LYNN — The Lynn Wyoma Major Softball team grabbed a win from the jaws of defeat against Worcester’s Joe Schwartz 4-3 in a sectional matchup at Lynn Woods Field Tuesday.
Lynn Wyoma Coach Jason Newhall says that his team came out with some nerves but, in the end, were able to pick up a big win.
“We came out in the first inning; they were nervous, that is what happens, but they hung in there. Like I just told them, we did not get a lot accomplished tonight, but we got it done,” said Newhall.
The nerves on the Lynn Wyoma side were easy to see as Joe Schwartz’s first two batters, Clara Lee and Charlotte Rose, reached base. The next batter Caroline Kreuz hit a short infield pop-up that was missed, bringing home two runs for Joe Schwartz in the top of the first.
By the bottom of the second, Joe Schwartz had taken a 3-0 lead after a passed ball, digging Lynn Wyoma into a challenging hole.
To make matters even worse for Lynn Wyoma, Joe Schwartz’s pitcher Finley Bailey played lights out. She was untouchable and struck out the first six batters she faced.
On Bailey’s performance, Joe Schwartz’s Coach Sean Lee said, “She had an amazing game. We came down to the final three outs; fantastic.”
As the game continued, there was not much life in Lynn Wyoma’s bats, but that changed in the bottom of the fourth when they finally got on the board. After Gwen Protz walked and stole second on a passed ball, Kaylee DiNicola drove her in on a rocket to center field to make the game 3-1.
Finally, there was a chink in Bailey’s armor as to that point. She had amassed an unbelievable 10 strikeouts. Then it was time for the pitcher on the other side, Adyson Newhall, to step up, and she did.
Throughout the entire game, especially the fifth and sixth innings, Newhall came up clutch not only on the mound but also in the batter’s box. She held Joe Schwartz scoreless for the final four innings and put her team in position for the comeback.
A comeback is precisely what happened. In the bottom of the sixth down to its final out, Lynn Wyoma’s bats caught fire.
After Protz was hit by a pitch and DiNicola walked, Newhall came to the plate. Newhall helped herself out and was clutch hitting a 2 RBI double to tie the game apiece at three.
On his daughter’s performance and heroics, Newhall said, “She kept us in it. She held her composure okay. Once she got the jitters out of the way, I was happy to see her get the hit.”
Following Newhall’s double, Jianny Bernabel sealed the deal for Lynn Wyoma with a walk-off single, and pinch runner Emma Pento scored from third after advancing on a passed ball.
On the loss, Lee says there are positives his team will be able to take from such a heartbreaking loss.
“We left some kids on base; our bats were not where we wanted them to be. We were not swinging when we should have been. A lot of strike three-looking calls,” said Lee.
He added, “At the end of the game — when it mattered — those kids’ bats came alive, so you take the positives from there; it is all positive. It is about the kids.”
While Newhall feels his girls are settling into sectional matchups against new opponents, he said, “Hopefully, the jitters are gone, but you know Tiger Woods still gets nervous, so I think these girls can.”
