PEABODY — They may not have won the tournament, but the Bishop Fenwick softball players were winners where it counted most Saturday at the 2nd Annual Emily Shann Memorial Softball Tournament.
Shann was only 15 when she was killed in a tragic accident last April. Her family and friends have honored her memory with the establishment of the tournament to raise money for a scholarship fund in her name.
“The tournament is a bittersweet way to honor Emily and remember her every year,” Crusaders’ head coach Brian Seabury said. “It’s a nice day, but it’s mixed emotions for everybody, especially Emily’s sister, Sarah, who had some big hits today. She’s a nice, tough kid and she had a nice day as well, so I am happy for her. She’s still only a freshman and is learning on the job, but is doing a great job.”
Fenwick dropped the opening game to Danvers, 14-11, but rebounded to take the consolation game against Masconomet, 10-1.
Freshman Viv Fortin went the distance in the circle. She tossed a four-hitter, striking out four and walking just two.
“She pitched strikes and did a great job,” Seabury said. “She only walked a couple the whole game and, to be in that spot today, she did a nice job. It was nice. The kids made some plays and she threw strikes and didn’t compound things with walking, walking, walking.”
Fenwick took the lead for good in the third inning, the big hits being a two-run single from Elizabeth Dumas (1-for-2, run) and a solo shot from Val Tate (1-for-3, run), who also hit a grand slam in Game 1 against Danvers. The Crusaders took advantage of five walks and sent 11 batters to the plate in the fourth, six of them scoring, to build a 10-0 lead. Sofia Longo (2-for-4, run, RBI) and Alyssa Butler (1-for-2, 2 RBI) came up clutch with an RBI single and 2-run double, respectively.
Katy O’Brien (1-for-1, run), Ava Divola (2-for-2, run), Gabriella Maiuri (1-for-3) and Kaylee Sjursen (2 runs) also helped the cause.
Tate’s efforts earned her the Crusaders’ tournament game ball.
“What can you say? Two home runs. Eight RBI. Terrific in the field. She just had a great day,” Seabury said. “We also were able to get some JV kids in the game, so that was good. It was nice for them to see a different level.”
Seabury highlighted the play of the outfielders.
“The O’Briens did a really nice job in the field with some great catches in left (Katy) and right (Natasha),” Seabury said. “Val did a great job in center and with the bat as well.”
Fenwick was in cruise control during the opening game, carrying an 11-7 lead into the final two innings, thanks in large part to a clutch, two-out grand slam from Tate in the bottom of the fifth that capped an eight-run explosion that broke a 7-7 tie.
The Falcons took the lead for good with a solo run in the top of the sixth and six more in the seventh to seal a 14-11 win.
The damage could have been much worse but for a bang-bang, inning-ending double play pulled off by Tate in center and catcher Lola Amendolare. With the bases loaded, Tate caught a routine fly ball and fired a perfect strike to home where Amendolare slapped the tag on a Falcons’ base runner attempting to score from third.
The win punched Danvers’ ticket to the championship game against Arlington Catholic, won by AC, 14-8.
Fenwick closes out the season Monday against Cardinal Spellman at 10 a.m.
“We haven’t seen them, but I expect they’ll bring a game similar to Arlington Catholic,” Seabury said. “We just have to do what we do and play good defense. We need to throw strikes and let them hit the ball and make plays. We’ve been swinging the bats well. Pitching has been more difficult, but it is what it is. We’re doing the best we can.”
Seabury said that while the 2024 season was difficult due to the fact that the team was barred from postseason play, he is looking forward to next year when the Crusaders can compete for a state championship.
“It’s been tough for everyone, most importantly for the kids,” he said. “I’m looking forward to being able to check the Tuesday and Friday power rankings and see Fenwick’s name again. It’s been really tough for all of us not to have the tournament in the picture. I’ve always enjoyed scouting teams to see where we’re at, so it will be nice to be in that position next year. The kids always look forward to it, so it’s been especially tough for them. Winning the second game today was good for them and they can carry that forward.”
