The magical run continues for the No. 9 Marblehead (21-4) softball team. The Magicians took the 50+ mile journey to the top-seeded Silver Lake Regional Lakers and came home with a 4-3 victory and a trip to the Final Four.
Tessa Francis got the nod in the circle and delivered with four strikeouts and the Magicians’ defense took care of the rest.
The Magicians got off to a strong start scoring two runs in the top of the first inning to put the pressure on Silver Lake, however, the Lakers responded and tied the game at two.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Lakers hit a shot to right field. Isabel Mortensen caught the ball and threw out the tagging runner to save Marblehead a run.
The Magicians found themselves trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning, but this team has trailed before and just like in the regular season, they found a way to win.
In the top of the fifth inning, Marblehead’s coach Johnny Gold called for a hit-and-run double steal with runners in scoring position. An error by a Lakers player allowed both runners to score to give Marblehead the 4-3 lead. A lead the Magicians never let up.
In addition to playing well on defense, Mortensen played well at the plate going 3-for-4 and two RBI. Tessa Andriano registered two RBI in addition to playing solid defense, specifically in the third inning.
The start of the season was hard on the Marblehead community and the softball team as longtime assistant coach, and best friend of Johnny Gold, Todd Norman passed away the morning of the Magicians first game. The team has been playing for Norman this season, and is one game away from the state championship.
“The way this year started with Todd passing away, it has been incredible playing in his memory and honor,” Gold said.
No. 9 Marblehead will have time to rest and await its next opponent. The Magicians will play the winner of No. 4 Westfield/No. 21 Notre Dame (Hingham) which is scheduled for Sunday.
BASEBALL
No. 2 Saint John’s 7
No. 7 St. John’s Prep 6
It was a heartbreaker for the Eagles as the Pioneers hit a walk-off single in the ninth inning to advance to the Final Four.
The Eagles found themselves down 0-2 after the third inning, but they battled back to take a 4-2 lead in the top of the fifth inning. However, the Pioneers scored two more runs to tie it in the bottom of the fourth.
The Prep, once again, found a way to lead taking a two-run advantage into the bottom of the seventh after a two-run home run from Nic Lembo. The Eagles were one out away, when the Pioneers hit a two-strike, two-out double to center field to tie and force extra innings.
Then in the ninth inning, a walk-off single up the middle brought home the run and ended the Eagles’ season.
