LYNN — On a hot spring day – you know the kind – Lynn English’s softball team had it going in a 16-1 win against Lynn Tech at Breed Middle School.
The Bulldogs honored their seniors pregame and all of them got on base Friday.
“There’s usually one senior who doesn’t get to hit during the game, but we got everyone to hit today,” said English Coach Ashley Aldred. “It was nice to see some of the kids that don’t often get chances to hit come through.”
English found the scoreboard first in the opening inning. Senior LeaNyah Pineiro got on base with a walk. From there, Pineiro stole second and a poor throw into the outfield helped bring her all the way home.
The Bulldogs posted four runs in the first inning before adding seven more in the second inning.
English was sound defensively, too. Sophomore pitcher Annika Johansson was in the circle and allowed just two hits.
“Annika pitched extremely well. She was being consistent and putting it over the plate and making her defense make plays behind her,” Aldred said. “She is the type of pitcher who, in the circle, you can’t really tell if she’s losing or winning, so that demeanor is nice to see from her.”
Although a tough loss, Tech Coach Beth Mercaldi has enjoyed the progress her team has made since the first day of tryouts.
“They’re really responding to the things they’re learning at practice and looking good. They definitely have the potential,” Mercaldi said. “I’m hoping to get them all back next year. We carried a JV team this year, so I got to call some of those players up and let them get in.”
At the end of the game, Aldred praised her seniors who have helped shape the program. They are Pineiro, Kate Johansson, Saniya Patton, Gracie Mulloy, Anayah Guy, and Ariana Reynoso.
“They’ve been a core part of this program for the last four years. They were sophomores when we made it to the state tournament a couple of years ago,” Aldred said. “They’ve brought the playing level of Lynn English softball up. I’m definitely going to miss them.”
Mercaldi praised her assistant coaches – Shannon Calnan, DJ Raymond, and Abby Fila – for their contributions.
“We have a great coaching staff. We connect with KIPP, too, and have a few players from over there that weren’t here tonight, unfortunately,” Mercaldi said. “My assistants are doing a tremendous job with drills and training the team. It’s really beginning to show and we just need to put it all together.”
The Bulldogs have a chance to qualify for the Division 1 state tournament, but will need to win out.
“We win out, and we make the state tournament,” Aldred said. “We should be all right in our next two games, but then we play Medford, which is at the top of our league, and then Swampscott. We just want to compete in every inning and see if we can get it done.”
