LYNNFIELD — With a new coach, an abundance of players capable of playing multiple positions, and plenty of pitching, things are looking up for Lynnfield’s softball team.
Last year’s team finished the regular season 10-10, earning the No. 21 seed in the Div. 4 state tournament. The Pioneers upset No. 12 Oxford 5-4 in the Round of 32, only to be eliminated in the Sweet 16 by No. 5 East Bridgewater 3-0.
This year’s roster is robust with 16 players — some of whom will swing to the junior varsity squad from time to time.
The Pioneers took advantage of favorable weather conditions with scrimmages against Wakefield and Melrose on Saturday. Head coach Andrew Delani, who has been with the program for two years as a varsity assistant and JV2 coach, liked what he saw.
“I loved everything; we had high energy,” he said. “Everyone was chattering and creating energy defensively, offensively. It was a collective group today. When we finished an inning, there were congratulations all around. The team is already looking great.”
While the Pioneers return 13 players from last year’s squad, they have some big holes to fill, having lost three infielders and a centerfielder to graduation. The biggest losses were two-year Cape Ann League First Team All-Star and shortstop Morgan Hubbard, who led the team in hitting last year (.472), as well as CAL Second Team All-Star center fielder Kaila George.
The good news: Senior Olivia Kelter has slid to short from third.
“The middle of the field is an important spot to cover,” Delani said. “Olivia moving from third to short certainly plugs one of those gaps and, after that, it’s the next person up.”
“I’m very excited to move to shortstop and very happy to take the position,” Kelter said.
Kelter, alongside fellow seniors Gia Gagnon and Lily Williams, will serve as captains. Gagnon will see action in right field and the circle, while Williams will see action as catcher and third baseman. Senior second baseman/right fielder Mallory DiSilvio also returns.
Junior returners include first baseman Faith Angelo, shortstop/third baseman Serena Long, first baseman/third baseman Chloe Bergeron, third baseman/left fielder Chloe McEwen, and second baseman Stefi Bonavita.
Sophomore returners include third baseman/left fielder Angelina O’Hara, second baseman/shortstop/outfielder Maggie Pavao, center fielder Ava Ragusa, and outfielder/pitcher Lilly Gately.
New to the team are sophomore outfielder Lucia Palmer, freshman catcher/first baseman Cassie Angilly, and freshman second baseman/shortstop/pitcher Emma Esposito.
Kelter thinks the strength of the team will be defense and pitching.
“I think our strength is going to be defense and we are pretty deep in pitching with Gia, Lily, and Emma,” Kelter said. “Our pitching looks very, very put together and we also have a few power hitters. Most of the girls played last year, so I see us playing very well as a team. I think we are filling those holes and have done a good job communicating. Communication is one of the biggest things we are focused on.”
Williams looks forward to working with Delani.
“I see us as a good team working together,” she said. “I think he’ll ask us for input on a lot of things so we can be open with each other and really communicate what’s going on and, so far, that’s how it’s gone. I believe that one of our strengths is our ability to communicate and our cohesiveness.”
With Delani in place and a handful of returners, Gagnon believes the Pioneers are primed for a run.
“Our team does look really good,” she said. “We had a pretty big turnout, so the program is really growing a lot from last year. All the girls who played last year are getting better and practices are already paying off. I think we have a lot of talent, so I think it’s going to be a good year. … I love Coach Delani. He was a great assistant coach last year and he looks like a great head coach this year, so I’m really happy.”
As far as the league goes, Delani believes the Pioneers need to be ready for every game.
“Our league is strong, so we’re not going to take anything for granted,” he said. “We need to transition from what we do at practice every day to game day and, hopefully, the confidence and execution will translate to the game.”
The Pioneers begin March 31 against Marblehead. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. in Lynnfield.
