LYNN — After a 13-8 record last spring, the Lynn Classical softball team is ready for the start of the season and looks to improve on last year with hopes of making the Division 2 playoffs again. Head coach Joe Morin is excited about the season and believes his team’s depth will be the difference for the Rams.
“The first few weeks have been very positive. We return seven or eight girls who started a lot of games for us last year. We have a lot of experience returning, which is good,” Morin said. “We had 30 girls come out, and 27 ended up staying. We’ll have a JV team for the first time in a few years.”
Lynn Classical’s first game against Wayland was postponed due to weather, but the Rams were still able to play two scrimmages.
“We had two scrimmages. We scrimmaged Minuteman and Beverly, and I thought we were more advanced and further along than I expected at this stage of the season,” Morin said.
Some key returners this year are Brooke Braswell and Emma Chevalier, two of the team’s top hitters.
“Brooke Braswell and Emma Chevalier are both four-year starters and are very good offensively. I have two really good sophomores in Mia Duncan and Chloe Corbett, who both started last year and hit over .300. We have a very good core at the top of the lineup that can hit the ball well,” Morin said. “I think this year we’re deeper one through nine in the batting order than we’ve been in the last few years. I think you’ll see our eight and nine hitters driving the ball into the gaps and being more aggressive at the plate.”
In addition to Braswell and Chevalier, Aysia Olaes was named a captain to lead the group.
“They bring a lot of experience. All three are captains. Brooke and Emma were captains of the volleyball team, and Aysia was the cheerleading captain. That experience of being in a program and knowing how to lead is beneficial,” Morin said. “I think our program and Chris LeBlanc’s volleyball program are pretty similar. Brooke and Emma have both won playoff games with me, and they also won playoff games with Chris in the last two years. I think they understand what it takes to be a good team. All three also know how to communicate with their teammates to make sure they’re getting the best out of everyone.”
Morin mentioned underclassmen Duncan and Corbett, who he believes are primed for big seasons on offense and defense.
“Chloe Corbett hit .325 last year and played a lot of center field for us. She’s really fast, and she got a lot of reps this summer,” Morin said. “Mia Duncan caught and played third last year. This year she’ll play shortstop. Shortstop is a big hole we need to fill because last year we had the GBL MVP in Nevaeh Eth. Mia hit over .300 last year, and I’m looking forward to seeing what she can do.”
Nine freshmen tried out for the team, with four potentially earning varsity minutes, according to Morin. One freshman to watch is Olivia Rodriguez.
“I have a freshman named Olivia Rodriguez who will bat fifth, play in the field and also pitch,” Morin said. “Having a freshman pitcher is always nice. She’s going to compete with Aysia for innings this year. She’ll have an impact this season, but over the course of her high school career, she has the potential to be a dominant pitcher in our league.”
The Rams have their first game at home on Monday when they host Revere at 4:15 p.m.
