LYNN — The Lynn English softball team had only four base hits, but made the most of them, defeating visiting Lynn Tech 17-5 in five innings Thursday afternoon at Breed Middle School to pick up its first win of the season.
Bulldogs leadoff hitter Cassandra Miranda had a big day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a three-run triple, a double and two runs scored. Tech’s Juju Gerardo also shined, going 2-for-3 with an RBI, a double and a run scored.
Tech (2-5) got off to a promising start, taking a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning, the big hit being a two-out, inside-the-park grand slam by eighth grade pitcher Suriyah Ray.
After that, however, it was all English, which scored eight runs in the bottom of the second, then closed out the win with nine more in the fifth.
“It feels really great,” Lynn English coach Bri Skinner said. “It was great to rebound from yesterday, and the girls really came together. We were excited to have them come out and be ready to play.”
“Their pitcher (Annika Johannson) was great today,” Lynn Tech coach Beth Mercaldi said. “I’ve known her for a long time. She’s a very good pitcher, so we knew what to expect, but our kids just kind of lost it. They really had a great start and then a great opportunity to add more in the second, but we were just not able to get anything going after that.”
The Tigers wasted no time getting on the board, taking advantage of four walks and an infield hit to set the stage for Ray. Emily Cook led off with a walk and scored on an infield hit by Gerardo. Keila McGregor and Reigh Comeau walked to load the bases. Ray followed with a blast to the fence in left to put the Tigers on top, 5-0.
“That was beautiful,” Mercaldi said of Ray’s slam.
The Bulldogs turned the tables in the bottom of the second inning. They sent 12 batters to the plate, eight of whom scored. With one out, Adriana Martins (1-for-2, 2 R) walked, stole second and scored on a wild pitch. After consecutive walks to Isabela Veilleux (3 R), Melanie Pimentel (3 R) and Lacey Marshall, Miranda cleared the bases with a long triple to the fence in center field and scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at 5-5.
Yen Reyes (2 R) walked and scored on a wild pitch. Amelia Serino (1-for-3, 2 R) was hit by a pitch and scored on another wild pitch. Johannson (2 R) followed with a walk and scored on Erin Furlong’s groundout to short to make it 8-5, Bulldogs.
Johannson (5 IP, 3 H, 7 K, 5 BB) put it on cruise control over the final three innings, allowing just three Tigers to reach base.
It all fell apart for the Tigers in the bottom of the fifth when, without the benefit of a hit, English added nine more runs to trigger the 12-run mercy rule.
Skinner highlighted the pitching of Johannson.
“We’ve been in that position (down early) before, which is kind of a good experience but also a bad experience at the same time, so it was good that my pitcher bore down in the circle and didn’t walk too many batters after that first inning, which was huge,” Skinner said. “I think we also capitalized on offense and took advantage of good baserunning.”
The Bulldogs are back in action Monday at home against Lynn Classical at 5:30 p.m.
“It’s going to be a tough game, but if we come out and compete like we did today, we’ll be able to compete and just see what happens,” Skinner said.
Lynn Tech is back in action on Tuesday against Mystic Valley Charter at Barry Park with first pitch slated for 4 p.m.
“We lost 8-5 to them earlier this year, so we know what to expect,” Mercaldi said. “Their pitcher graduated last year, but we gave them a run. They have a great coach over there, so it should be a good competition. We are giving them a day off tomorrow because we’ve been at this every day for a while now. We’ll go back to work Monday and work hard to be ready for Tuesday.”
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
