RallyNorth.net

Emotions were high, for a change, on the Timberlane side in yesterday afternoon's Class L championship game at Memorial Field.

Other than high-charged coach Mike Sorter, the Owls have been considered a low-key and business-like team this year. But they were far more vocal when the state title was on the line yesterday. More cheers, louder voices and fists pumping were more the norm than the exception in the 1-0 victory over Salem.

There's no substitute for experience when you go deep into a tournament. The Salem softball team proved that again last night in its Class L semifinal matchup with Dover.

Although Salem is loaded with youngsters, veteran coach Harold Sachs knew that he'd need big efforts from his three senior starters if the No. 1-seed Blue Devils (now 20-3) wanted to advance to their third straight state championship game. In a tenuous 2-1 victory, that's exactly what he got.

It took nearly two full games, but Salem advanced past Alvirne 1-0 in 13 innings in the quarterfinals of the Class L tournament last night.

The victory moves the No. 1 seed Blue Devils one step closer to earning a third straight Class L title and ninth in the last 11 years.

Even though it was a milestone for him, Londonderry coach Wayne MacDougall tried to downplay yesterday's 4-2 victory over two-time defending Class L champion Salem.

Although it was his first win over Salem in 12 years as head coach, MacDougall stressed that "it's only April," and that it'd be much more important later in the season.

Perhaps it wasn't too much of a sacrifice, but both Salem senior Erin Lyons and Methuen junior Sarra Bergeron have learned that patience can indeed be a virtue.

For different reasons, both have been more in the background the last two years, but they are now among the better pitchers in the region and vital members of two of the better teams.

It may be April, but you would have been hard-pressed to convince members of the undefeated Timberlane softball team of that yesterday afternoon.

And it wasn't because of the sunny 75-degree weather, either.

2007 record: 23-1, Class L champs

Returning starters (7): Alex Gallant, Sr., P/OF; Katie Bettencourt, Sr., C; Danielle Stoodley, Sr., 1B/OF; Erin Lyons, Sr., P; Erica DePinto, Jr., OF; Jen Cabral, Jr., P/INF; Julia Gray, Soph., OF