RallyNorth.net

Coach Dan Bertone isn't about to make excuses, but his Salem High team would be the winner of the Hard Luck Award if such a thing existed.

The Witches (5-9) have lost three games by a run and two others by two runs. If they had been a little more fortunate, they would be a .500 team and scuffling to make the state tourney for the first time since 2000.

Freshman Sarah Chasse threw a complete game gem, allowing only one run and four hits, to stop the Bulldogs 2-1. Jen Nguyen scored on a Suzy Barnes single in the first and added an RBI single which brought Julia Jennings home in the second as the Witches (5-8) led 2-0 early and held on thanks to Chasse's effort and outstanding defense from shortstop Ashley White and second baseman Kelly McCarthy.

SALEM | Marblehead High ace pitcher Courtney Colantuno strapped an ice pack on her right shoulder immediately after last night's game. She needed it.

Colantuno & Co. have played three games in three days and, in terms of competitiveness, the Salem Witches have played them as tough as anybody else in the Northeastern Conference. Fortunately for the Magicians, they had more than the usual incentive as the players' mothers rode the bus with the team to Mack Park for the second straight year. Marblehead is 2-0 in those games.

Jennifer Nguyen got the Witches (3-3) started with a lead-off homer and Jill Robinson and Erica Mendez also knocked in runs as Salem prevailed 4-2. Freshman Sarah Chasse was spotless after allowing two first inning runs, going the distance with five strikeouts to nab her third win of the year.

Tawny Palmieri blasted a solo shot to the opposite field for the only runs of the afternoon as the Tanners (3-0) survived Salem (2-3), 1-0, to stay unbeaten. The Witches' Sarah Chasse, a freshman, shined with a complete game, three-hit effort but the Salem offense couldn't muster any runs despite putting runners on second and third twice.

Last year's record: 8-12

Coach: Dan Bertone (5th season)

Returning players: Susie Barnes, Sr., CF; Jennifer Nguyen, Sr., C; Lisette Reynault, Sr., 1B; Ashley White, Jr., SS; Kelley McCarthy, Jr., 2B; Jessica Ngo, Jr., LF; Maggy Duffy, Jr., INF/OF; Jillian Robinson, Jr., INF/OF.

Salem freshman Sarah Chasse celebrated her varsity softball debut with a near no-hitter, struck out nine and walked two as the Witches routed Somerville, 11-1, in their season opener at Mack Park. Chasse was two outs from a no-hitter, giving up a single that was the only ball that Somerville hit to the outfield.