RallyNorth.net

METHUEN, Mass. — It was mission accomplished for standout pitcher Sarra Bergeron and the rest of the Methuen seniors last night.

The Rangers have enjoyed fine seasons the last three years, winning 16 games each of the last two years, but the Methuen Invitational Tournament title had always eluded them. Last night, they made certain that the void would be filled, cruising to an 8-1 victory over North Andover at the Burnham Road softball complex.

North Andover pitchers walked 11 batters in the fourth and fifth innings alone, translating to nine runs for PMA which led to the Panthers' big 10-9 win. Chris Byron walked just three and struck out eight to earn the win.

With their fifth consecutive win the Triton Vikings (8-6, 8-1) moved into first place alone atop the CAL Division 1 standings shutting out North Andover, 8-0.

Kerri Carleton (1 for 2, 2 runs) had a brilliant game in the field at second base with a pair of diving plays as well as snagging a hard liner, according to coach Jim Hounam. Shelby DiFiore also had a nice day at the plate going 2 for 2 with a single and double, two runs, and an RBI. Marion Dulleau went the distance on the mound allowing only two hits and two walks to go with two strike outs.

Nicole Chevalier (2 for 3, double, HR) knocked in three RBIs and Tyne Dark (2 for 3) knocked in the other in a big top of the fourth in which the Sachems scored all their runs. But North Andover exploded in the fifth and sixth for eight runs to put the game away.

The Georgetown softball team continued its turnaround season with a huge 10-4 victory over North Andover. Pitcher Sarah Erlandson had another big game, picking up the win while scattering six hits and also was 3 for 3 at the plate, scoring three times and knocking in two. Sarah Osborne chipped in with three hits and three RBIs for the Royals (5-7).

North Andover senior standout Krissy Whitley made her first trip to the mound in her high school career a success in a 12-4 win over Manchester Essex. Whitley, who gave up four hits and only walked four while striking out three, was also 2 for 2 at the plate. Danielle Fournier was 3 for 4 with six RBIs.

Gwen Vozeolas couldn't have designed a better debut. In her first varsity game, the freshman was 3 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored and made a great running catch in the outfield in North Andover's 10-8 loss to Ipswich.

 Jackie Webber's 3 for 3, two-run effort keyed a big a win for Amesbury over rivals North Andover in what was a close game until the Indians exploded for five runs in the seventh. Michelle Ring (7 hits, 4 strike outs, 2 walks) went the distance on the mound for Amesbury and Ali French had two doubles and an RBI.

Jess Lambert tossed an eight-hit shutout as North Andover topped Rockport, 4-0. Lambert was impressive as she went the distance, striking out seven and walking zero.

North Andover fell hard to Beverly in softball 7-1 despite a mammoth homer by Candace Waldie and, in her varsity debut, two hits by freshman Angela Logomasini.