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Salem outlasts Alvirne in 13 innings

Monday, June, 09 By Peter A. Martin
Staff writer

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.

"It was a great game," said Salem head coach Harold Sachs. "We are so proud of the kids, they had some adversity and a few innings where it looked like we were cooked, but they did it."

The game finally ended when Katie Bettencourt thumped the first pitch she saw up the middle past the dive of the second baseman and into the gap in right-center for a double, scoring Jade Morrison from first.

"I am just very emotional right now," said Bettencourt through tears of joy after the game. "That was such a long game and I am just so happy we won."

Another hero for the Blue Devils was Alex Gallant. She started the game going nine-plus innings, striking out 13, scattering four hits and walking none. It was her second consecutive start that she fanned 13 and her longest appearance ever.

But her biggest contribution came after she had been replaced on the mound by Erin Lyons.

With one out and a runner on second in the top of the 13th, she caught a fly ball in right field and fired a one hopper to third base, beating the tagging runner to end what would be No. 8 Alvirne's last offensive opportunity.

"That is the first time I have ever thrown someone out on a fly ball," said an exhausted Gallant. "When I came down with it, my only thought was please throw her out."

Lyons earned the win for Salem, allowing just one hit in four innings while striking out three. The only time she was tested was the ninth. She came on with nobody out and a runner on first. After a sacrifice bunt from Tess Brun and a walk, she loaded the bases with an intentional walk.

A powerful four-pitch strikeout and a pop fly to right field got her out of the inning.

"I was really nervous when I came in," said Lyons. "I was shaking a little bit. I didn't really settle down until I came back out for a fresh inning."

Alvirne's Brun went all 12<1/3> innings, striking out seven and scattering seven hits.

In the semifinals, Salem will face fifth-seeded Dover on Wednesday at 7 p.m. here at Memorial Field. The Green Wave beat Manchester West 4-3 and Manchester Memorial 4-0 to get this far. In their only meeting this year, the Blue Devils beat Dover 1-0 on May 2.

"We know what Dover is," said Gallant. "They pitch really well and have a very strong defense so we'll be ready."