RallyNorth.net

Gritty Marblehead prevails in nine innings

Saturday, May, 17 By Nick Curcuru
Correspondent

MARBLEHEAD | It was a great softball game.

That's all that Marblehead coach Johnny Gold could say after his team's 12-11 extra innings thriller over Gloucester yesterday and he could not have been more right.

The battle between the two Northeastern Conference powerhouses had a little bit of everything. There was strong hitting, solid defense and some clutch pitching.

Gloucester came back from down two runs in the seventh inning to send it to extra innings on Lani Gannon's two-run home run, only to see the Magicians come back from down three runs in the ninth inning to win on Silvie Cohen's RBI single scoring Hannah Pelley.

"There really isn't much more to say other than it was a great game," Gold said. "Two good teams showed what they were made of and battled to the end."

The Fishermen (9-8) have not been able to catch a break lately, dropping four straight and five of their last six games. Despite playing good softball, Gloucester has not been able to close out their opponents during this tough stretch.

"We haven't been playing poorly, we have just dropped a lot of competitive games," Ferguson said of the team's struggles. "This team is always thinking positive and they have a lot of heart, if we keep doing what we have been doing the wins will come."

It was looking good for the Fishermen early on as they jumped out to a 6-1 lead. Gloucester's Olivia Frontiero made it 3-0 in the top of the first after delivering a three-run blast scoring Alysha Clayton who walked and Jill Lukegord who reached on an error. Gloucester made it 4-0 in the second when Lukegord singled in Kelly Benson who reached on an error.

The Magicians (10-5) cut the lead to 4-1 in the second on a Pelley solo shot but the Fishermen would add two more in the top of the third when Ali Kippen scored on a bases loaded walk. Clayton then singled in Gannon who walked to make it 6-1.

Marblehead responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the third. Ashley White doubled in Silvie Cohen to make it 6-2. Sam Norman singled in Kate Fallon who doubled and White to make it 6-4. After tying the score at six in the fifth, Norman would deliver a two-run blast to center to put the Magicians up 8-6.

Just when it seemed like the Magicians had the game secured, Gannon delivered a two-out two-run homer to tie the score at eight in the top of the seventh.

The Fishermen took the lead in the top half of the ninth when Addy Blakeley singled in Kippen who walked and Nicole Whipple who singled. Benson drove in Blakeley one batter later to make it 11-8 Gloucester.

Marblehead, however, would just not go away. After loading up the bases, Pelley delivered a two-run single to pull the Magicians within one. They would tie it one batter later when Paula Kannarski came in to score on a safety squeeze. Cohen then delivered the game-winner one batter later.

"We battled back when we were down 6-1 by getting a few big home runs, then Gloucester battled back," Gold said. "Fortunately we were able to come out with a win, but hats off to Gloucester they are a tough team and they fought us tooth and nail."

Whipple led the Fishermen offense with four hits. The Magicians had four players with two hits.

Gloucester will now hope to clinch a spot in the state tournament when it hosts Swampscott on Monday. Ferguson hopes her team keeps up their positive attitude.

"This team has bounced back really well this season," Ferguson said. "Even though we are on a losing-streak, we could have won most of those games with a break here and there."