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Amesbury returns to Division 2 North semifinal after one-year hiatus

Monday, June, 02 By Dan Guttenplan
Sports editor

CONCORD | For years, the Amesbury softball team could be counted on for an annual appearance in the EMass. Division 2 North semifinal.

Chris Perry's arrival in 1985 cemented the school's status as a perennial softball contender. Four state titles and 16 Cape Ann League titles followed.

But last year the Indians took an exit in the Division 2 North quarterfinal, marking the first time since 2002 they failed to reach the semifinal. This year's team, after losing two of its last three regular-season games, seemed destined for the same fate.

Instead, No. 8 seed Amesbury eliminated top-seeded Concord-Carlisle yesterday, 7-6, in nine innings, earning a berth in tomorrow's semifinal against No. 5 Stoneham.

"You never know," Perry said yesterday. "The last week, we really stumbled into the end of the year. It's hard to tell how a team will do in the tournament. But we've beaten two tough teams, and we have another one (tomorrow). Hopefully these good teams bring out the best in us."

Amesbury junior Gabby Magnifico delivered the knockout blow, knocking in a run with a one-out single in the top of the ninth. The hit, which scored Laura Kaminski, snapped three innings of scoreless softball.

The Indians (17-5) needed a four-run rally in the sixth to push the game into extra innings. With Amesbury trailing 6-2 after five innings, Abby Pare sparked the rally with a leadoff single. Kelsy Fournier followed with a single before Katie Hathaway walked to load the bases. Anna Webber picked up an RBI with a walk. Fournier then scored on a wild pitch, before Kaminski delivered an RBI single.

"We played some small ball," Perry said. "Their pitcher struggled with her control, and we put some things together. It was really remarkable to get back into the game."

Amesbury found itself in that predicament due to a five-run fifth-inning rally by Concord-Carlisle (20-2). Amesbury ace Jordan Oliva (9 innings, 3 earned runs, 6 hits, 4 strike outs) was relatively dominant the rest of the game, allowing a total of one run over the other eight innings.

"When you think about it, they only scored in two innings," Perry said. "She did a good job. She kept us in the game."

Fournier also belted a two-run home run in the fourth. Magnifico, Kaminski, Abby Pare and Fournier had two hits each.

The Indians will play Stoneham, a team from the Middlesex League, at Martin Park in Lowell.

"I know they're a very good hitting team," Perry said. "They're from a tough, tough league, and they've already won two tournament games. So we expect to see another difficult opponent. Division 2 North is a really tough division this year."