On Monday afternoon the Saugus High softball team lost at Danvers, 11-2. The game was actually a lot closer than the final score would indicate. Saugus led early, 2-1, and the score was tied at two before the mighty Falcons erupted for six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to pull away.
“They are an excellent team,” admitted Sachems’ Head Coach Jessica Lucier. “They are very fundamentally sound.”
The Sachems scored their first run on an error and the second one on an a RBI fielder’s choice by Stefani Terrazzano.
Sachems’ pitcher Meghan Molloy fell to 7-7 as she pitched all six innings. The junior gave up seven earned runs, 12 hits, and six walks and struck out one.
Saugus offense had six hits: Freshman Jessica Allen was the team’s lone multiple hitter, going 2 for 3.
The Sachems record fell to 7-8 overall. The news was much better last Thursday afternoon, because the Sachems won at Pope John, 15-0, in a five-inning mercy-rule game. “We knew how important this game was for us with the record we have,” pointed out Lucier.
Molloy tossed the shutout, going all five innings. She gave up just one hit and one walk and struck out nine.
The Sachems’ offense pounded out 15 hits of Tiger pitching. Terrazzano led the way, going a perfect 3 for 3 with three runs batted in. Amanda DiCenzo and Emily McBride both went 2 for 2. DiCenzo had two RBIs, while McBride had one RBI and drew two walks: She reached base all four times she was up. Gabby Cogliano was 2 for 4 with one RBI. Jess Napoli and Kara Donati both had RBI singles.
The big innings for the Sachems came in the top of the second, when they plated five runs, and the top of the fourth when they scored six times.
After the loss to Danvers, the Sachems need to go at least 3-2 in their final three games of the season in order to qualify for the Division 2 North state tournament.
On Saturday afternoon it is Senior Day as Marblehead comes to town for a 2 p.m. start. Sunday morning at 9 the Sachems host a doubleheader against Manchester-Essex.
If the Sachems can reach the States, they will find our next Tuesday whom they will play in the opening round and probably start next Thursday.