Post publication update:
#21 Lynnfield falls to #5 East Bridgewater, 3-0 in the MIAA Div. 4 state tournament Round of 16 (June 3)
To view the bracket, click here.
Published June 4, 2025
Hubbard’s homer the difference in softball team’s 5-4 state tournament win
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
THE PIONEERS celebrate Morgan Hubbard’s home run in the 5th inning of a 5-4 victory over Oxford on the road in the first round of the Div. 4 state tournament. Hubbard’s homer broke a 4-4 tie and ended up being the game-winner. (Courtesy Photo)
OXFORD — On May 30, the Lynnfield High softball team traveled out west to take on Oxford in an MIAA Division 4 first round game.
The Pioneers came home with a thrilling, 5-4, upset win.
Morgan Hubbard was the hero in this one as, with the scored tied at four, she hit a home run in the top of the fifth inning.
“That was the longest ball I have ever seen hit,” said Pioneers head coach Hector Longo. “There is no fence in left field and that ball must have traveled 250 feet.”
Olivia Kelter homered to right to lead the game off. However, the Pirates scored twice in the first and twice more in the bottom of the second inning to go up by three.
Lynnfield tied it with three runs in the top of the fourth.
Angela O’Hara and Gia Gagnon both singled. Libby Considine then bunted and a wild throw to first went into right field allowing two runs to score. Eventually, Considine scored on a wild pitch from third to tie the game.
Gagnon was the winning pitcher in relief as she went the final five innings. The junior gave up one earned run, three hits, three walks and struck out six.
Lilly Gately was the starter going the first two innings giving up two runs.
“That was our play replacing Lily after two innings so they wouldn’t get to face her again,” said Longo. “It worked out well for us. Gagnon started off slow in the third but settled in nicely.”
Gagnon improved to 6-8 in the circle with that win helped by key plays by the defense.
“Our defense played great,” stated Longo, as the Pioneers only committed one error.
“Hubbard made a great catch at short and (Kaila) George made a diving catch in the fifth in center that might have turned into a home run.”
With the victory, the 21st-seeded Pioneers improved to 11-10. The 12th-seeded Pirates, meanwhile ended up at 14-7.
Lynnfield visited East Bridgewater in the Round of 16 game on Tuesday (result not available at press time).
East Bridgewater entered that game with a record of 17-4 as they as they are seeded 5th. The winner will move onto the quarterfinals where they will play the winner of No. 4 Joseph Case vs. No. 13 Gardner.