After press time:
Lynnfield defeats Triton 4-2 (May 3)
Lynnfid defeats Ipswich 15-3 (May 1)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
WEST NEWBURY — On Monday afternoon, the Lynnfield High softball team was edged, 2-0, by host Pentucket up in West Newbury on a partly sunny, mild day.
With that defeat, the Pioneers’ record dropped to 3-6 overall and 1-5 in the Cape Ann League. Meanwhile, the Panthers improved to 7-1 overall and 6-0 in the league.
The Pioneer offense struggled against Panther star pitcher Molly LeBel as she gave up only four hits and struck out nine.
“She was fast and we couldn’t catch up to her,” said Pioneers head coach Hector Longo, about the junior.
Pentucket scored single runs in the second and third innings off pitcher, senior captain Sophia Brown. Brown went all six innings. She gave up two runs, five hits, three walks and struck out five.
“She was tremendous,” said Longo, about the senior co-captain. “She kept us in the game against a very good team.”
The four Lynnfield hits were by senior captain Ava Gamache, junior Morgan Hubbard, sophomore Lily Williams and senior captain Catie Kampersal.
On April 25, the Pioneers lost at home to rival North Reading 11-3 in a contest that was closer than the final score would indicate.
In this game, the Pioneers only trailed 4-3 heading into the sixth inning. However, the Hornets plated five runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh.
“They are a very good team that hit the ball well in the sixth inning,” said Longo.
Brown went five-plus innings allowing seven earned runs, 14 hits, no walks and she fanned three.
Sophomore Gia Gagnon pitched the sixth and seventh innings, allowing two earned runs.
Lynnfield had six hits led by junior Kaila George who went 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Kampersal had an RBI on a bases-loaded walk.
On April 24, the Pioneers won, 15-8, at Hamilton-Wenham.
Offense was the story of this game as the Pioneers had 11 hits. Hubbard led the attack going 3 for 4 with three runs scored and one RBI.
Sophomore Olivia Kelter was the team’s other multiple hitter going 2 for 4 with one RBI.
Williams had a three-run homer in the fifth while Gamache and George were both 1- for-4 with one RBI.
Junior Libby Considine was 1-for-2 with two walks and one RBI while Brown added a two-run single.
“When we hit like that we can be a dangerous team,” said Longo.
Brown went all seven innings, giving up just one earned run as the defense committed five errors. She allowed eight hits, four walks and struck out five.
On May 1, the Pioneers host Ipswich. They then visit Triton on May 3 up in Byfield.
Newburyport then visits on May 6. All three of those games will start at 4 p.m.