Updates after press time:
May 12, 2025 (win) – Lynnfield 12, Boston Latin Academy 1
May 10, 2025 (loss) – Lynnfield 11, Essex Tech 12
May 7, 2025 (win) – Lynnfield 5, Manchester Essex Regional High School 3
THE PIONEERS have won three of their last four games, moving up in the Div. 4 power rankings from 27 to 23 in one week. (Courtesy Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — On Monday afternoon, the Lynnfield High softball team belted visiting Newburyport, 19-1, in a five-inning mercy-rule game.
This game was supposed to have been played in Newburyport but, due to the wet conditions, was moved to Lynnfield since it has the field turf surface. Newbuyport was still the host team and batted last.
“We took advantage of their pitching,” said Pioneers head coach Hector Longo, as Lynnfield had more walks (12) than hits (11).
Olivia Kelter was a perfect 2 for 2 at the dish with one walk, two runs batted in a she also scored three times.
Kaila George was 2 for 4 with two runs scored and one RBI while Morgan Hubbard was also 2 for 4 with one RBI and three runs scored.
Lilly Gately was the winning pitcher going all five innings to go to 3-2 in the circle. She gave up one earned run, two hits, three walks and she struck out eight.
The Pioneers improved to 5-6 overall and 5-5 in the Cape Ann League with the win.
Last Saturday morning, the Pioneers beat Triton, 6-4, at home.
The Vikings scored three times in the top of the first inning but Lynnfield responded with four runs in the bottom of the first.
Lynnfield plated two more runs in the bottom of the fifth while Triton got its other run in the top of the seventh.
“Facing (Emma) Penniman for the second day in a row defiantly helped us,” said Longo, about facing the Viking star pitcher back-to-back days.
Lynnfield hit two home runs as Gia Gagnon (2 for 3) had a solo shot while Hubbard (2 for 3) had a two-run homer in the first inning.
Angela O’Hara added an RBI single in the fifth.
Gagnon was the winning pitcher going all seven frames. She gave up two earned runs, four hits, six walks and she fanned six.
“That was Gia’s best game of her career,” stated Longo. “She did a real nice job.”
Last Friday afternoon, the Vikings won the first meeting, 3-0, at home as Penniman gave up just three hits and struck out 16. O’Hara, Gatley and Kelter had the three Lynnfield hits.
Triton scored once in the first and two more in the bottom of the second off Gately.
Gately pitched all six innings allowing two earned runs, seven hits, five walks and she struck out six.
That was the first time the Pioneers have been shut out this spring.
On April 30, the Pioneers rolled over Ipswich, 15-5, on the road. The offense had 15 hits as O’Hara was 4 for 5 with five RBI including a homer. Hubbard also had a big day going 3 for 3 with two sacrifice flies and four runs batted in. Libby Considine also had a good day at bat going 3 for 4.
The Pioneers broke this game wide open in the top of the fifth plating eight runs.
Gately was the winning pitcher going all seven innings. She gave up three earned runs, seven hits, six walks and she fanned nine Tiger hitters.
“We hit the ball very well that day,” recalled Longo.
On May 7, the Pioneers host Manchester-Essex. They then go to Danvers to take on Essex Tech on May 9.
On May 12, Lynnfield hosts Boston Latin Academy in a non-league game.
All three games will start at 4 p.m.
The Pioneers entered this week ranked No. 23 in the MIAA Division 4 power rankings. The top 32 teams at the end of the regular season automatically qualify for the tournament regardless of overall record.