May 18th, 2015.
That was the last time the Pentucket softball team earned a win over CAL rival North Reading, on a random Monday that next month will be nine years old. Ever since that day, though, the Hornets have completely owned the rivalry, winning 14 straight games with six of them coming via the mercy rule.
But luckily for the Panthers, that “anniversary” isn’t going to hit nine full years.
On Saturday afternoon, Pentucket finally broke the streak with a dramatic, extra-inning win over North Reading, getting some clutch hits from Izzy Hackett to earn the 3-2 victory. And it’s not like this was a case of the Hornets being “down” this year, as earlier in the week they shut out defending CAL Kinney champion Triton.
So this win was completely legit.
Junior pitcher Molly LeBel was once again excellent for Pentucket (3-0), striking out six while allowing just two hits all game. The Panthers trailed 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth, but a double from Jocelyn Bickford and a single from Kayla Murphy put runners at the corners. Hackett (2-for-4) then took care of business, crushing a double to center that scored them both and made it a 2-1 game.
But North Reading wasn’t going to give up its winning streak so easily.
The Hornets plated the tying run off a sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh, so to extra innings they went. LeBel first came up clutch in the top of the eighth, striking out the last two batters of the inning after the Hornets had a runner on with one out. Then in the bottom half, Caitlyn McCoy laid down a bunt single that moved Sarah Freitas over to third, and on the first pitch, it was Hackett again lining a single that scored the game-winning run.
Pentucket will now host Haverhill on Monday (11 a.m.).
Levasseur, Amesbury softball slug past Georgetown
On paper, and with how its played over the first few games of the season, it wasn’t outlandish to think that the Georgetown softball team may challenge powerhouse Amesbury for the CAL Baker title this spring. The Redhawks have won the league an impressive 10 seasons in a row, but the Royals returned plenty of talent from a roster than won 12 games last year.
Well, after Friday, the Redhawks proved they’re not giving up the throne so easily.
Izzy Levasseur was fantastic both in the circle and at the plate, as Amesbury put its foot down to earn the 12-3 win over Georgetown. The three-time Daily News All-Star and reigning CAL Baker MVP went 2-for-5 with a home run at the dish, and also struck out 14 to lead the Redhawks (3-0) to another victory. Lexi LeBlanc was also 2-for-5 for the Redhawks with two doubles and three RBI.
Newburyport lacrosse balanced in win over Essex Tech
It was another normal day in the office for the Newburyport girls lacrosse team on Friday. The Clippers saw six different athletes score at least two goals, as their wasn’t too much drama in a convincing 18-4 win over Essex Tech.
Credit first has to go to Olivia McDonald, who not only scored three goals with an assist, but also won 10 draw controls to keep giving the Clippers (3-0) possession. Reese Bromby led the way offensively with four goals, Amelia Price also had three and Lily Pons found the back of the net twice with three assists. Blaire Fox and Lily Pilz each scored twice, Erin Marshall and Maddie Heath accounted for the final two goals and Rita Cahalane had five assists.
Newburyport will get a week off before traveling to play Winchester on Friday (1 p.m.).
Amesbury lacrosse battles with Haverhill
The Amesbury boys lacrosse team battled hard, but couldn’t keep up with a talented Haverhill squad in an eventual 20-4 loss on Friday. Ben Berg scored twice while Max White and Nicky Creps also had goals, and Grady Hagan assisted on a tally.