There’s simply no telling how many records Marblehead junior Tessa Francis might break before her softball career is over.
The Magicians’ ace power pitched struck out 239 batters over 130 innings in the regular season and helped her own cause by hitting four homers, earning Northeastern Conference Player of the Year honors at the league’s annual coaches’ meeting last week. Francis recorded her 500th career strikeout during the season and lost just two conference games.
Senior catcher Luka Bornhost, who will play D1 college softball at Stonehill and has been Francis’ battery mate for years, also earned an All-Conference nod. Marblehead coach Johnny Gold shared the NEC Coach of the Year award with Masconomet’s Joe Ciccarello, who led the Chieftains to a bounce back season and a D2 state playoff berth.
Beverly won its first NEC Dunn title in 18 years and was represented on the All-Conference team by Ithaca bound slugger Gabbi Wickeri.
Danvers had a pair of All-NEC honorees in shortstop Addi McCarty, who hit .559 with 8 homers and 36 RBI in the regular season, and outfielder Kyla Moroney, who scored 37 runs while batting .433. Pitcher Skylar Coakley also earned an All-NEC nod, giving Danvers a league-high three selectons.
Peabody’s Lizzy Bettencourt was voted to the All-Conference team after setting a single season record with 11 home runs. She batted .525 and drew 19 walks on the year, nine of those being intentional.
Freshman catcher Logan Schapp also earned an All-Conference nod after a breakout first season for Masconomet, where she not only solidified the defense but also .448 with 19 RBI and a pair of homers.
NEC Lynch champion Gloucester saw freshman pitcher Abby Noble and junior first baseman Emma Carrapichosa picked for the All-NEC team, which was rounded out by Saugus’ Lily Ventre.
The NEC’s second team all-stars, listed by school, were:
BEVERLY: Meredith Johnston, Jr., OF; Athena McKenna, So., SS; Lidia Miedema, So., P.
DANVERS: Briley Keezer, So., C; Lila Flynn, Jr., 2B.
GLOUCESTER: Ava Paone, Sr., 2B; Olivia Madruga, So., C; Makayla Allen, So., SS.
MASCONOMET: Ally Kelter, Jr., 1B; Angie Vecchio, So., OF.
MARBLEHEAD: Ashley Mortensen, Jr., OF; Nora Mahan, Jr., OF.
PEABODY: Olivia Guarino, Fr., 3B/C.
SALEM: Liv Loux, Sr., SS; Annie Thornett, Sr., P.
SAUGUS: Alexa Morello, Sr., 1B; Danica Schena, Sr., OF.
SWAMPSCOTT: Cece O’Connor, Sr., SS; Lauryn Fahey, Sr., C.
WINTHROP: Deanna Nee, So., 2B.