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All-Star Chelsey Bartlett also brought in two runs at the NEC Softball Game.

WOBURN -- There isn't much to say when your team is no-hit while your pitchers walk eight batters.

With all that going against you, a 7-0 loss is about what you'd expect. And that's what Classical's softball team got Sunday at Library Park Field, as Woburn eliminated the Rams from the Division 1 North state tournament in the first round.

"We knew going in what to expect," said Classical coach Chris Warren, referring to senior pitcher Kryssie Cudmore of the Tanners. "She's by far the best pitcher we've faced this year.

"She was on," Warren said, "and we had far too many walks and a couple of errors thrown in there. That's pretty much what you'd expect to happen with their pitcher throwing a no-hitter against us."

Still, despite the loss, Warren was not disappointed in how the season went.

"We learned an awful lot between the first day and the end of the season," he said. "And I credit that to the captains (Jen Garrity, Rachel Carroll and Fallon Gaudet). They taught the younger kids how to act and what to expect.

"You look over there (the Woburn side) and it's all seniors," he said. "They have a lot of players who have been there. They're us, two years ago."

Classical got into trouble immediately in the first inning when Woburn got back-to-back singles from Ashley Shea and Toni DiCampo off starter Jen Garrity with one out. Garrity then plunked Kathi Davis and walked Meg Moore to force home Woburn's first run.

Garrity appeared to be headed toward minimizing the damage by striking out Kim DeLang, but she walked the next batter, forcing home another run, giving way to Katie Cuozzo. An infield single by Amanda Pappalardo brought home another run and it was 3-0 after an inning.

Shea walked to lead off the second, and eventually came around to score on an infield out to make it 4-0.

Woburn scored its final three runs in the fourth on Moore's bases-loaded triple to deep centerfield.

Woburn will travel to Acton-Boxborough today at 4.

Classical finishes its season with a 13-8 mark. The Rams won seven of their last eight regular-season games after starting the season at 6-6.

Jen Garrity pitched a complete game in the win over St. Mary’s Saturday and took over in relief to save the game for today’s starter, Katie Cuozzo. She pitched 2 ½ innings of scoreless relief and snuffed out a potential game-tying English rally in the fifth inning. For her efforts, she received the Ginny Dandreo award as the tournament’s outstanding pitcher.

However, special mention should go to English’s Tiffany Drown, who completed both games of the tournament without allowing an earned run.

English got on the board today courtesy of a pair of Classical errors and without the benefit of a hit. Valerie Fiaccaprilli reached on an overthrow, making it to second on the play. She stole third and came home on another overthrow.

Classical scored three runs in the third, again all of them unearned. With one out, Rachel Carroll and Cuozzo hit singles. After Katie Fitzgerald walked, both Fallon Gaudet and Hannah Byrne got on base via errors, allowing all three runners to score. Drown bore down, however, and got the final two hitters to end the inning.

English had a golden chance to climb back into the game – and perhaps tie it – in the fifth when Taylor Newhall hit a one-out triple and Fiaccaprilli was hit by a pitch.

However, Garrity came on to pitch and got the dangerous Mageary to pop to short for the second out. In the process of walking Kara Crowley intentionally, she threw one a little too wide and catcher Chelsey Bartlett couldn’t reach, and it careened all the way to the backstop, allowing Newhall to score the second run.

However, Garrity got Lauren Walsh to ground to second to end the inning.

Even though Larissa Paula singled to start the seventh, Garrity got the next three English hitters on groundouts to ice the game.

All five runs in today’s final were unearned.

Scholarship winners were Jen Mageary of English, Marissa Gambale of Swampscott, Kristen Mondello of St. Mary's and Jaime Behen of Classical.

LYNN -- Before the second of the two John G. Holland Memorial softball tournament games began earlier tonight at Breed, an English player was overheard saying she wanted another shot at Classical.

English had just won the first game, 2-0, in nine innings thanks to a triple by Cara Crowley that scored one run; and a sacrifice fly by Lauren Walsh. And the Bulldogs -- at least some of them -- were hoping to get a little revenge on the Rams, who beat them 7-0 Thursday at Keaney Park.

Well, English will get its chance. Classical defeated St. Mary's in the nightcap, 3-1, with Mackenzie Coppinger tripling and scoring the go-ahead run in the sixth inning, and then knocking in the insurance run in the seventh.

Junior Tiffany Drown outdueled Swampscott's Cortney Fletcher in the first game. Both were equally stingy until the top of the ninth, when Jen Mageary singled, Crowley hit her triple, and Walsh knocked her in with the sacrifice fly.

Classical's Jen Garrity got the better of Sam Kiley of St. Mary's in the nightcap. In addition, Garrity's grounder to to shortstop was hit slowly enough to allow Coppinger to score from third and break a 1-1 tie.

English will try to win its second-ever title in the tournament ... and its first since 1998. Classical has won the title three times, the last time being in 2007.

The tournament is named for John G. Holland, a former Lynn Babe Ruth official who helped found the program's softball program. Holland was also a Lynn Youth Soccer official and a member of the Lynn Parks Commission.

In a story in Saturday's paper, and on Itemlive website Friday, The Item erroneously reported that North Reading won last year's Nipper Clancy Tournament. St. Mary's is the defending champion. The Item regrets the error.

LYNN - If ever there was a day to sing the theme song to the musical Oklahoma, Thursday would have been it at Keaney Park.

Winds gusting over 30 MPH turned the diamond behind Lynn English into a scene right out of the Grapes of Wrath as dust made just seeing the ball impossible at times. Yet through it all, the Classical softball team played flawlessly as Hannah Byrne's four hits and Jenny Garrity's three-hit shutout on the mound resulted in a 7-0 victory that ended English's postseason aspirations on senior day.

"We played really well in all aspects of the game," said Classical coach Chris Warren, whose team has gone 5-1 down the stretch. "We knew the wind was going to be a factor and we did well with it."

The Bulldogs (7-11) never could get anything going in a game they had to have. After failing to convert on a couple of early chances, English committed five errors that helped the Rams break the game wide open.

"You're not going to win many games when you don't hit and make errors like we did," English coach Alisa Fila said.

Classical struck right off the bat against English starter Tiffany Drown. Jennie Erekson drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a passed ball. She scored on the first of Byrne's four hits, a double down the left field line.

Garrity nearly gave the run right back in the bottom of the first, walking Val Fiaccaprili and Jen Mageary to begin the inning. That brought the ever dangerous Cara Crowley to the plate, but Garrity got her to ground into a 6-4-3 double play that helped the Rams escape trouble.

English threatened again in the bottom of the second as Garrity issued a lead-off walk to Amanda Witunsky. Following a sacrifice and a groundout, Larissa Paula drew English's fourth walk of the game, but Garrity struck out Taylor Newhall to end the inning.

Classical's ace then settled down and did not issue another free pass the rest of the day, allowing only three baserunners over the final five innings.

"Jenny was phenomenal," Warren said. "She kept her composure early and battled through it."

The Rams upped the gap to 2-0 in the third when Byrne reached on an infield single and went to second on an error. After moving to third on a groundout, she scored when Garrity's grounder back to the mound was thrown away.

Neither team scored in the fourth before Classical exploded in the fifth, sending 10 batters to the plate and scoring four times to put the game on ice.

Erekson and Byrne singled to open the inning. An errant throw on a steal attempt by Byrne made it 3-0 before Chelsey Bartlett singled home Byrne for a 4-0 lead. Bartlett went to third via an error on the play.

After Garrity popped out to short, Fallon Gaudet brought Bartlett in on a fielder's choice. After a strikeout, Rachel Carroll singled and Kayla Walleston walked to load the bases. Leadoff batter Katie Fitzgerald then delivered another RBI fielder's choice, scoring Gaudet for a 6-0 lead.

That margin was more than enough for Garrity, who was on cruise control by this point, allowing only one runner to reach second in the final innings. Classical added a final run in the seventh before Garrity got the Bulldogs in order to seal the win.

At Classical, Nicole Wilson threw a three-hitter for the Tanners. MaryKate Helas went 2-for-2 with two RBI and a homer. She was also intentionally walked twice.

Jennie Erekson went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored to lead the Rams (10-7).

At Salem, Katie Fitzgerald led the scoring attack for the Rams, going 3-for-5 with four runs scored in a game that was called in the bottom of the sixth. Also for Classical (9-6), Chelsey Bartlett knocked in four runs, while Fallon Gaudet and Hannah Byrne scored three runs each. Mackenzie Coppinger went 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI, Jaime Behen went 2-for-4 with a run scored and three RBI, and Brianna Capone was 1-for-2 with two runs scored.

The scoring for the Rams started early as Classical plated 10 runs in the top of the first inning, all with two outs showing on the scoreboard.

"I'm not sure if I have ever had a team score 10 runs in an inning, let alone with two outs," said an amazed Classical coach Chris Warren.

Salem did make a comeback, scoring five in the fourth inning to bring the score to 10-7. Classical countered with six runs in the fifth inning and three more in the sixth to seal the game.

Jenny Garrity got the win for the Rams, pitching four innings, striking out one, walking two, and allowing 10 hits. Katie Cuozzo pitched an inning in relief, striking out one, walking one, and allowing no hits.

Classical freshman hurler Katie Cuozzo continues to impress with her latest gem a 1-0 win over Beverly at Grace Rogato Field.

Cuozzo (3-1) pitched a complete game, allowed five hits, hit a batsman and walked one while striking out six. Classical (8-6) needs two more wins to qualify for the tournament.

"She (Cuozzo) pitched a solid game against a solid team. She gave us a huge spark," Classical coach Chris Warren said. "Beverly is the first-place team in the North. To hold them scoreless is impressive. It's a big confidence boost."

With two outs in the third, Katie Fitzgerald walked and stole second before Fallon Gaudet drove in the eventual game-winning run with a triple, her third in the last two games.

"Fallon has been swinging a good stick," Warren said in reference to Gaudet's two-for-three performance, which also included a double.

Beverly's only genuine threat came in the fifth when the Panthers (11-4) had runners at second and third with two out, but Cuozzo induced a soft line drive to second base to end the inning.

Danvers 6, Classical 3

At Great Oak Park, the Rams (6-5, 5-5 NEC) spotted Danvers four runs in the first inning. Jenny Garrity took the loss, with Katie Cuozzo throwing six innings in relief. She allowed two hits and fanned three, walked three and gave up two runs, one earned. Chelsey Bartlett (2-for-3, run) and Jessica Stevens (2-for-3) led the Rams offensively.

Classical 12, Gloucester 0

At Breed, freshman Mackenzie Coppinger was all business in her first varsity start on the mound. After struggling with her control in a relief appearance against Saugus last week, Coppinger was on the money against the Fishermen, allowing only two hits and striking out eight in a complete-game (5 innings) shutout. She didn't walk a batter.

"I've never had two freshmen (Katie Cuozzo picked up a win over Saugus last week) win games in one season," Classical coach Chris Warren said.

Classical (6-4) scored six runs in the first inning on no hits, six walks, a hit batter and five passed balls. The Rams added a run in the second, four in the third and one in the fifth. Kayla Walleston (2-for-3, RBI, 3 runs); Hannah Byrne (2-for-2, double, 3 runs) and Fallon Gaudet (3-for-3, 2 RBI, run) supplied the offensive punch.

LYNN -- When we last caught up with Marissa Gambale, she was playing flypaper defense and leading the Swampscott girls basketball attack flawlessly en route to a state championship.

Wednesday, Gambale was up to her old tricks ... only this time it was softball.

The senior shortstop was on base four times, scored a run, and extended two innings that led to runs as the Big Blue improved to 4-5 with a 4-3 win over Lynn Classical that was much more dramatic than coach Annamaria Addonizio would have liked.

Make no mistake. Gambale was the catalyst. She changed the way Classical played defense every time she got up, and reached base four times even though she never hit a ball to even the outer part of the infield.

"She hits the ball on the ground, and she's on base," said Classical coach Chris Warren. "If she puts it on the ground, I don't know who in the world is going to throw her out. She's that fast."

Warren should know. A couple of years ago, he had a player just like Gambale in Savannah Clemens, for whom even a walk turned into a double because of her speed.

Not only was Gambale the ultimate pest on offense, she turned a nifty 6-3 double play in the fifth inning, after Classical had finally solved Swampscott starter Kirsten Vinal.

"She's been incredible for us all year," said Addonizio. "I think, coming into the game, she was hitting about .700."

Gambale led off the game with a slap/liner that ate up Classical third baseman Jennie Erekson, and she immediately stole second. Alex Wilson sacrificed her to third, and she scored when Classical pitcher Jen Garrity got caught in between on Mallorie McGrath's grounder. Gambale broke for home, and then stopped ... causing a momentary indecision. McGrath made it to first (and then to second on an error) and Gambale scored.

McGrath took third on a groundout by Monica Mosho, and came home on Cortney Fletcher's single to left.

The Big Blue made it 3-0 in the fourth when Merry Ball walked, was sacrificed to second, and came home on an error. Gambale kept the inning alive when, with two out, she bunted her way on and then Wilson walked.

Swampscott upped its lead to 4-0 in the sixth when Erin McLaughlin singled and came around on McGrath's base hit.

Classical almost made it all the way back in the sixth off Vinal, who had been perfect through 3 1/3 innings. With one out, Kayla Walleston walked and Hannah Byrne singled. Walleston, who had moved up on a passed ball, thought the ball was foul and started heading back to second. At the last minute, she turned and raced for third just as left fielder McLaughlin fired to Allie Stephens at third. The play was close, but Walleston barely beat the tag.

"That was a momentum-changer for them," said Addonizio.

The play took on added significance when catcher Chelsey Bartlett tripled to deep right, scoring both runs. Pinch-runner Jill Adams came home moments later on a wild pitch.

Vinal settled down after that, getting the final out and retiring the side in the seventh.

Classical freshman pitcher Katie Cuozzo impressed in her starting debut at the varsity level. Cuozzo tossed five shutout innings, allowed one hit and one walk and struck out three in the Rams' 10-3 victory over host Saugus.

"I'm real happy with her start," said Classical coach Chris Warren. "We know she's talented because she pitched well in relief against English last Friday, but this is the first time I've had a freshman starter win in my 10 years coaching the team."

The Rams (5-3) scored four runs in the second, three in the fourth and three in the fifth. Stars on offense included Katie Fitzgerald (3-5, two runs, two RBI), Hannah Byrne (2-5, two RBI) and Fallon Gaudet (1-4, run, two RBI).

Saugus (1-8) scored its three runs in the sixth. Gina Reppucci led off with a single and scored on an Elizabeth Shaw hit. Megan Joyce hit an RBI single and Kelsey Sturgis hit an RBI groundout. Nicole Lowe took the loss.

The Classical and Peabody softball teams spent the better part of last season battling it out for the top spot in the Northeastern Conference North, so their first meeting of 2009 promised to be a good one.

The Tanners (2-2) held the edge in the early going, leading 3-1 after four innings, but the Rams came back to tie the game in the fifth and win it, 5-3, thanks to single runs in the sixth and seventh innings.

As was the case in their 1-0 win over Salem on Friday, the Rams' defense answered the call.

"It was real nice coming back," Classical coach Chris Warren said. "They had the bases loaded and no one out in the second and we had two forces at the plate. In the fourth, they had runners on second and third and we gave up one run."

Classical shortstop Hannah Byrne went 3-for-3 with three RBI, all of them coming with two outs. Her single in the fifth drove in two runs and tied the game. Third baseman Jennie Erekson went 2-for-3. She also scored a run and drove in Jill Adams with the go-ahead run in the sixth. First baseman Katie Cuozzo added some insurance with a line drive to left that scored the fifth run.

Things got a little hairy for the Rams in the sixth inning when the Tanners had runners on second and third. Classical (4-2) intentionally walked the next batter, a strategy that worked out well when the following batter grounded out to end the threat. Peabody's Mary Kate Helas went 2-for-3, as did Lauren Tucker.

Peabody pitcher Nicole Wilson allowed nine hits and one earned run, walked three and struck out two. Classical pitcher Jenny Garrity gave up five hits, struck out three, walked four and hit three batters.

"We didn't show up to play," Peabody coach Butch Melanphy said. "Chris' team did. They played a better game than we did."

Classical 1, Salem 0

At Grace Rogato Field, the Rams (3-2, 2-2 NEC) rode the back of stellar pitching by Jenny Garrity and a solid defense to take the win.

Garrity held Salem to seven hits in the contest while the Rams didn't commit an error in the field. Classical pushed the game's lone run across in the fourth when Katie Fitzgerald and Hannah Byrne singled before Chelsea Bartlett's fielders choice plated Fitzgerald.

Softball Rams Look Anything but Soft

The Lynn Classical softball team hit the ground running, or – to be more accurate – slugging. The Rams scored 30 runs on 31 hits over their first two games, which both resulted in lopsided wins for Classical.
First, the Rams defeated Cambridge Rindge & Latin in a 14-0 shutout on April 8. The season opener featured a large heap of runs and a combined one hitter from Jenny Garrity (4 and two-thirds innings, 5 strikeouts) and Katie Cuozzo (2 and a third, 2 strikeouts).
The game was still close until the fifth inning, when freshman Coppinger Mackenzie laced a two-run single to spark what would become an eight-run monster of a rally. Shortstop Hannah Byrne, who went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, also had a two-run single in the fifth for Classical.
Jennie Erickson, another freshman infielder, also had a big day, with three hits and four at-bats to go with three RBI and a pair of runs scored. Senior outfielder Katie Fitzgerald got in on the fun with 4 RBI and a run scored on two hits, and fellow outfielder Rachel Carroll went 2-3 with an RBI.
The Classical bats stayed hot on April 10 when they propelled the Rams to a 16-6 victory over Northeast Conference opponent Revere High. Classical trailed 5-1 in the third inning, but outscored the Patriots 15-1 the rest of the way to improve to 2-0.
Katie Fitzgerald once again had a big day at the plate (this time from the leadoff spot), where she was 3-of-4 with four runs scored and a pair of RBI. Junior Kayla Walleston, who was right behind her in the two spot, knocked in another three runs and scored thrice on a 2-for-3 outing.
Hannah Byrne was solid again with another two hits on four at-bats to go with two runs and two RBI, and sophomore Jessica Stevens scored two runs on her 3-of-5 performance. Rachel Carroll added a pair of hits and a pair of runs, and Katie Cuozzo knocked in four runs and scored another on a 2-for-2 day at the plate.
The Rams scored six runs in the sixth inning, five in the fifth and three in the fourth.
Jenny Garrity battled through flu-like systems to pitch a complete game, and helped her own cause with two hits and four RBI from the batters box.
The Rams were scheduled to play at Winthrop High on Monday and will play at Beverly tomorrow before concluding the week with another road game against Salem on Friday.

Beverly 6, Classical 2

At Innocenti Park, the Panthers (3-0, 2-0 Northeastern Conference) spotted the Rams a run in the first inning, but made up for it by scoring the next six. Sophomore Sarah Pezzulo (7 hits, 9 strikeouts, 1 walk, 2 earned runs) went the distance for the win. Daryle Powell (RBI single), Kellie Shea (2-for-3, RBI, stolen base, 2 runs) and Allie Murray (2-for-3, 2 RBI) powered the offense.

Winthrop 7, Classical 4

In Winthrop, the Rams (2-1) smacked 11 hits but couldn't manufacture the necessary runs to prevent their first loss.

"We left a lot of opportunities out on the field," said Classical (2-1) coach Chris Warren. "We hit the ball hard, just not when we needed to."

Hannah Byrne (2-4, two RBI, triple, run), Jill Adams (3-4, run), and Kayla Walleston (2-3, run) provided the offense in the loss. Jenny Garrity had two strikeouts in six innings.

For the Vikings (2-0), senior shortstop Courtney Finn hit a two-run opposite-field homer, and catcher Abby Belcher went 4-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and a pair of stolen bases. Angela Pettee pitched a complete game for Winthrop, allowing eight hits and four earned runs while striking out four and walking one.

The game was tied at four before the Vikings grabbed two runs in the bottom of the fourth for a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

The start wasn't good for the Classical softball team on Friday at Grace Rogato Field against Revere. The finish, well, that was a completely different story.

After seeing the Patriots jump out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, Classical stayed the course, chipped away at the lead and then exploded for 10 runs in the last two innings to break a 6-6 tie and take a 16-6 win over the Patriots.

"We woke up and started playing well in the fourth," Classical coach Chris Warren said. "We have a lot of kids who are getting it done at the plate right now and they did a good job late in the game."

Revere (2-2) got to Classical starter Jenny Garrity for the four runs in the first before the junior, who was still suffering after effects of a bout with the flu, settled down and gave her team a chance to rally.

And rally Classical did, scoring once in the first and second innings before erupting in the fourth to tie the game on Katie Cuozzo's 2-run single. The freshman first baseman finished 2-for-2 with four RBI and a run scored.

That was just a warm up for Classical, which pushed five more runs across in the fifth. Cuozzo and Garrity each had 2-run singles to help break the game open. Five more runs would cross in the sixth as Katie Fitzgerald drove home a pair along with Kayla Wollaston.

Fitzgerald was 3-for-3 with the two RBI and four runs scored and Wollaston was 2-for-3 with three RBI. Shortstop Hannah Byrne was 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored while catcher Jessica Stevens was 3-for-5 with two runs scored.

Revere's Kristen DeCandia was 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Jessica Simpson was 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI.

The Lynn Classical softball team wasn't supposed to have a very productive season a year ago, having graduated seven seniors who had led the team to a tournament berth.

Yet the Rams did something they hadn't done in 26 years: Win a Northeastern Conference championship.

Now the same scenario is set to play out for coach Chris Warren's bunch as it has to replace the bulk of a lineup that finished 15-7 and lost in the Division 1 North quarterfinals to Acton-Boxboro.

"It's different territory for us, but we're looking forward to defending our title," Warren said. "Last year was a great accomplishment and we're excited about this season."

The Rams coach is also excited about being in good health this year after having surgery in December for a back injury that caused constant pain throughout the season.

"It really wore on me during the year," Warren said. "Every day was pure pain. But what kept me going was the year that we were having and the wins. It's nice to be back and feeling healthy."

For Classical to find success this year, it will have to find players to pick up the slack offensively as 66 percent of its offense was lost via the graduation of Afton Dean, Kristen Dean, Sam Barker and Amanda Stevens. Outfielder and leadoff hitter Courtney Sullivan also graduated, giving the Rams five holes to fill in their lineup.

"That's what we lack overall, varsity experience," Warren said.

One place the Rams won't be without a lack of experience is on the mound, where junior Jenny Garrity returns to try to repeat the success of her sophomore campaign. In her first year as the full-time starter, Garrity was 13-3 in conference play and 15-7 overall.

"It's nice to have a veteran coming back on the mound and when you have that experience there, it goes a long way," Warren said.

Another big returnee for the Rams is sophomore Hannah Byrne. Byrne made a big splash as a freshman a year ago, earning NEC all-star honors at third base. This year, Byrne will take a few steps to her left and replace Afton Dean as the Rams' shortstop.

"She won't miss a beat going from third to short," Warren said.

Other returning players include Rachel Carroll; Jill Adams; Katie Fitzgerald and Fallon Gaudet, all of whom saw playing time throughout last season.

With the relatively few number of returning players, the competition for starting spots is sure to be heated. Warren had 55 players sign up for tryouts, including strong freshman and sophomore classes.

"It's probably the strongest freshmen class I've had in my 10 years here," Warren said. "We're excited about the future but we're playing for now."

Freshmen Katie Cuozzo, Mackenzie Coppinger and Jennie Erekson all have pitched in the past and will give Warren some extra arms in the bullpen, while Jamie Behen, Kayla Wolleston and Marysa Mezzetti will also be in the mix for varsity time after spending last season on the JV roster.

"We definitely have kids that can play," Warren said. "And we have girls as upperclassmen that know what it takes to be successful."

Warren will be assisted by Lauren Phelps and Lysa Newhall. Nicole Oak will coach the JVs while recent Endicott College grad Paula McGinn returns to her alma mater to coach the freshmen.

Classical opens its season on April 6 against Revere.

Fallon Gaudet gets ready to scoop up a ball during Classical softball tryouts Tuesday afternoon in Lynn. Gaudet, who spent some time in the outfield last season, is one of coach Chris Warren's returning players. (ITEM PHOTO / REBA M. SALDANHA)

Softball Rams Clinch Fourth Straight Tourney Berth

Softball Rams Look Anything but Soft