Starting the season with an extremely young squad, coach Johnny Gold’s Marblehead High softball team ended up with a 9-11 record in 2023, just missing the postseason. They were ranked 37th in Division 2, which is made up of 61 teams.
Gold, who has been along the Marblehead sidelines since 2002, is “really excited” about the potential of this year’s club. He is carrying eight sophomores, two juniors and seven seniors on varsity this spring. There are another 17 on the JVs.
“We’ll be extremely competitive,” promises Gold.
The veteran coach’s optimism stems from the fact that sophomore pitcher Tessa Francis is back after suffering a concussion last year as a result of sliding into second base.
Co-captain Ruby Calienes will be the starting second base but can also backup Francis in the circle if necessary. Calienes made the NEC’s All-Conference team last year as a pitcher after taking over those chores from the injured Francis. She also started a triple play to get out of an inning quickly.
“Francis pitched a couple of games last year before she got hurt, and she showed us that she’s the real deal,” said Gold.
Catching Francis will be junior Luka Bornhorst. Bornhorst led the team in all offensive categories last year, according to Gold. “She’s a great catcher, who has excellent speed on the basepaths,” the coach added. “To me, she’s already a Division 1 or 2 college prospect. She’s extremely athletic, and despite her height (5-foot-10), she gets low behind the plate to create a good target for the pitchers. I’ve had a number of fine catchers over the years, but right now she’s as good as anyone I have ever seen back there.”
Senior Ila Bumargin, the team’s other captain, would have been the starting left fielder this year, but she sustained a torn ACL two weeks ago, and will be out for the season after also missing most of last year with a broken finger.
The rash of bad luck injuries has not affected her team spirit. “She still shows up every day helping our JV pitchers,” said Gold. “She’s planning to go to college next year in Ireland.”
Senior Eva Walton is slated to be the designated hitter/utility player. Sophomore Tessa Andriano will handle the third base chores. “She has a big arm and bat,” said Gold.
Sophomore Hailey Schmitt suffered a high ankle sprain last year, but she’s now back at shortstop. “She’s quick, who likes to slide headfirst into the bases,” said Gold.
Schmitt will be alongside Calienes, the team’s aforementioned second baseman, and catching their throws to first will be junior Lyla McGovern.
Senior Sophia Hailsey will replace Bumargin in left. She has a good arm and bat, according to Gold. Sophomore Ashley Mortensen is the team’s returning centerfielder with her twin sister Isabel in right.
“Ashley was our defensive player of the year last spring. She is also a really good lefty hitter for us,” said Gold, “while her twin sister bats right, and can also fill in behind the plate.”
Gold boldly predicts that his club will make the state tournament this year, despite playing some formidable non-league opponents ansfield, Reading, Boston Latin twice, Ipswich and Whittier Tech
and taking on Peabody once, arguably one of the four best teams in the state.
The Magicians begin the regular season at home on April 3 against Salem, starting at 4 p.m.
“Salem beat us twice last year, so we’ll have something to prove against them,” said Gold.
