The Marblehead High softball team (4-1) won its first four games of the season, before losing a
heartbreaker to non-league Whittier at home, 1-0 on April 19. Prior to that close loss, the Magicians took down host Boston Latin Academy in the North End the day before, 11-1.
Pitcher Tessa Francis threw a no-hitter against Boston Latin. She fanned 11 batters. Catcher Luka Bornhorst helped her out behind the plate, throwing out two runners to stop any potential threats instantly.
Shortstop Hailey Schmitt led the way on offense with four hits. Ashley Mortensen drove in two on a triple to left that hit the fence in the air.
Coach Johnny Gold’s team scored two runs in the first to begin the onslaught. Bornhorst worked a walk to ignite the offense. Third baseman Tessa Andriano was then hit by a pitch. Second baseman Ruby Calienes drove in both with a single to center. Pinch-hitter Geneveve Rogers bunted another run home.
The Magicians scored five more in the fourth. Ashley Mortensen led off with a walk. Isabelle Mortensen, her twin sister, followed with a single, and they both came home on a single by Schmitt. Bornhorst kept the line moving with a walk. She then tagged up to advance to second on a flyball, before stealing third and coming home on a perfect suicide squeeze by Calienes.
The visitors added three more runs in the sixth. Ashley Mortensen’s triple brought home two of those runs.
It was then your classic pitcher’s duel last Friday morning against Whittier. There were only a total of six combined hits by both teams throughout all seven innings. Whittier scored the game’s lone run right away in the very first inning.
Francis allowed just four hits, while striking out 12 to do everything she can do to keep the winning streak alive. The Magicians had their chances to get on the scoreboard, only to come up short on the bases.
The Marblehead girls faced host Winthrop on April 23 after press deadline, before coming home to take on rival Swampscott on April 24, starting at 4:30 p.m. They will be at Salem to go up against the Witches Friday, April 26, beginning at 4 p.m.
