The high and lows of a typical season was certainly magnified last spring for the Marblehead High softball team. They started the season with an unimaginable loss, when the program’s longtime assistant coach Todd Norman passed away suddenly, just hours before the opening day game against Reading.
As difficult as it was to hear this unexpected news, the Marblehead girls channeled their emotions beautifully into an historic season, where they finished up with an 18-4 regular season record and a ninth seed in the final Division 2 power rankings. They catapulted that success into three more wins in the state tournament, before dropping an agonizing 3-2 extra innings loss to Westfield, the fourth seed, in the state semifinal round. They defeated Mansfield (4-1, 24th seed), Nashoba Regional (5-1, eighth seed) and Silver Lake Regional (4-3, top seed), before that loss to Westfield, who went on to lose its own heartbreaker in the state title game to Walpole, 1-0.
Despite the way last year ended, this year’s returning veterans knew at that time that their state championship dreams were far from over. Most of that roster is back in the fold, including junior pitcher Tessa Francis and her catcher Luka Bornhorst, who’s also this year’s team captain.
“In a sense, there’s probably pressure on them after the way last year ended, but I’m pretty sure they can handle it,” said veteran coach Johnny Gold, who added, “it’s always a good place to start (the state championship mission) with seven returning veterans, led by pitcher Tessa Francis and catcher Luka Bornhorst.”
Gold then offered that he hasn’t seen a better high school softball catcher like Luka since he started coaching, while Tessa led all of Division 2 last year in strikeouts with 272.
Bornhorst, in a related development, is already committed to play for Stonehill College next year, where she’ll be playing with (former Magician) Lauren Donovan, who as a junior pitcher just recently threw the program’s first no-hitter as a Division 1 school.
As good as Francis was last spring in the circle, she might be even better this year. “She has never looked better,” said Gold. “She’s currently working on different pitches to surprise the opposition, and combined with her mentally tough mindset that’s not good news for them.”
The defense behind Tessa should also make her even tougher to beat, starting with junior third baseman Tessa Andriano. “(Andriano) has a rocket for an arm, which makes her the best high school third baseman that I’ve ever seen,” said Gold.
Andriano’s classmate Haley Schmitt is alongside her at shortstop. Schmitt is an exceptional athlete, who also has great speed, according to Gold.
Tessa Andriano’s twin sister, Kate, is the second baseman, who can also play first. “(Kate’s) hitting and fielding has really improved,” said Gold.
Sophomore Keliane Salem, who has quick feet and a good bat, is also capable of playing first or second, providing Gold to switch his players around depending on the opposition. But senior Lyla McGovern will be the regular starting first baseman. “(McGovern) has an excellent glove and a good arm, and (so far in practice) is an improved hitter,” said Gold.
The starting outfield is made up of juniors, who are all fast. Nora Mahan will be in left; Ashley Mortensen will patrol centerfield and her twin sister Isabel is in right. The only way Gold can identify the identical Mortensen twins is by their throwing arms. Ashley throws with her righthand, while Isabel is a southpaw.
Senior Carolyn Black gives the varsity roster tremendous depth. “She can play anywhere in the infield and outfield, and has excellent speed,” said Gold.
Sophomore Lucy Rogers is slated to be a designated hitter, along with Kate Andriano.
Joe Fields is back as Gold’s assistant coach, who specifically tutors the first basemen and outfielders. He’s also the first base coach. Keri Whitcomb is the JV coach, and Marisa Fields is her assistant.
The Magicians will now be playing in the Northeastern Conference (NEC) Dunn Division, going up against heavyweights like Danvers, Masco, Beverly and Peabody twice. They only played these opponents once last year.
But, according to Gold, that should not deter them from their lofty expectations this year. Some outlets have them going to UMass Amherst in June to play for the state championship, with Gold adding, “anything less than getting back to the Final Four would be a disappointment.”
The Marblehead girls will take on the iron right away, when aforementioned Masco comes to town to play them in the home opener on Wednesday, April 2, at the Veterans Middle School, starting at 4 p.m.
