Softball Stars Charge Back For Win 14-13

The Swampscott Little League softball all-star 12-year-olds came storming back for five runs in the top of the sixth inning Tuesday to tie the game against Wyoma — 13-13.

Swampscott pitcher Riley Lord and her defense then got three quick groundball outs in the bottom of the inning to push the game into extra innings.

In the top of the seventh Swampscott's Nicole Modica worked a walk, stole second and moved to third when the pitch rolled to the backstop.

Ashley Bucklin came to bat and squared to bunt but pulled her bat back when the ball arrived inside and low and again rolled to the backstop.

Nicole broke on the pitch from third and slid home safely giving Swampscott the lead, 14-13.

In the bottom of the seventh inning Riley Lord again got ahead of the Wyoma batters and the defense made the plays including a nice catch by catcher Kasey Kennedy on a pop-up by the backstop.

The final score was Swampscott 14 Wyoma 13.

Swampscott battled back throughout the contest.

The game was marked by manufactured runs — and improvisation even before it started.

Both teams took over the National Anthem singing duties when the park sound system experienced a glitch.

The two teams sang the Star Spangled Banner in almost a round form.

After a rain delay Swampscott got the scoring started with three runs in the top of the first. Wyoma came right back with four runs of their own in the bottom of the first.

For the rest of the game, up until the seventh inning, Swampscott did not have the lead.

They were behind 8-4 before tying the game at 8, and then were down 13-8 before tying the game at 13.

Sydney Faulkner led the Swampscott hitting attack collecting two singles. Margot Beaupre had the team's only extra-base hit when she slapped a lead-off double in the third and later came around to score. 

Riley Lord came in to pitch in relief with two outs in the first inning and pitched the rest of the game. She retired the final seven batters during which time she was constantly ahead in the counts.

Now Swampscott plays undefeated Peabody West in the championship round on Swampscott's field at 5:30 Wednesday.

Swampscott has one loss in the double elimination tournament — to Peabody — so the home team must win two games to win the district championship.

On Tuesday, the players and coaches were happy with the comeback win against Wyoma of Lynn.

"We will definitely relish this one tonight," said the manager, Dick Faulkner.

They will then come out and be ready to play on Wednesday, he said.