Swampscott 12U All-Star Girls Off to Strong Start

Swampscott 7, Saugus 5

The Swampscott Little League softball all-stars pulled one out of the fire Friday, defeating Saugus, 7-5, in extra innings at Swampscott.

Swampscott (the visiting team due to the coin toss) held a two-run lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning (the game is six innings), only to see Saugus rally to tie the game and send it to the seventh, where Swampscott scored twice to salvage the win.

Nicole Modica was firing on all cylinders -- going seven innings for the win, striking out 16 and allowing only two hits. Swampscott stars Lexi Howard, Sarah Ryan and Julia Rapisarda each had 2 hits followed by hits from Sydney Cresta, Jillian Flanders and Hester Murphy.  Runs were scored by Modica, Ryan, and Howard with Cresta and Flanders each scoring twice.  Saugus pitcher Emma Howard struck out nine.

Saugus scored one run in the first and one in the third to take a 2-0 lead, but Swampscott tied things up with Hester Murphy driving in one of the runs. Sara Ryan and Jillian Flanders both reached on walks that inning and scored.

Saugus took the lead back at 3-2, but Swampscott rallied again with three runs in the fifth inning to take a 5-3 lead. Lexi Howard drove in two runs that inning. Sydney Cresta had a hit and scored a run.

Saugus tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the sixth without the benefit of a hit (3 walks, error), but Swampscott came back in the seventh. On a dropped 4th ball Cresta took off running rounding second  and onto third safely  beating out the throw on a slide.  Cresta would eventually score on a groundout.   Flanders reached first on a dropped third strike and eventually scored to secure the win for Swampscott.

Swampscott 16, Lynn 4

At Swampscott, the host team sent 18 batters to the plate in the first inning and scored 13 runs in the frame. Nicole Modica had two hits and two runs; Sydney Cresta hit a 2-run double; and Jillian Flanders, Lexi Howard and Katie Watts scored two runs each.

The game was called after the top of the fourth inning. Modica pitched the first two innings, allowing just one run while striking out four, and Hester Murphy closed out the game pitching the last two innings.

Meghan Leavitt had two doubles for Lynn.

Swampscott will face undefeated Peabody Wed 5:30 @ Swampscott