Burlington Softball Trumps Dracut, Heads to Semi-Finals

For the first time, the No. 2 softball team (20-2) is heading to the semi-finals in the MIAA North Division 2 tournament after blasting No. 7 Dracut High School 8-2 on Saturday.

“These girls have never been there before,” said BHS coach Kristen Mahoney, “so I think just being on that big stage is going to be awesome for them.”

The Red Devils came back from a 1-0 deficit to tie it 1-all in the bottom of the first when senior Jillian Mazure singled up the first baseline against Dracut (15-6) sophomore pitcher Lauren Ramirez. Senior Stacey Bezreh ran from second to home.

“Jill Mazure, she was on base every single time, she was just phenomenal today,” Mahoney said. “I mean her throw-downs, base-hitting; she was determined to get somebody today. She was on her game today. She was awesome.”

Burlington was continually progressing throughout the game, as the team scored seven runs between the fourth, fifth and sixth.

“It seemed like everyone did their job today. The top of the order were getting hits and the bottom of the order was getting on base, you know getting on base in the top of the order.”

Sophomore Kelly McCarthy scored in the bottom of the fourth when sophomore Kelly Brown singled, putting the Red Devils up one-run, 2-1.

Mazure had her second RBI single of the game for Bezreh in the bottom of the fifth. Mazure hit up the middle to bring Bezreh across the plate.

And in the sixth, Burlington’s last at-bat, the team booted five runs off a few bunts to take an 8-1 advantage.

“(Bunting is) something that we’ve been doing all year,” Mahoney said. “We have some decent speed and against a good pitcher we just want the ball in play, so we were able to get both bunts down and cause some chaos on the bases.”

Senior Amber Eisenhauer and freshman April Adams each bunted for the first two hits in the bottom of the sixth. Adams’ would have been a single, but Dracut’s first baseman fumbled the ball causing Eisenhauer and Adams to take off for third and second, respectively, on the error. Junior Christina Raso then scored Eisenhauer on a single and Bezreh brought home Adams with a bunt. Sophomore Haley Currie loaded the bases with her single and Mazure scored Raso for the team’s sixth run.

But the Red Devils weren’t done yet.

Freshman Kayla Sheldon brought home Bezreh and Currie on a single up third base to make it an 8-1 game.

“We just knew that we wanted to get some more insurance runs because we know that Dracut is a good hitting team and it wasn’t going to be easy in the seventh inning,” Mahoney said.

Up against Burlington senior captain pitcher Courtney Lanfranchi, who pitched a complete game, Dracut was able to muster a little momentum in the top of the seventh.

“That first inning (Lanfranchi) struggled a little bit, but then I think she just really settled down after that first inning. I mean maybe the nerves began, but she pitched really well for us today.

“(She) just settled in nicely and even under pressure she did great.”

Dracut hit three singles and landed on base after a few Red Devil infield and outfield mishaps, earning one run to make it 8-2, but ultimately Lanfranchi got the third out.

“Going into the sixth inning, up seven, makes it a little easier,” Mahoney continued, “(but) that last out was a tough out.

“(Dracut) had lead runners on multiple times and we were able to put them down, so good job all around.

“I’m so proud of (Burlington),” Mahoney said.

Burlington plays in the semi-finals on June 9 at Martin Field against the winner of the Arlington Catholic and North Reading matchup scheduled for June 7.