Danvers Squeaks by Marblehead U-18 Softball

Marblehead brought the tying run to the plate with Maggie Hermann on third after a seventh-inning triple, but Danvers pitcher Nicole Morrissey struck out Kathleen Reilly to secure a 9-7 win for the Danvers Falcons Wednesday night.

Danvers (7-4) handed the Rock their 11th loss of the season in Wednesday's U-18 softball matchup in Marblehead. Marblehead finished 1-11 on the season, but coach Jay Epstein said he wasn't at all disappointed after the game.

“The girls played hard all season, we were competitive in just about every game, and it was a pleasure to be with these girls this summer,” Epstein said.

Sarah Hastings pitched a complete game for the Rock, striking out five, but couldn’t shut down Emma Crowley and Taylor Belakonis. Crowley scored three times and Belakonis had three RBI’s as the Falcons stormed back after falling behind 5-1.

“Sarah pitched well, Kristina (Legget) was great behind the plate, we played hard until the last out,” Epstein said.

Legget nabbed two runners trying steal and Hannah Leahy was flawless at third base until she had to leave the game after being hit on the wrist with a fastball in the fourth inning.

Leahy and Olivia Vener each crossed the plate twice for Marblehead and Melissa Epstein, Lucia Chalek, and Hastings scored single runs in the loss.

Vener, Emily Promise, Hermann, Rachel McKay and Chalek had hits Wednesday night. Epstein drove in a run in the fifth, and Chalek had four RBI's for the Rock.

Wednesday night’s game was a make-up and was the last game of the season in the Middle Essex Softball League.

Morrissey pitched a complete game for Danvers, and knocked in the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh with a triple to left center with one out and Crowley on second.

Crowley’s dad Brian is the Falcons' assistant coach and is the boys track coach at .

“The girls didn’t get down, they played hard and gave a good effort all season, we had a lot of close games this year,” Epstein said.