Softball All-Stars Fall to Defending Champs

Swampscott's Little League  11- and 12-year-old softball all-star team squeaked by Marblehead 12-10 in a hard-fought game at Mack Park in Salem Monday.

The end of the game turned into a real see-saw affair, with the two teams trading runs in the final frames.

Marblehead pushed runs across the plate in the top of the sixth inning to close to within two runs of Swampscott - and had runners on base when Hannah Leahy closed the door.

'That's a very scrappy team, Marblehead," said Swampscott Coach Jim Capone. "(The win) could have been reversed in no time."

In the end, some key hitting and pitching, and leadership from the battery mates — Hannah Leahy and Olivia Cooke —  secured the win for Swampscott.

"Our pitcher and catcher are veterans from last year and they kept things together," Capone said.

Swampscott pitcher Hannah Leahy struck out 13 batters. 

Marblehead coach Dick Nohelty said he was pleased to see good pitching from Emily Promise and that his team stuck together.

"They hit well and stayed aggressive on the bases," he said.

Marblehead battled back throughout the game.

Monday's game at Mack Park was the first of the double-elimination All-Star tournament. Marblehead will move on to compete in the losers bracket for a chance to advance. Swampscott won the state championship in 2010.