U-14 Magicians Battle Back to Beat Gloucester [VIDEO]

The U-14 Marblehead Magicians softball team handed Gloucester their second loss of the season Monday night, winning a close one at Veterans Field, 6-5.

Marblehead trailed 4-2 heading into their turn at bat, with the top of the order coming up after 5 ½ innings against Gloucester pitcher Amanda Loebelenz.

Kaylyn Countie led off with a walk and went to third on a double by Maeve Daly. Countie came home on a groundout by Amanda Zarni to make it 4-3 with one out.  Meghan Tierney walked and came home right behind Daly when Sara Bornstein smashed a double into right field, putting the Magicians ahead for the first time, 5-4.

Marblehead (5-3) grabbed an insurance run that they would need, when Bornstein scored on a single Emily Tejada.

Gloucester (7-2) came into Monday night’s game off their first loss of the season, falling to the Merrimack Red Raiders last Thursday night.

Gloucester pulled within one run when the Tess Benson scored to make it 6-5. Gloucester had runners on first and second with one out, when the Magicians defense made the play of the game.

Gloucester’s Casey Oliver hit a shot into left field that Caroline Tucker charged, scooped up threw to Zarni at third for a force out. Instead of bases loaded with one out and a one run lead, Tucker’s great play left runners on first and second with two outs, Marblehead still up by one.

Sarah Cuffe, who relieved starter Kaylyn Countie, got the third out and Marblehead had, “our best win of the year,” according to manager George Shapiro.

Gloucester broke out on top 3-0 with three in the top of the third off Countie, who made her return to action after missing time with a back injury.

“Kaylyn pitched well, she’s been hurt and it’s great to have her back,” Shapiro said.

Alexa Shapiro made it 3-1 after three full when she came home on a groundout to second by Alexa Ehrenberg.

The Magicians made it 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth, Meghan Tierney lined a single over shortstop driving in Amanda Zarni, who walked to start the inning off.

Gloucester made it 4-2 in the top of the sixth, setting the stage for the offensive outburst by the Magicians.

“I told the team to stay focused, work to get on base and we’d get those runs back,” Shapiro said. “Gloucester’s a very good team, but we’re a good team too.”

Countie struck out five in her return to the mound, Cuffe whiffed six batters, including all three Nor’easters in the fifth inning on her way to the win.

Marblehead will be looking to keep on winning when they travel to Beverly for a game Tuesday night. The girls are home Thursday night against Amesbury.

Download the movie

Download the movie