Peabody Girls Await Championship Game [PHOTOS]

Solid defense and a complete game from Olivia Keane gave Peabody West a 13-1 win over Swampscott Friday at Wyoma Little League in Lynn.

The Peabody Little League softball 12-year-olds move to the championship game on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in Swampscott, while the Swampscott team plays next on Tuesday.

It's a double elimination tournament, so whichever team emerges from the bracket of teams with one loss will have to beat the undefeated Peabody girls twice.

Friday's game was Peabody's third of the District 16 tournament. Earlier, the young Tanners and then reigning champs Wyoma, 15-10, before taking on Swampscott.

Swampscott, likewise has played three games, defeating Salem, 15-5, and Saugus, 4-2, before losing to Peabody.

On Friday, several of the Swampscott girls hit the ball hard and the team appeared ready to rack up runs, but each time, Peabody fielders cut short the momentum by making plays.

Swampscott Manager Richard Faulkner said Riley Lord and Sydney Faulkner and others hit the ball hard, but right at the defenders.

Swampscott got off to a shaky start, he said. Peabody pushed three runs across in the top of the second inning.

Swampscott pushed its run across in the bottom of the third due in part to aggressive base running.

Peabody Manager Jon Blake said Olivia Keane threw strikes throughout the game and got stronger at the end of the game.

He said the team hit well from the top to the bottom of the batting order.

Sammy Scurio played exceptional infield, he said. In fact the entire infield fielded their positions.

Handling the catching duties for Peabody was Luciana Mastromatteo.

Riley Lord battled on the mound for Swampscott. 

Catching for Swampscott was Kasey Kennedy.