Sports
Wakefield Uses 8 Runs in the Fifth to Beat Peabody West Softball [VIDEO]
The Peabody West softball All-Stars were cruising along in Wakefield Sunday, until the home team exploded for eight runs on the way to a 10-8 win in the first game of the sectional semi-finals.
After falling behind 1-0 early, the Peabody West softball Senior All-Stars were ahead 6-2 after 5-½ innings. Peabody West couldn't hold the lead, however, as Wakefield erupted for eight runs in the bottom of the fifth and then closed out a 10-8 win on Sunday afternoon in Wakefield.
“That was a tough inning, for sure,” Peabody West coach John Barresi said. “We were aggressive early on the bases and got the lead, but we just couldn’t hold it; we’ll have to be better on Tuesday.”
Game two of the best-of-three playoff series will be held at Burkett Field in Worcester Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
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“We’re happy with the win, the girls played strong,” Wakefield coach Al D’Arco said. “We’ll go with the same lineup Tuesday, the same pitcher (Hannah D’Arco). The girls didn’t get down when we were behind, it was a nice comeback for us.”
D’Arco retired the side in the sixth, but Peabody West tried to make some noise trailing by four in the top of the seventh.
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Behind 10-6, Ashley Jenkins, Gabby Koch and Katie French got on base with no outs in the top of the seventh. Jenkins and Koch came home on an RBI single by Mikayla Wallace, but Paige Hayward, who was running for French, got gunned down at home for the first out. D’Arco walked Juliana Barresi, but retired Dominique DelBene on a groundout to end the game.
Wakefield’s offense was led by Alana DeSimone who had two hits, walked once and scored three runs. Carianna Gasdia scored two runs for the winners, while Jenna Cooney went three for four at the plate.
Peabody West’s attack was led by Gabby Koch who had a single and scored three times to go with two hits each by Mikayla Wallace and Juliana Barresi.
“It’s frustrating — that inning is not indicative of how we play,” Barresi said. “We can play with them (Wakefield), we just have to cut down on the mistakes. We’ll be better next game.”
Molly Bovio pitched a complete game for Peabody West, striking out three. Wakefield’s D’Arco picked up the win, pitching all seven innings, striking out six.
Both teams made sparkling plays in the field: Koch tracked down a line drive in left center that prevented two Wakefield runs and Bailey Finnochio made several nice plays in the field for Wakefield.
