Wakefield Uses Eight Runs in Fifth Inning to Beat Peabody West Softball All-Stars

After falling behind 1-0 early, the Peabody West softball All-Stars were ahead 6-2 after 5 ½ innings. Wakefield erupted for eight runs in the bottom of the fifth and held on for 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.

“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.”

Hannah 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.

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 and 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. Devyn Gouveia, Bailey Finnochio, D'Arco and Melissa Malloy also scored for Wakefield.

Peabody West’s attack was led by Gabby Koch who had 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’ve just 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. Bailey Finnochio, Caitlin Hankard and Jade Ruscio made nice defensive plays in the field for Wakefield.

Game two of the best of three state sectional semifinals, Tuesday night in Worcester.

Download the movie

Download the movie