Winchester Softball Struggles to Keep Pace

The Winchester Under-14 softball team played the Wellesley girls on Tuesday night at Ginn Field. Six innings into the cool, wind- gusty, summer evening, Wellesley secured a win with 19 runs, to Winchester's 11.

The first inning was short in duration, as Winchester pitcher Jenny Benedict struck out two hitters, allowing one hitter to make it to first base in the first inning.

However, in the bottom of the fourth inning, Benedict cranked in a triple with bases loaded. She was in line for a grand slam, however sent back to third as the play ended before she reached home plate. Winchester was thrilled with Benedict's play, who pitched consistently well for Winchester, letting only a few hits from Wellesley pass.

Despite Benedict's strong hitting, Winchester could not keep up in the fifth. Three hitters walked to first despite Mary Manganaro's strong pitching. Wellesley brought six more runs into home, resorting to an early termination of the inning, with no more than six runs allowed per inning. In the bottom of the fifth Winchester gained runs by Jenny Santos, but could not catch up to Wellesley's substantial lead. Mary Manganaro stole second and third in the sixth inning, bringing the total to 11 runs for Winchester, to Wellesley's 19.     

Owing to the fact that the Winchester team was missing a large portion of the team, four under 12 division girls played up to fill the spots that Winchester needed.

"Our key pitcher is away tonight," said Winchester coach Bob Sutherland, "Mary Manganaro and Jenny Benedict stepped up to pitch, and have consistently come early to practice before games."

Sutherland mentioned that Manganaro arrives especially early in order to take pitching lessons prior to the game.

Emily Ghewalla, Sabrina Capone, Diana Ali, and Vicki Wallace were the four under-12 players that were asked to play up that evening. Sutherland was grateful to the girls for their commitment.

"The kids have a good time and they are learning bit by bit," said Sutherland.

Sutherland stressed that the game is dependent upon a team's pitcher. Despite Wellesley's unstoppable defense, Winchester pitchers Benedict and Manganaro held their own and as with the rest of the team, continued to learn how to improve their game, despite the absence of the teammates.