In Saturday’s first annual Todd Norman Memorial Game, Marblehead pitcher Tessa Francis allowed just five hits to go with a dozen strikeouts as the Magicians qualified for the Division 2 state tournament with a 5-1 win against Saugus.
Ashley Mortensen, Kate Andriano, and Hailey Schmitt collected two hits apiece, while Luka Bornhorst roped a triple and Lyla McGovern a single that helped put three runs on the board.
Taylor Deleidi pitched well for Saugus and collected a hit offensively. Lily Ventre of the Sachems continued her stellar season with a 3-for-3 performance.
“It was an extremely good game played by both teams,” said Saugus Coach Steve Almquist, who allowed the game to be played in Marblehead despite Saugus being the home team. “Even though we were on the wrong end of the stick, there were no losers today.”
Norman, a former assistant coach on Marblehead’s staff, died suddenly last April at age 61. He graduated MHS in 1980 and was the proud owner of Todd Norman Landscaping.
His daughter, Samantha, threw out the first pitch as players, coaches, parents, and fans of both programs looked on.
“Todd was a great friend, coach, husband, father, and grandfather,” Gold said.
