The Marblehead Little League softball team competed in the Little League Seniors (ages 15-16) World Series East Regional in Worcester.
Under the direction of Manager Art Rogers and Coaches Anthony Andriano and Tom McGovern, the team won two games and lost two, an improvement from last year’s lone win.
Marblehead defeated the host team, Worcester, 11-0 behind a dominant pitching display from Tessa Francis, who pitched a no-hitter.
“Worcester had a young team like us,” Rogers said. “They struggled a bit, but I think they had an injury or two.”
Marblehead then beat Connecticut, a team that bested it last year, 8-2. Ruby Calienes was on the mound.
“Connecticut was very good. They beat us last year so it was good to get the upper hand this time around,” Rogers said. “We got off to a good start and our pitcher pitched a very good game and only allowed three hits.”
Marblehead then lost 14-6 to the number-one seed, Rhode Island, in a back-and-forth game.
“We lost to Rhode Island, who ended up making it to the finals,” Rogers said. “We were down four runs, then came back to tie it, and it was a back-and-forth game until they pulled away in the sixth inning.”
Marblehead was officially eliminated against Delaware in a close game that ended 5-4.
“I told the girls they just made one more play. There were two outs in the bottom of the seventh, and their ninth hitter got a hit and ended our season,” Rogers said.
Despite not qualifying for the World Series, Rogers is happy with the progress the team is showing each year.
“Most of these girls have played together since they were 10. When they were 10 we went to the State Finals and lost to Worcester. In the last three years we won State Championships and went to Regionals,” Rogers said. “We never made it to the World Series, but every year we are getting a little bit closer.”
Rogers said the girls enjoy the tournament and are making friends with players from different states, who they continue to stay in touch with.
“There are seven or eight girls who have played in Regionals before and who made friends with some players from the other teams like Maryland and Connecticut,” Rogers said. “They see familiar faces at these events. They follow each other on social media and see each other around the hotel we stay at. It’s great for them.”
“Last year we were eliminated from Maryland and while the girls were going through the handshake line, without any coaches or parents saying anything they all decided to take a team picture together,” he added. “That picture ended up being run in the Baltimore Sun. It was really cool to see that from the team.”
With a young team, Rogers hopes the players will continue to improve and one day make it to the World Series.
“In past Regionals, we only won one game, so to win two is progress for this team. I’m proud of the way we played. We would have loved to win that third game, but hopefully, this is shades of what is to come in the future,” Rogers said. “The girls really enjoy it.”