The Everett High softball team earned a hard fought 4-3 victory over Lynn English last Tuesday. Lady Crimson Tide hurler Michelle Zullo tossed a complete game gem for Coach Stacy Poste’s squad, going all seven innings and limiting English to just three hits and one earned run while fanning nine enemy hitters.
"Michelle pitched fabulously," said Poste. "In the first inning she walked two batters, but she got stronger as the game went on."
Timely hitting proved to be the other key element for Everett in the victory. The Lady Crimson Tide scored a run in the opening inning when Kristie Welch walked and Alea .Martinelli bunted and was safe at first thanks to an error by the English first baseman. Welch moved to third on the play and tagged up on a sacrifice fly by Amanda Ray.
After an English home run in the third tied matters at 1-1, Everett bounced back with two markers to regain the lead. Sam Rebelo started the rally with a single and Rachel Pierce followed with another base hit. After Erin McLaughlin walked to load the bases, Janyne Sierra came through with a double, knocking in two runs.
English battled back however, and pushed across two tallies in the fifth to knot matters at 3-3. However, in the sixth the Lady Crimson Tide notched the winning run. After McLaughlin singled, Sierra came through with another key base hit to send McLaughlin to third. Zullo then laid down a perfect sac bunt and McLaughlin scooted home when the throw went to first.
English threatened in the seventh, getting a runner into scoring position at second base with one out, but McLaughlin made a great catch in right field for the second out, with the runner tagging and going to third.. Zullo still had to get the English clean up hitter, but Michelle forced a pop up back to her, and though she bobbled it, she got control for the catch and the final out.
Everett then took on GBL archrival Malden on Thursday, but fell victim to a no hitter in a 3-0 loss. Zullo once again pitched a fine game in which she yielded just four hits, walked none, and gave up two earned runs.
The Lady Crimson Tide’s best chance to do some damage came in the second inning when they loaded the bases (thanks to walks). Tory Cyrus then unloaded a bomb to centerfield, but it was hauled in by the Malden centerfielder to end the threat.
Poste and her crew were set to travel to Medford yesterday (Tuesday) and to Somerville tomorrow. The girls will host Cathedral High Monday and travel to Cambridge Tuesday.