Another summer to remember

Marblehead conquers state for second time in three years

BY JOE MCCONNELL

The Marblehead Little League Softball senior division 15-16-year-old all-star team was at it again this summer. They ended up in the East Regionals in Worcester after winning the state championship, where they hooked up with nine other state-title teams from the Mid-Atlantic and New England states, plus the host team Worcester to compete for the right to go to the Little League Senior Division World Series in Sussex, Delaware.

Two years ago, as 13-year-olds, many of the same girls advanced to this same round in Bristol, Conn.

On July 22, the Marblehead girls defeated the host team, 11-0, to begin this year’s regional tournament, and they did it in style as a result of a no-hitter by Tessa Francis. Her teammates Tess Andriano and Ashley Mortensen led the offense with two hits, while Lillian Reddy was credited with a triple and scored twice.

After taking a break for a few hours, Marblehead maintained the winning momentum by defeating Connecticut, 8-2. Ruby Calienes pitched a complete-game three-hitter, while the offense was led again by Andriano with three hits. Lucy Rogers and Isabel Mortensen each accounted for one hit and two walks, while also scoring twice. Nora Mahan doubled once and scored a run.

The next day, Marblehead lost to top-seeded Rhode Island, 14-6, before being knocked out of the regional tournament on Monday, July 24 by Delaware, 5-4. But two days later, the top seed lost to New Jersey, 10-5, in the East finale.

“It was a great team effort throughout the East regional, and it went right down to the last out against Delaware,” said manager Art Rogers. Tom McGovern and Anthony Andriano were his coaches.

The World Series started this past weekend in Delaware, where once again New Jersey represented the East. Lucy Rogers, Chloe Mahoney, Nora Mahan, Ashley Mortensen, Isabel Mortensen, Kate Andriano, Tess Andriano, Hailey Schmitt, Tessa Francis, Ruby Calienes, Lyla McGovern, Lillian Reddy and Sophia Hallesey made up the 2023 state championship senior division all-star squad.