Lynn's Wyoma softball wins state title

WORCESTER — Last year, Wyoma had to sit and watch as Jesse Burkett celebrated a state championship in front of them.

On Sunday at Rockwood Field, Wyoma got a chance to redeem themselves on Burkett’s home field. And thanks to a quick start and brilliant pitching from Katie Cuozzo, they did just that.

Wyoma scored twice in the first inning and then rode the right arm of Cuozzo to a 3-1 win over Burkett in the state title game, earning them a trip to next week’s Eastern Regional in Albany, NY.

“The girls came back ready (following a 6-5 loss on Saturday in their first chance to clinch the title),” Wyoma manager Paul DeJoie said. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Burkett. They are a great team and Worcester opened its arms to us while we were here.”

The day got even better for Wyoma when it returned home as the team was escorted back into the city by the Lynn Police and Fire Departments with a parade through Ward 1 through hundreds of well-wishers, ending up at the Lynn Woods softball diamond. There a huge throng of fans greeted the team.

“I was riding behind them and to see their smiles was unbelievable,” DeJoie said. “It was then that I realize that these girls are like rock stars. To see that kind of support is something that I’ll never forget.”

A day after seeing Burkett extend the best-of-three series to the limit in dramatic fashion, Wyoma tried to take any drama out of the game early against Burkett’s ace, Julie Marshall.

After Cuozzo tap-danced out of trouble in the top of the first, stranding a pair of runners, Sam Earp got the bottom of the first inning rally started by reaching on a one out error.

Jennie Erekson followed with a double to left that put two runners in scoring position. Earp gave Wyoma the lead when Olivia DeJoie reached on a dribbler down the first base line.

Taylor Cushing upped the gap to 2-0 when she singled to left, scoring Erekson. Marshall escaped further damage though, stranding Kailey Cormier and Cuozzo on base.

After a quiet second inning, the hosts threatened big time in the top of the third. Courtney Fluet and Marshall singled before Cuozzo struck out Abi Francis.

A Megan D’Elia fielder’s choice erased Marshall at second and moved Fluet to third. But that’s where she stayed as Audra Blankenship popped out to DeJoie at first to end the inning.

“Katie is very good. She’s one of the best we’ve seen,” Burkett manager Jim Marshall said. “She pitched against us last year and she’ll do very well in Albany.”

Wyoma added to its lead in the bottom of the fourth as the reserves went to work. Cuozzo singled and was sacrificed to second by Nicole Cameron. Marianne Halas then singled to right, scoring pinch runner Angela Erelli to give Wyoma a 3-0 lead.

“They made the plays in every single game and that was the difference,” Marshall said.

That insurance run proved to be huge as Burkett finally cracked Cuozzo in the top of the fifth. With two outs, Francis singled and stole second. Megan D’Elia followed with a base hit up the middle, scoring Francis to cut the lead to a pair of runs.

“They had their chances and we knew they would,” DeJoie said. “They have a couple of batters that make you very nervous.”

Wyoma then polished off the title in style in the sixth. Cuozzo struck out Annalie Walsh-Costello before Courtney Vail singled. But Erelli threw her out at second trying to stretch it to a double. Ari Yates then went down swinging to seal the title and spark a wild celebration in the middle of the diamond.

“When we started 30 days ago I wouldn’t have believed this could happen,” DeJoie said.

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