A season ago, the St. Mary’s softball team came tantalizingly close to winning the Division 3 North title, losing in extra innings to eventual state champion North Reading. And with the bulk of that team returning, the Spartans looked set to make another run to the title.On Sunday in Arlington, Katelynn Fanning twirled a 1-hit gem as the Spartans got an Anna Jackson single in the top of the 10th inning to beat Arlington Catholic, 1-0, and improve to 13-1 on the season.”This is an awesome group of kids,” St. Mary’s coach Colleen Newbury said. “They communicate so well on the field and on the bases. It’s just unbelievable.”Fanning, who saw time on the mound last season in the run to Lowell, struck out nine and walked three in her 10 innings of work.After the two teams played nine scoreless innings, international tiebreaker rules were invoked as each team is allowed to put a runner on second to begin the inning. Maria Nazzaro was that runner for the Spartans, and she was sacrificed to second by Ariel LaRosa.Anna Jackson then assumed a starring role as she singled to center, scoring Nazzaro with the game’s only run. The Cougars had the same opportunity in the bottom of the inning, but Fanning got a pop-up and a strikeout with the tying run at third.”(Fanning) spotted the ball better towards the middle and end of the game,” Newbury said.St. Mary’s hosts Cardinal Spellman tonight (7) at Grace Rogato Field in a battle for first place in the Catholic Central League/Large.St. Mary’s 16, Ursuline 4At Ursuline, the Spartans put this one away early, scoring nine times on six hits in the top of the first inning. Sam Kiley got the win, going six innings with six strikeouts and two earned runs.Ariel LaRosa was 3-for-3 with two RBI while Kristen Mondello also was 3-for-3 with an RBI. Kristina Burri was 2-for-4 with two RBI.GIRLS LACROSSESt. Mary’s 9, Williams 5At Manning Field, the Spartan (8-5) offense was a little slow to get started but once it did, St. Mary’s outscored the visitors 7-1 in the second half.Courtney Winters led the St. Mary’s attack with a hat trick while Bridget Donovan had two goals and an assist. Felicia Ruano added a pair of goals.Michelle Golden had a goal and two assists with Sue Hennessey adding a single marker.BOYS LACROSSEMasco 12, Peabody 8At Topsfield, the Tanners (10-4) got off to a slow start, trailing 6-3 at the half, and never could fully recover.Mike Pennachio had four goals to lead the Peabody attack. Mike Martin added a pair of goals with Derek West having a goal and two assists.Mark Jesi added a goal while Justin Famiglietti made 17 saves, several of them being of the spectacular variety.L’field 12, No. Read. 4At Lynnfield, the Pioneers got two goals and an assist from Pat Lamusta and a goal and two assists from Tim Lamusta. Phil Knox added a goal and three assists while Chris O’Connor made 12 saves.Fenwick 9, Matignon 3At Cambridge, the Crusaders (6-9) got two goals and three assists from Pat Doliber and two goals and two assists from Eamon Barrett. John Baker had a pair of goals and an assist while Joe Flaherty scored twice. Brandon Ballard also found the net for Fenwick, which must win its final three games to make the tournament.GIRLS TRACKIn the State Coaches Meet in Canton, Beverly continued to have a spectacular season as several runners turned in top performances. Maddy Wrable was second in the 800 (2:21.41); Monica Adler, third in mile (5:09.79); Millie Chapman, ninth in mile (5:29.09); Kelly O’Connor, fifth in 2-mile (11:26.23); and the 4×800 relay finished first (9:49.76).Saugus’ Lauren Atkins was ninth in the long jump (15-11) and Janelle Bean was 12th in the 300 hurdles (49.91).BOYS TRACKIn the State Coaches Meet at Durfee, St. John’s Matt Chitro won the intermediate hurdles (40.65) in one of the top times in the state this season, according to coach Ray Carey.