SWAMPSCOTT– For the past three years the Swampscott softball team has found a way to play at its best with perfect timing.
Last season, Swampscott finished the year at 15-10 with a run to the Division 2 North state tournament final. Pitching and defense led the way for the Big Blue, which return the majority of last spring’s team.
“We caught fire at the right time last season,” Swampscott coach Gary Moran said. “We had good pitching and defense. We won some games in the tournament.”
But with a new season quickly approaching, Swampscott now turns the page and retools for another run. Swampscott’s returning core starts with senior shortstop Riley Lord and junior second baseman Katie Watts, who returns to the team from an injury.
Also returning to the Big Blue are senior outfielder Margot Beaupre, senior infielder Mia Hopkins, junior centerfielder Sydney Cresta, junior first baseman Ashley Marston and junior catcher Sarah Ryan.
“We have a lot of experience,” Moran, in his third season at the helm of the program, said. “Riley has been on the team since her freshman season. She’s been to three straight sectional finals. She has seen what winning in the playoffs looks like. Having her leading our team will be a big help, especially with the younger girls. Experience will be one of our big positives this year.”
Perhaps the biggest challenge for the Big Blue will be replacing two-time Northeastern Conference Player of the Year Hannah Leahy. A pitcher, Leahy was stellar on the mound and at the plate for Swampscott. Leahy’s now pitching at Division III Rochester.
“You don’t replace Hannah,” Moran said. “Hannah was all-world for us in pitching, hitting and defense. We’re not looking to replace her. We’re just trying to put the pieces together as best we can. Having Katie back will help. The postseason runs that we’ve had in the past few seasons will be extremely beneficial to the girls as well.”
In addition to state tournament experience, Moran feels chemistry will be another key strength for the Big Blue this season.
“The girls, one through 13, seem to genuinely like each other,” Moran said. “Chemistry’s a big part of it as well. We have four seniors and five juniors so we’re stacked with upperclassmen. Our leadership and chemistry will take us as far as we need to go.”
Through the early stages of the preseason, Swampscott, like most other area teams, was limited to holding practices indoors. Moran and the Big Blue were able to get outdoors for the first time earlier this week.
“We have a cage in the gym so we’ve been working on hitting,” Moran said. “Defensively we’ve been working on positioning. Outfielders and infielders know where they’re going when the ball’s in play. Even when we’re inside there’s a lot of fundamentals we can work on.”
Swampscott opens the new season April 9 against conference opponent Marblehead.
“The girls are extremely excited,” Moran said. “They’re itching to get outside and onto an actual field.”