LYNN — Sometimes the breaks just don’t go your way.
That was the case with the Classical softball team Thursday, as the Rams couldn’t find any open grass to hit into in a 5-2 loss to Gloucester at Lynn Woods Field. Classical made contact in nearly every at-bat, but almost every time those hits went directly into the glove of a Gloucester defender.
“We hit the ball great, but all of the hits were right at them,” said Classical coach Erika Richard. “I think we just too a little too long to settle in. We can’t always rely on one big inning to get back into games, we need to chip away. And we just weren’t able to do that.”
The Rams got a solid performance out of their own pitcher, Brooke Warren, in the circle. Warren pitched a complete game, allowing five runs on 11 hits with four strikeouts. She allowed all of the runs over the first four innings before settling down to retire nine of the final 10 batters she faced.
“(Gloucester) came out swinging, and we knew that was going to happen,” said Richard. “Brooke gave up a few early, but she really settled in once the game got going and she pitched a solid game. We need to back her up a little bit more with our offense.”
At the plate, Ciara Collins went 1-for-3 with a home run and one RBI. Maggie McHale also added one RBI, while Warren (1-for-3), Amanda Wilkins (1-for-3) and Kayla Morrill (1-for-3) each had one hit.
For Gloucester, Ella Marshall went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Elizabeth Schuster (2-for-4), Jenna Hoofnagle (2-for-4) and Maddie Machado (1-for-2) each had one RBI.
Gloucester jumped out in the top of the first and grabbed an early lead. The Fishermen were able to move runners to first and second with two outs for Hoofnagle, who laced a RBI single into right-centerfield to make it 1-0 Gloucester. The Fishermen went on to load the bases in the inning, but Warren worked her way out of the jam with a strikeout.
Gloucester added to its lead in the top of the third, getting a RBI double from Schuster to make it 2-0 before Machado knocked in a run on a RBI single to put the Fishermen up 3-0.
In the top of the fourth, Marshall capped the scoring for Gloucester with a two-run home run deep over the wall in left-centerfield that made it 5-0.
Classical finally got something going offensively in the bottom of the fifth. It started with Collins, who led off the inning with a deep solo home run over the fence in centerfield to make it 5-1. Warren followed that up with a double to get into scoring position, then she was sacrificed to third base. Next up was McHale, who dropped down a sacrifice bunt to bring Warren home and make it 5-2.
But that was as close as the Rams would get, as Gloucester pitcher Sydney McKay retired six of the final seven batters she faced to give the Fishermen the victory.
With two games left in the regular season, Classical (13-5) is hoping to get some positive momentum going into the state tournament. Add to that the fact that the Rams still have a shot at the Northeastern Conference title, and it’s clear that Classical still has plenty to play for.
“We’re in contention still, so it’s something to play for, “said Richard. “We want to play well these last two games and then take that momentum and bring it right into the tournament next week.”
Classical will take on Somerville Friday (5).