RallyNorth.net

Amesbury reaches first sectional final since 2005 with victory over Stoneham

Wednesday, June, 04 By Dan Guttenplan
Staff writer

The Ghost of Amesbury Past arrived at Martin Field yesterday and dominated a thought-to-be-superior state tournament foe.

The Indians performance was vintage 2005 when they last advanced to the EMass. Division 2 North final at the end of the Ashley Waters era.

Waters, who is now starring at University of Maine, was on hand yesterday coaching first base for an eighth-ranked Amesbury squad that routed fifth-ranked Stoneham, 8-0. Amesbury pitcher Jordan Oliva showed Waters-like dominance, allowing a total of four base runners in the shutout. Amesbury's fifth, sixth and seventh batters provided the offense; Kelsey Fournier (3 for 5, 3 runs scored), Kate Hathaway (3 for 5, 3 RBIs) and Kate Bartley (3 for 4, 4 RBIs) reached base safely in 11 of 14 plate appearances.

In what Amesbury coach Chris Perry deemed his team's best game of the season, the Indians reversed a tournament trend that surfaced in wins over Dracut and Concord-Carlisle | committing errors on defense. The squad was perfect in the field; Indians right fielder Kerri Salvatore even robbed Stoneham's Nicolette Del Vecchio of an extra-base hit in the fifth inning when she made a diving catch in foul territory.

"It was a strange game," Amesbury coach Chris Perry said. "I never expected our kids to be here. But this was the best we've played. I really wish I had an explanation for it, but I don't want to think past tomorrow."

Amesbury (17-6) will meet seventh-ranked Central Catholic (17-6) in the Division 2 North final Saturday at Martin Field in Lowell. The Indians fell to Dracut in their last sectional final appearance in 2005.

This year's run is undoubtedly more surprising seeing as though the Indians closed the regular season with losses in three of their last five games. The 2005 Amesbury squad entered the sectional final with a perfect record of 23-0.

"I definitely think we showed our potential," Hathaway said. "I think we all want it. When it comes to states, we know we have to play our best."

The Indians have won four state titles (1988, '89, '97 and 2000) since Perry's arrival in 1985. The veteran coach has a career record of 459-68 and has led his teams to 16 Cape Ann League titles. His current team's six losses are two more than any Amesbury squad has posted since 2001.

But no Amesbury squad since 2005 has won the requisite three tournament games to reach the sectional final.

"That's why I never got comfortable this entire game," Perry said. "I know (Stoneham) can really hit the ball. But we didn't make any errors and Jordan didn't give up walks."

Oliva did encounter her share of adversity, though, as her pitching motion drew the ire of the first-base umpire. She was called for illegal pitches in four instances, including two in the first inning. Three times, Oliva had just recorded an out when the first-base umpire nullified the play and instead called the pitch a ball.

"At first, I had no idea what I was doing wrong," Oliva said. "It took the entire first inning to figure it out. Even after the inning, I went out in the outfield and figured it out. It's scary when you're not sure what you're doing. They said my foot wasn't staying on the rubber when I was throwing."

Perry and Waters disputed the illegal-pitch calls in both instances during the first inning, but the umpire called additional infractions in the second and fifth. Oliva's plant (right) foot appeared to shift forward just as she released the pitch with her right hand.

"She hasn't been called for an illegal pitch once in three years," Perry said. "It's not like she's gaining anything by jumping up. I know the rule, but I don't think she's doing anything wrong."

Not much else went wrong for the Indians on a day when their fans sang tribal cheers in the first-place bleachers. Next stop for the Indians student fan base: Lowell for a showdown with Arlington Catholic with a sectional title at stake. The Indians won the most recent meeting between the schools, 1-0, April 24, 2007 .

This year's Central Catholic stood behind the backstop yesterday, scouting its sectional final opponent before its 7 p.m. nightcap. The Merrimack Valley Conference representative then went on the record its third consecutive shutout of the tournament.

Something tells me a fourth shutout will not be in the cards Saturday if Amesbury can carry its momentum.