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Ipswich clinches best record in CAL softball

The preseason talk in Cape Ann League softball might have been about Amesbury, North Andover and North Reading. But Ipswich High showed it could match up against the traditional powers and then some.

The Tigers (14-1) clinched at least a tie for the Cape Ann League Small championship with a 7-1 victory over Lynnfield yesterday. Ipswich has also guaranteed itself at least a tie for best overall record in the CAL.

Kerry Desmond pitched a complete-game five-hitter with nine strikeouts and only one walk. Junior second baseman Krista MacKenzie was 3 for 4 (including a pair of doubles) with two RBIs. Kelley Michael was 2 for 4 with two RBIs and Jackie Hulbert finished 2 for 2 with an RBI. Desmond was 2 for 3. Ipswich overcame an early 1-0 overtime deficit with a run in the third and three in the fourth to take control.

"Lynnfield is the most improved team in the league and this was a classic trap game for us after the great win we had over (perennial power) Amesbury the previous day," said Ipswich coach Doug Woodworth. "But when we have a three-run lead like that, we like our chances with Desmond on the mound."

Woodworth said the Tigers are proud of their record, but they're not about to relax.

"It's what we were shooting for," Woodworth said of the CAL title. "But like the girls said, they don't want to share the title, they want it (outright). They've really put a lot of time and effort into getting to this point."