Mystic Valley Softball Advances to Semi-Finals

The Mystic Valley Lady Eagles ran their winning streak to 13 in a row with a 7 – 6 come from behind victory over Greater Lowell Tuesday night at Anderson Field in Malden.  The game was highlighted by spectacular defensive play and heads up base running by Mystic Valley.

The Eagles made a boatful of great defensive plays that prevented Greater Lowell from scoring and killed any chance of a Greater Lowell rally.

Brightest among the many defensive stars was Rachel Tortora who played the best post season defensive game at third base since Orioles’ Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson in the 1970 World Series. In one inning Tortora made two outstanding plays.

The first when came when she was playing in as there was a runner on third and nobody out. Greater Lowell tried for the squeeze bunt. Tortora raced in picked up the ball and faked the throw to first. The runner on third had started towards the plate but froze upon seeing that she wasn’t going to be able to score. The runner tried to scamper back to third but Tortora threw to the ever alert shortstop Michelle Doherty who covered third and applied the tag.

Later in that same inning Greater Lowell was again able to get a runner to third. The batter hit a screaming line drive down the third base line. Tortora not only made a great grab to snag the liner but then was able to tag the runner, who had strayed from the bag, out and end the inning.

The entire game was a seesaw battle with a very good Greater Lowell team that had beaten Mystic Valley earlier in the season 20 – 6.  Down by a score of 6 – 5 going into the bottom of the 6th, Junior Jordan Sullivan, who is 8 for her last 11 at bats with 3 triples and a Home Run, led off with a triple. 

The next batter sophomore, Krystiana Dimaro, executed a perfect bunt and stole second to put runners at second and third.  Up stepped Senior Sara Marraccino who delivered again with a double clearing the bases (giving her 4 RBI’s for the game) and putting the Eagles up 7 – 6 after 6 innings. 

The fun was certainly not over however.  Greater Lowell came up in their last at bat and promptly put runners on first and second with no one out.  After a series of fly balls and a walk, Greater Lowell had the bases loaded the tying run on third and the go ahead run on second. With a 3 -2 count on the batter, Mystic Valley’s ace eighth grade pitcher Leah Thomas was the picture of calm cool and collected. She took a deep breath, reared back and struck out the final batter to end the game. 

The Lady Eagles next head to Martins Field in Lowell to play Matignon in the Division 3 North State Semifinals on Thursday at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $6.00 for students and $8.00 for adults as set by the MIAA.