Londonderry Lancers Softball '15 Home at RallyNorth.net : North of Boston Sports from the Inside Out

Sprague, Lancers surprise again

LONDONDERRY — Melissa Sprague and the Londonderry softball team completed a phenomenal week by nipping Timberlane 1-0 Friday afternoon.

Sprague, who defeated Salem and its ace, Rachel Towler on Wednesday, bested Timberlane ace Kate Hoadley, 1-0 Friday, lowering her ERA to less than 0.30. Against Timberlane, one of the best hitting teams in the state, Sprague gave up only four hits while striking out seven.

"Both wins were big, but probably the win over Salem is bigger," said Sprague. "Before the game, our coach (Wayne MacDougall) said that we hadn't beaten Salem in eight years. To win it for him was amazing."

Hoadley was nearly as effective Friday, limiting Londonderry to five hits and giving up just a single run in the sixth. Lizzie Niven reached on a single and freshman Lauren Misiaszek (2 for 3) drove in pinch runner Rachel Simkovich with the game's only run.

The Lancers have now won seven of their last eight games and now stand at 8-4, which is a remarkable performance for a team with only one returning full time starter and is undeclass dominated.

"It's very surprising," said MacDougall. "When we were 1-3, I didn't think we could beat anyone, but we started hitting and Melissa has been amazing. And these girls show no fear.

"We have some good younger players. Misiaszek is going to be a real good one."

For Timberlane (8-3), which has lost three of its last four games, no one had more than one hit.

Softball, 05/08/15 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars

Salem stunned

Melissa Sprague threw a brilliant three-hitter, striking out 14, as Londonderry beat Salem in softball for the first time since 2008. Summer Vose had a two-run single for the Lancers (7-4), who had five hits off losing pitcher Rachel Towler. Ironically, Sprague is tutored by Salem coach Harold Sachs. The Blue Devils fell to 8-2.

Softball, 05/06/15 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars

Humongous rout

Londonderry crushed Nashua South 25-0 in five innings to improve to 6-4. The Lancers took advantage of 18 walks and got five hits and six RBIs from freshman Maryellen Leach.

Softball, 05/04/15 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars

Sprague Show

Melissa Sprague fired a 3-hitter with nine strikeouts and collected three hits and drove in five runs to carry Londonderry to a 9-0 win over Concord.

Softball, 04/30/15 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars

Unlikely winner

The No. 1 pitcher was sick and the No. 2 pitcher struggled so Londonderry coach Wayne MacDougall took a chance and called on freshman outfielder Maryellen Leach in the second inning. She went the rest of the way in Londonderry's 8-6 win over previously 3-0 Concord. The Tide scored twice in the bottom of the seventh and had runners on second and third. But Leach cooly retired the final two batters.

Softball, 04/24/15 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars

Super Sprague

Londonderry senior Melissa Sprague, who pitched very little last year, was sensational in her season debut, striking out 17 while allowing just one hit in a 2-0 victory over rival Pinkerton.

Softball, 04/13/15 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars

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