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Mazzone leads way

LAWRENCE — Nyah Mazzone is back as the Methuen leadoff batter, Lynette Urena is back in the groove.

And, after Methuen defeated Central Catholic 5-3 Wednesday afternoon, the Rangers are feeling confident entering this weekend's Methuen Invitational at the Burnham Road fields.

"You never want to limp into your own tournament and this should give us a boost," said Methuen coach Jason Smith, whose club improved to 12-6. "I think we showed a lot of toughness and I liked the way we responded after losing (to Central) Monday."

Mazzone, who started the year as the team's leadoff batter, but was moved down in the order after struggling, returned there last week and showed why Wednesday. She was 3 for 4 and scored three of the Rangers' runs.

She led of the game with a single, went to third on a Urena (3 for 3) double and scored along with Urena on a single by winning pitcher Kelsie McGonagle.

With the scored tied 2-2, Mazzone singled again and then scored when Urena drove the ball deep over the centerfield fence for a two-run homer to make it 4-2. Mazzone scored again in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Mathieu.

"Nyah worked hard after she got off to a slow start and started to look more comfortable, so we moved her back to leadoff and she responded," said Smith.

McGonagle got the win despite giving up nine hits. She stayed in control (not walking a batter) and got good defense behind her including from freshman second baseman Claudia Crowe.

For Central (13-7), which had won five straight, was led by Bella Jankowski, who was 3 for 3 with three RBIs. Courtney Woronka was 2 for 3 with two runs scored.