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Londonderry win over Salem no small matter

Saturday, April, 26 By Dave Dyer
Staff writer

Even though it was a milestone for him, Londonderry coach Wayne MacDougall tried to downplay yesterday's 4-2 victory over two-time defending Class L champion Salem.

Although it was his first win over Salem in 12 years as head coach, MacDougall stressed that "it's only April," and that it'd be much more important later in the season.

Some of his players knew better.

"Coach said it's just a regular season game, but none of us believed that," said winning pitcher Andrea Ouellette. "Most of us have been here for three years and we've been determined to beat them. Just beating Salem anytime is a big accomplishment."

Ouellette was certainly key in making it all happen. She started and picked up the win, allowing two runs on four hits through 5<1/3> innings before leaving the game with a sore ankle injured the previous inning when she slid back into first base.

Moreover, Ouellette led off the game with an infield hit, scored the game's first run and was 3 for 4 on the day.

Londonderry (7-1) started the game with three runs off Salem pitcher Erin Lyons. Other than a solid single by Brooke Beaudet (2 for 3, RBI), Londonderry scored courtesy of two infield hits, a walk, a wild pitch and two errors. It was reminiscent of Salem's 7-3 loss to Timberlane in which shaky fielding led to three Timberlane runs in the first inning.

"It was a good battle after the first inning," said Salem coach Harold Sachs. "We hung in there and I give my kids credit for that. We had our chances, but we have to get healthy and be consistent."

Salem (5-3) was without catcher Eric DePinto, who was home with flu-like symptoms, and standout senior Alex Gallant is still unable to pitch because of a finger injury.

The Blue Devils got a single run back in the bottom of the first when Katie Bettencourt tripled and was driven home on a hard single by Steph Cabral. And, after freshman Daniele Crutcher (2 for 3) scored again for Londonderry in the second, the Blue Devils scored the final run of the game when Gallant singled home Nora Galvin, who had walked, in the bottom of the third.

Ouellette then retired Salem in order in the fourth and fifth. But, when two batters reached base with one out in the sixth and her ankle was hurting, Brooke Beaudet entered the game in relief and shut the door, striking out three in the next inning and two-thirds to pick up the save.

"Getting those (early runs) gave me a little confidence," said Ouellette. "I don't usually get nervous, but I was nervous before this game. It's the first game I've started against Salem."

For Salem, the red-hot Bettencourt and Gallant both had two hits. In addition to her triple, Bettencourt ripped a double to right field, flied to left and smashed a ball deep to center field that was snared by Beth Rosenberg.

"A win in April is not the same as June, but it is nice to win here," conceded MacDougall. "It probably means more to the kids."