RallyNorth.net

Red hot Perry leads Swampscott's Big Four

Friday, May, 16 By Mike Grenier
Staff writer

Swampscott High softball coach Annamaria Addonizio sounded a little breathless on the ride home from Winthrop Wednesday night, like she needed an oxygen mask.

She'll take that feeling anytime her team can pull out a big win in dramatic fashion.

With visions of first place in the Northeastern Conference South still in mind, Swampscott shaded Winthrop, 3-2, on catcher Sam Perry's two-out, two-run single in the seventh. The victory left the Big Blue (9-5) alone in second place, just a game behind Danvers in the loss column.

Perry's game-winning heroics came as no surprise to her teammates and coach. For pitchers Carissa Roche and sophomore Kristin Vinal, having Perry behind the plate is like putting on a comfortable pair of shoes. Perry is a four-year starter and has a clear understanding of what her pitchers need to do.

However, the biggest improvement in Perry's game has come on offense. She's off the charts this season, hitting .634 with a team-high 15 RBIs. Addonizio calls her an unsung hero, but Perry is really having an MVP-type of season considering her all-around contributions.

"She's awesome behind the plate and is hitting like crazy," said Addonizio, who adjusted the way Perry holds the bat, putting her hands closer together. "Sam is like a different person with the bat. Her summer league coach came up to me and said, 'Whatever you did with her, let me know because it's going to help me as a coach.' I didn't do much at all, just noticed something minor. Sam is the one doing all the hitting."

Perry's teammates, some of whom have been playing with her since grammar school, have been in awe of how she's transformed herself from a pretty good hitter in previous years to one of the toughest outs in the conference.

"As a senior captain, she's been incredible," said Big Blue junior Marissa Gambale, who's had a superb year at shortstop and as a leadoff batter who often reaches base ahead of Perry. "The whole team has so much faith in Sam. We're not quite sure how she's doing it, but we just want her to keep it up."

Junior Mallarie McGrath, who's been a stalwart at second base and third base for the Big Blue, said, "I've played with (Perry) forever, going back to travel teams. She's always been a good hitter, but something's happened this year. She's just so much better."

Perry said this has been "by far" her best season. She hasn't been paying much attention to her batting average, but when she found out what it was, she said, "Are you serious? I had no idea it was anything like that. I'm much happier with my performance and how we've come together as a team."

Led by Perry, Swampscott has what you might call the Big Four. Gambale, a three-year starter, is hitting .532 at the top of the order and immediately exerts pressure on the opposing team with her ability to steal bases. McGrath is hitting .511 with 13 RBIs at the No. 2 spot and has yet to make an error at either second or third base. Senior centerfielder Katherine Gorham has heated up in the last few games and has pushed her average to .525 with 13 RBIs.

"McGrath has a great swing | she has all the skills and this is her best year," said Addonizio, "and Gambale is very dangerous because she hits from the left side. She's a tough out. She's 15-for-15 in stolen bases, so she's always a threat. Sometimes Marissa will reach base, steal second and Mallarie will sacrifice bunt her to third.

"After that we have Gorham and Perry coming up, so our chances of scoring are very good."

Swampscott is averaging better than six runs per game, and the players feel the team could make a lot of noise in the state tourney. As a team, Swampscott is hitting .358

"I think this is the most talented team since I've been here," said Gambale. "We're one of the top teams (in the NEC), and I think we can go pretty far (in the postseason)."