RallyNorth.net

Salem bats showing life

Friday, April, 17 By Dave Dyer
Staff writer

LONDONDERRY — After a strong preseason and banging out three hits in Salem's first game, junior surprise Amanda Vaudreuil probably didn't need a psychological ploy yesterday afternoon.

But, prior to taking on a young, but talented Londonderry squad, veteran Salem coach Harold Sachs used one anyway.

"I reminded her that in the JV tournament last year (starting Londonderry pitcher) Erica Boehm struck her out three times," said Sachs.

That struck a nerve with Vaudreuil.

"I remember striking out, but I didn't remember who the pitcher was," said Vaudreuil. "When I heard that, I wanted to stick it to her."

Vaudreuil laced a line drive right at the center fielder her first time up and then, in the top of the fourth, slashed a three-run double in Salem's six-run output that was all winning pitcher Nora Galvin needed in a 6-1 victory.

Vaudreuil, who fielded her only two chances at shortstop flawlessly, added a single in the sixth and is now 5 for 7 after two games. Thus far, she's clearly the surprise of the team.

"I wasn't expecting this because I played third last year," said Vaudreuil. "But he put me at shortstop and I'm really excited about it. The last two games have given me a lot of confidence."

And, says Sachs, "as long as Amanda keeps playing like this, she has an opportunity to play a lot of softball for us."

Salem's bats obviously weren't as hot as they were in their stunning 32-0 blowout of Manchester West in the opener, but they again showed promise against Londonderry sophomores Boehm and Emily Zwart. The Blue Devils finished with seven hits, but hit several other balls hard that were caught. Erica DePinto joined Vaudreil with two hits.

Galvin went the distance for the win, allowing just four hits while striking out seven and walking two. Londonderry's lone run came in the third on successive singles by Boehm and Danielle Crutcher and a double rundown that allowed pinch runner Ally Bermudez to score.

"We didn't intend on Nora going all the way, but she got stronger as the game went on," said Sachs. "She's had some problems with her control, but she's getting better."

For Londonderry, Zwart pitched three scoreless innings of relief after hurling a shutout in Londonderry's opener. 

"I think we'll be okay," said Londonderry coach Wayne MacDougall, who starts six sophomores and a freshman. "We didn't hand it to them. They took it and won the game."