North American Womens Baseball League

Saints Win NAWBL Tournament of Champions

By Robert Keaney

Monday, September 13, 2004

Open Practice -Saturday, October 23, 10:00am and Sunday, October, 24 at 10am @ The New Fraser Field in Lynn, MA!

You might say pitcher Emily Hunt was well rested. She did not pitch an inning all summer until the do-or-die championship game of the North American Women's Baseball League Tournament held at Fraser Field during Labor Day weekend. In that showdown, Hunt went five strong innings for the Lynn-based Saints to stop the Seahawks, also Lynn-based. Emily, who had hurt her pitching arm in spring training and was shelved for months, was rewarded with the Tournament MVP trophy. She also banged out four hits in the tourney.
The new champions, led by Manager Ron Marfione of North Reading and Coach Wayne Kerrins of Lynn, also beat New York and Canada enroute to the NAWBL tourney crown.
Best Tournament Pitcher Award went to Kat Hannah off her 17 strikeout performance in a sensational 1-0 Saints victory over Mississauga of Canada. Kat walked just one and that was intentional. Other valuable Saints in the title game were Amy Stinton and Danielle Greeley, who had two hits each; Megan Sudak who rapped a 2-run single; Kelly Rodman, Cheryl Milligan, Darci Doherty, Coleen Feeley, and Jillian Carroll, 15, all with key hits.
The Seahawks finished 2-1 and were sparked by Robin "Bama" Wallace, Susie Santos, Maryanne Perry, Vicky Hance, Courtney Duggen, Tammy Silveira, Karen LaMarine, Vicky Hance, and Colleen Dolan. Ashley Cook was the winning hurler in a 4-1 triumph over Canada.

The opening game of the successful tournament featured a triple play by the Saints infield, and an inside-the-park home run by Saints' short-stop Milligan, who is also the head softball coach at Tufts University.

Allen Melanson of Lynn, the NAWBL Commissioner, and minority owner with the North Shore Spirit, presented Olympic-style medals to the two finalists, and trophies, including the Best Offensive Player to Darci Doherty (Saints), Coaches Sportsmanship Award to Terri Lynn Herbst (New York) and Best Defensive Player to Ashley Stephenson (Mississauga North).

Thanks to all who made this event a great success!