The rain clouds parted, the sun shined and the good people at the Methuen Girls Softball League did a miraculous job of getting the fields into terrific playing condition enabling the Northern Mass Mayhem to storm into the tournament season taking 2nd place in the Start of Summer Tournament at the Burnham Road Complex.
The rain-shortened tournament started out well Friday night as the Mayhem bombed the Salem Sidewinders 25-5. Carissa mowed down the Salem batters while Andrea couldn't be kept off the bases with five hits. The rain prevented play on Saturday and it didn't look like the fields could possibly be ready Sunday morning, but the MGSL crew worked all day Saturday in the rain and on Sunday morning to give the girls the best playing conditions ever seen at Burnham Fields. The Mayhem started the day by beating the Methuen Majesty 11-3 with Stephanie leading the way in the circle. Game 2 saw the Mayhem beat Swampscott 9-3, with Carissa and Talan leading the way in the circle.
The championship game against North Reading was a battle of wills and stamina that saw the Mayhem lose the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, never to gain it back. Talan started the game and swatted the Hornets around for the first three innings, while the Mayhem batters got to the North Reading pitcher taking an 8-2 lead after four innings. Andrea continued her stellar day at the plate with good things happening when she was in the batters box. From key hits and RBI's to wild pitches that led to runs, Andrea at the plate was a good thing all day.
The bottom of the fourth saw things unravel for the Mayhem with some big hits by the Hornets and some ill-timed errors by the Mayhem fielders. The Hornets hurler came back strong after North Reading tied the game and didn't allow another Mayhem run. Despite being shorthanded due to injuries and a prior committment, a great effort was put forth by a gritty Mayhem team, finally running out of gas in a hard fought finale. Both Coach Joe and Coach Scott agree that they are "looking forward to another opportunity to play a very good North Reading squad with their complete cast of characters." Final score: 16-8, Hornets.
The Mayhem girls showed that they win and lose as a team. From the terrific pitching of Carissa, Talan and Stephanie to the big bats of Andrea and Paige. Key base hits were also supplied by Laura, Mikaela, Jessica and Alex, who also did a fantastic job behind the plate. Drue and Marissa provided key defensive plays throughout the day. The Mayhem also were inspired by the presence of injured first baseman Casey Fitzgerald.
The 3-1 weekend and the 2nd place finish was a terrific way to start the tournament season and the Mayhem go into the Lowell tournament riding high.
Welcome to the
2006 Northern Mass. Mayhem
We are a 14U "ASA" Fastpitch Team that will play 50 plus games this season.
The "MAYHEM" will participate in 7-8 Local & Regional Tournaments, 10-plus
"ASA" non tournament games, and 14 Middle-Essex "14A" games. Our team is
made up of a young, talented group of girls that are dedicated, hard
working and most of all have fun playing at a high level.
If you would like more information regarding the Northern Mass. Mayhem,
please contact:
April 22 game photos
The U-14 Northern Mass Mayhem had a successful 2005 season with an overall winning percentage of almost .500, which is quite an accomplishment given the number of girls still eligible to play U-12. Despite the loss of several key older players moving up an age bracket, the 2006 edition of the Mayhem are poised to have a breakout season. Although still a young team, the addition of several talented 13 year olds has the coaching staff excited about the prospects of the 2006 season, which begins with the start of the indoor season at Strike One in Danvers, MA on Saturday, November 5th.
Please check the website often for updates on the progress of the Mayhem, including scores from the indoor season, Middle Essex League and tournaments.
NEWS ARCHIVE
The Mayhem started the Middle Essex League with a 4-0 record before losing to Pentucket on July 13th. The Blue Freeze, Blue Crush, Newburyport and the Fireballs all fell victim to the Mayhems vicious attack. In tournament play, the Mayhem have not re-gained the magic they produced in the MGSL Tournament, but did play very competitive and exciting ball n the Invitational by the Bay Tournament in Bristol, RI. After dropping a close one to the Reading Rebels, then losing to the Latham Blizzard, the girls came back in dramatic fashion against the Hopkington Havoc scoring six runs in the home half of the last inning to take the victory 7-6, proving that "Mayhem" is more powerful the "Havoc"! See pictures from the tournament on the photos page. In the first playoff game of the tournament the girls lost a close one 12-10 against Westford in a game that saw lead changes almost every inning.