St. Mary’s Softball Team Wins Holland; Begins Tourney Run

The St. Mary’s High School softball team looks ready to make another run at a state championship.

The Spartans won the John Holland Memorial Tournament and then raced past Winthrop, 12-2, in their opening game in the State Tournament Sunday.

A Lynn native, St. Mary’s coach Colleen Newbury understands the significance of the Holland Tournament to softball players and fans.

“It was good to get the bragging rights for another year,” said Newbury, whose team bested Classical (8-7) and Swampscott (9-2) in the Holland Tournament that is played every year on Memorial Day weekend. “Classical is a very good team and it was a back-and forth game and I’m glad we hung in it and won it in the end.”

Alex Fisher and Brooke L’Abbe had key hits in the seventh inning to rally St. Mary’s past Classical in a barnburner. The next day seventh grade pitcher Mia Nowicki tossed five no-hit innings to lead St. Mary’s to a win over Swampscott in the Holland championship game.

Nowicki received the Ginny Dandreo Most Outstanding Pitcher Award for the tournament.

“She pitched phenomenally against Swampscott,” said Newbury. “She no-hit them for five innings and defensively we played really well.”

Alexandra Fisher, Brooke L’Abbe, Alison Butler, and Victoria Viger were named to the All-Tournament Team. Senior catcher Genevieve Benoit was the recipient of the Holland Memorial Scholarship.

The Spartans improved to 15-6 with their win over Winthrop and its ace pitcher Alex Ferri.

L’Abbe pitched five strong innings to earn the win over the Vikings. “Brooke is the heart and soul of our team,” said Newbury.

Transfer Kaleigh Finigan has been a force at the plate for St. Mary’s while Benoit has been a solid catcher throughout the season.

“Genevieve is probably the hero of the team behind home plate, because to start the season we didn’t have a catcher,” said Newbury.

St. Mary’s is seeking its third state title in four years. As an All-Scholastic shortstop at Bishop Fenwick, Newbury starred on four consecutive state championship teams. She went on to earn All-American softball honors at Salem State.

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