Lynn Classical softball captain-elect Danielle Moran made her first trip to the Bay State Games a productive one, helping the Northeast team claim the gold medal with a perfect six-game sweep of the annual summertime competition.
Moran excelled as the left fielder and produced key base hits in the fifth batting spot for the Northeast contingent that was coached by Lynn’s Mark Kulakowski, assistant softball coach at Endicott.
Moran has visited Endicott and is being recruited by the Gulls’ softball program.
“He [Kulakowski] did an awesome coaching the team and his Endicott players were on the staff,” said Moran. “Endicott is one of the colleges that I’m really interested in.”
Other colleges that the Northeastern Conference All-Star has on her list are Holy Cross, Southern Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut, Brandeis, Quinnipiac, and Salem State.
Moran enjoyed competing against the top players in the state at the Bay State Games.
“It was a great experience and I wish I knew about the Bay States a long time ago,” she said.
Moran batted .470 and had 32 RBIs this season as Classical won its third consecutive Northeastern Conference title. She hit a fastball off the fence at Rogato Field in the Rams’ tournament game against Lowell. Many observers feel she could keep the conference MVP award in Lynn next year [Teammate Chelsey Bartlett won the award this season].
“Danielle has had a great career,” said Classical softball coach Chris Warren. “She had a superb junior season. She’s been a solid all-around player for us. She’ll be a captain next year. We’re looking for a big senior year for her.”
Moran said she will be playing volleyball and then returning to the Classical girls basketball program this winter, joining a talented cast that includes Monta Connolly, Francesca Galeazzi, Bobbi Dee Regan, and Kristen Lauria. The Rams could make a strong run for the conference title under coach Tom Sawyer.
“I played basketball freshman and sophomore year but took my junior year off to stay up with my academics,” said Moran. “Classical has an excellent program and I’m looking forward to playing basketball for coach Sawyer again. But I know that I must balance my sports and academics.”
Next spring Moran and her softball teammates will look to extend an NEC winning streak that stands at 38 games.