SAUGUS — The Marblehead softball team (2-0) got the job done on Tuesday, beating Saugus (0-1) on the road, 6-1. Despite a pair of wins in as many days, the Magicians are missing a voice in the dugout.

Marblehead’s assistant coach, Todd Norman, passed away unexpectedly on Monday. Norman was a Marblehead native and owner of Norman Landscaping. 

The Magicians had a game the same day of his passing. Head coach Johnny Gold made sure his players decided if they wanted to play or not. 

“We gave them the option and I told them I’ll stand behind you whether you want to play or not,” Gold said. “Our captain Ruby (Calienes) called me and said, ‘We’re playing.’ Now, we’re playing the rest of the year for Coach Norman.”

Marblehead went on to beat Reading, 9-3, Monday before a short turnaround against Saugus, which delivered a signed ball to Marblehead in a show of solidarity.

“We wanted to do something. I’ve known Todd since I came into this league. Johnny and Todd are such great people and I was so sad yesterday when Johnny told me he passed away,” said Saugus coach Steve Almquist. “As a team, we wanted to give something to the family just to let them know that Todd wasn’t just respected in Marblehead – and that we appreciated our interactions with him.” 

When the teams took the field, Marblehead was the first to strike. The Magicians scored two runs in the first inning thanks to an RBI-single from Hailey Schmitt to bring home Isabel Mortensen. Later in the inning, Tessa Andriano recorded a sacrifice hit to bring in the second run. 

“A good start. We got out of the gate fast,” Gold said. 

Saugus answered back in the bottom of the first inning. Devany Millerick’s RBI-double brought Kaitlyn Pugh home from second to make it 2-1. 

“Shortstop Devany Millerick played well. Taylor (Deleidi) pitched phenomenally and she did exactly what we needed her to do,” Almquist said.

That said, Marblehead increased its lead. Andriano led the third inning off with a triple to left field and was brought home by Calienes, and it didn’t stop there. Sophia Halisey brought in a run off a fielder’s choice before Ashley Mortensen perfected a squeeze bunt to give the visitors their fifth run. 

And once the Magicians got the lead, they didn’t look back. Plus, it helps when your starting pitcher allows just three hits and strikes out 11. 

“Tessa Francis pitched a really good game today – as she did yesterday,” Gold said.

Gold also praised his catcher, Luka Bornhorst, for a great game. 

“I always say this, but after every great pitching performance is a great catcher and Luka Bornhorst is a great catcher,” Gold said. “The way she sets up everything, she’s the real deal.” 

Marblehead added a sixth run in the fifth inning when Isabel Mortensen ripped an RBI-triple to score Mortensen. 

“Isabel Mortensen got that big hit – that was a big hit,” Gold said.

Almquist knows his team – after just one game – has areas to work on, but did see some positives to take away. 

“We did some good things and some things we didn’t do too well. Marblehead is a tough team.  We just gave them too many opportunities,” Almquist said. “Our pitchers will pitch strikes. We just need to make plays when they get hits. That could have been, maybe, a 3-1 game if we made some plays.” 

After the game, Gold praised the opposition for its kind gesture before first pitch.

“Saugus is a well-coached team. Steve does an awesome job with them,” Gold said. “They’re such a class act over there. They gave us a signed ball to present to Todd’s family. That stems from their coach.” 

With Marblehead playing for Norman, Gold described his impact on the community. 

“He meant everything to this team. He and I coached for 18 years here, but he meant way more than just a coach,” Gold said. “If anyone ever needed anything in town, he got it done. He owned a landscaping business, so he made sure our fields were always right. He fixed any equipment issues we had.”

“I’ve received texts and calls from past players asking what they can do because coach Norman meant so much to them,” he added. “He meant everything to us. We’ve lost a great coach, great father, great husband, and a great friend.”