Baseball Magicians record two wins to get over .500
There was no time off for the Marblehead High baseball team (5-4 overall, 4-2 in the Northeastern Conference) during spring school vacation week, and it paid off for them quite nicely. They ended up winning a couple of high scoring games against Danvers (10-9, April 22) and Masco (11-9, April 24) to go over the .500 mark as the halfway point of the season approaches for the Seaside Park crew.
The game against the Chieftains opened up the annual Spartan Tournament at Lynn’s Fraser Field, and as a result of the close win the Magicians were in the championship game last Saturday (April 25) against St. Mary’s of Lynn, who defeated its opening day opponent Pope Francis.
In that first game against Masco, the Magicians jumped out early and often, scoring three in the first, four in the second and three more in the third. They scored the much-needed insurance run in the seventh after Masco, the home team, battled back from an 11-2 deficit.
Junior Will Macrina (4 hits, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts), making his varsity debut, went the first four innings on the mound, giving up just two runs in the first inning, both of them earned. Junior Cam Carneval (2.2 innings, 5 hits, 7 runs, 5 earned, two walks), also playing in his first varsity game, pitched two solid innings, before tiring in the seventh. Sophomore southpaw Yanzel Fuentes recorded the final out to earn the all-important save.
The Marblehead boys sprayed 11 hits around the field, with Leventhal getting four of them to pace the attack. He collected three singles and a double that resulted in three RBI and two runs scored. Owen Coyne was credited with two singles and one RBI, while scoring twice.
The Marblehead boys were now in the championship game against aforementioned St. Mary’s of Lynn, but by game’s end the host Spartans took home the title in a hard-fought game, 11-7.
The Magicians actually enjoyed a 6-1 lead at one point, and were still ahead by one in the sixth inning, 7-6. Tim Wales helped power the attack with a two-run homer. Unfortunately, errors that have plagued them throughout April continued to haunt them in this game. Officially, they had seven errors, but, according to Coach Mike Giardi, there were several other misplays that cost them the lead. For the record, St. Mary’s scored eight unearned runs, including the last five that gave them the win.
Madden Lyons (2 innings, five hits, five runs, three earned, three walks, 2 strikeouts) started the game on the mound, while Fuentes (3.1-innings, 3 hits, 6 runs, none earned, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts) and Sawyer Adams (0.2-inning, 1 hit) finished up.
The offense was credited with nine hits. Coyne paced the attack with three singles, while Wales’ homerun was the lone extra base hit in this game.
The game against the Falcons took 12 innings to decide a winner, and the visiting Magicians were able to come out on top.
“It was a crazy, long (game) that went back and forth,” said Giardi. “Every time we took the lead, Danvers managed to tie it up. Both teams threw runners out at the plate, including the final out of the game in the home half of the 12th inning.”
It was the appropriate way to end it, considering the nature of the entire game. But through it all, the baseball Magicians still struggled in the field, committing seven errors, once again.
Lyons (2 innings, 1 hit, 1 run, 1 earned, 2 walks) recorded the win in relief, but Collin Allen (8 hits, 5 runs, 1 earned, 3 walks, 6 strikeouts) actually carried the Magicians for six innings to help keep them close on the scoreboard. Coyne started the game on the hill, going one inning, before Adams tossed the next three.
The Marblehead offense banged out 17 hits. Wales led the way with three singles and two walks, knocking in one run, while scoring once. James Machado also had three singles, and scored a run. Ethan Harwood collected a single and a double with two RBI. Greyson Leventhal had two singles and one walk, and scored one run. Coyne chipped in with a single and a double that produced one RBI. E.J. Wyman reached base three times with two singles and a walk. He also scored a run.
Softball team looks to get back on track after three close losses
The MHS softball team still has a winning record at 6-4, but after beating Saugus on April 20, 11-2, they dropped three close games in a row to Danvers (1-0, April 22), Masco (2-0, April 24) and Bishop Fenwick (11-7, April 25).
Pitcher Tessa Francis gave up three hits, while striking out 12 against the Sachems. She also factored into the offense with two singles and a triple and two RBI. Her batterymate Isabel Mortensen also had three hits and two RBI. Third baseman Tessa Andriano was credited with two hits and two RBI. Right-fielder Lucy Rogers chipped in with two hits. Grace Dow, Delia Heit – her first varsity hit – Hailey Schmitt and Ashley Mortensen accounted for one single apiece.
Girls lacrosse splits last two games
The girls lacrosse team (3-5, 2-4 in the Northeastern Conference) split their two most recent games, defeating Saugus, 14-3 on April 20, before losing to Masco the next day, 13-10.
Addie Co-Peeps (3 goals, 1 assist), Emma Ryan (2 goals, 1 assist, 1 draw control), Ella McConnell (1 goal, 1 groundball), Zoe Dwyer (3 goals, 1 assist, 2 draw controls, 1 groundball, 1 caused turnover), Maggie Svencer (2 goals), Sammy Walker (6 draw controls), Avery Wysor (1 goal, 1 draw control), Laurel Kearney (1 goal) and June Crawford (1 goal) were the offensive leaders against Saugus. Goalie Molly Bullard made six saves.
“We continue to build and adjust with each game,” said coach Annie Madden. “It was a solid win, but it’s time to get back to practice to keep on improving.”
Against Masco, Co-Peeps (2 goals, 1 assist), Ryan (2 goals), McConnell (2 assists), Dwyer (3 goals, 3 assists), Svencer (7 draw controls), Walker (2 goals, 6 draw controls) and Wysor (1 goal) were the team’s statistical leaders. Bullard came up with 14 saves to keep things close on the scoreboard.
“This was a tough loss, but we are still holding strong,” said Madden. “We played well across the board, and I’m proud of how much we have grown (since the beginning of the season). But unfortunately, we came up short. I’m now looking forward to regrouping and getting ready for Salem on (April 28).”
Girls tennis wins two in a row
The girls tennis team (2-3) won its second straight match after dominating Peabody, 4-1 on April 22.
Samara Dosch defeated Alexandra Kourtelidh in first singles, 6-3, 6-1, but Sophie Li lost to Tiffany Bettencourt in a very competitive second singles match, 6-3, 5-7 (7-10). Lilly O’Keefe got the point right back with a 6-1, 6-0 third singles win over Yasmelly Fernandez.
The first doubles team of Joy Meshulam and Emily Levine took care of Anna Mariel and Artemis Greko, 6-3, 6-0. Harper Mooney and Annie Tucker teamed up in second doubles to beat Shivann Galvin and Lilly Hunt, 6-0.6-2.
“This was a solid win for us,” said Coach Tracy Ackerman. “Peabody is well-coached, and is a much-improved team. But Lilly O’Keefe at third singles was super consistent, and played her best match yet, so I was really proud of her. Emily Levine made her varsity debut, and was able to pull off a nice win in first doubles, which was anchored by (captain) Joy Meshulam.”
