MHS Softball Coach Johnny Gold secures win No. 250 in regular season finale
The girls softball team (12-8) completed the regular season last week with two home wins – Winthrop (12-0, May 18) and Newburyport (9-0, May 21) – sandwiched around a close 2-1 loss to host Danvers on May 20. These Magicians are the 15th seed in the final Division 2 power rankings, and will begin the postseason at home on Friday, May 29, against Agawam, the 18th seed, in a Round of 32 game, starting at 4 p.m.
It took Coach Johnny Gold’s squad only five innings to dispatch the Vikings in this mercy rule game.
All-star pitcher Tessa Francis threw her second no-hitter of the year that included eight strikeouts to help propel her teammates to victory.
Ashley Mortensen was the leader on offense with three hits. Lucy Rogers drove home two with a single. Kate Andriano knocked in a run on two hits. Tessa Andriano chipped in with a hit and an RBI. Grace Dow and Avery Sheridan also contributed with big hits, according to Gold.
After the close loss to the Falcons, the Magicians bounced back to shut down the Clippers. It was also Gold’s 250th win along the Marblehead varsity sidelines, and he accomplished the feat on Senior Day.
Francis gave up just one hit, while striking out 10 to do her part once again to secure the victory. She also went a perfect two-for-two at the plate. Ashley Mortensen was credited with three hits in as many at-bats to lead the way on offense. As a team, they accounted for 11 total hits.
Marblehead laxmen begin postseason against host Westborough on Friday, May 29
The Marblehead High boys lacrosse team (13-5), the Northeastern Conference champs, wrapped up the regular season with two losses – Winthrop (13-8, May 20, on the road) and Wakefield (6-5, May 21, at Piper) – after beating host Melrose, 7-6 on May 18. Prior to those three games, these Magicians were on a roll, winners of five straight that included victories over host Peabody (13-3, May 11) and visiting Masco (16-7, May 13). They are seeded 20th in the final Division 2 power rankings, and will open up the postseason against host Westborough, the 13th seed, in a Round of 32 matchup on Friday, May 29, starting at 5 p.m.
Against the Tanners, Coach John Wilkens’ team controlled the action from beginning to end. They also led at halftime, 7-2.
Tyler Forbes (2 goals, 3 assists) and Owen Dulac (2 goals, 3 assists) and Kyle Thibodeau (2 goals, 2 assists) were the leading offensive contributors. Will Kinahan, Landon Dosch, Reid Wysor and Henry Wolcott chipped in with one goal and one assist apiece. Bailey Finkle, Dylan Kinahan and Grady Becker each scored once. Goalie Colin Maniaci only had to make two stops to record another win.
The game against the Chieftains was an entirely different story. The home team was trailing at the half, 9-3. But despite that deficit, Wilkens thought that this game was one of his team’s best efforts this year.
“I thought we played well in this game,” the veteran coach said.
Forbes was the top point getter with four goals and six assists. Kyle Thibodeau was next in line with four and one. Will Kinahan (2 goals, 1 assist), Dosch (2 goals), Finkel (2 goals), Wysor (1 goal) and Becker (1 goal) accounted for the rest of the markers. Dulac was the assist leader with three. Maniaci did his part in net with eight saves to help ignite the second half comeback.
