Monthly Archives: April 2014

April 11, 2014 · 11:09 am

Mookie Betts, Blake Swihart, and Sean Coyle sighted at Portland Sea Dogs home opener

Peter Hissey and Sean Coyle

Sluggo circles Hadlock Field

(Portland ME) I saw my first home opener for the Portland Sea Dogs on Thursday night.

Cold, windy (normal April weather in these parts) but worth the trip.

I acquired a sense of urgency about getting to a game because of the terrific prospects that are on the Portland roster.

One thing I have learned the hard way is that prospects don’t always stay at AA very long. I missed seeing (photographing) both Matt Barnes and Anthony Ranaudo despite the fact that they were at Portland for quite a while.

Blake Swihart

So when players like Blake Swihart, Mookie Betts, and Sean Coyle are at Portland for the first time I want to get pictures of them while I can.

Blake wasn’t in the starting lineup but there were opening game activities that allowed me to get some shots of him. There were plenty of opportunities to get Mookie and Sean.

Henry Owens never appeared. He pitched on Wednesday night. I do have some shots of him from the Field of Dreams game at the end of last season. Probably a good thing, as Rob Bradford’s WEEI.COM posed this question today, “When will Henry Owens be moved up?”

There were plenty of activities to keep the fans interest during pre-game ceremonies. I had hoped to get a picture of my nephew’s son marching in the pre-game parade but he arrived late. He qualified to walk by completing a reading challenge from the Portland Library.

Mookie Betts in the Sea Dogs dugout

The Sea Dogs (4-3) defeated New Britain, 6-4, in the game although I confess that the adverse conditions had me heading south long before the game ended.

I greatly appreciated having Assistant GM Chris Cameron handle the arrangements for my visit.

Here are some of the things I got pictures of (they all enlarge if you click on them) on opening night:

Sean Coyle

Sean Coyle bats

Sean Coyle

“Play ball!”

Mookie Betts in the field

Mookie Betts keeps warm

Mookie Betts

Matt Spring crosses home with a run

Manager Billy McMillon

DJ Baxendale (New Britain starter)

Deven Marrero

Derrik Gibson

Corey Wimberly of New Britain steals second

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Filed under Portland Sea Dogs

Tagged as Blake Swihart, Deven Marrero, Manager Billy McMillon, Mookie Betts, New Britain Rock Cats, Peter Hissey, Sean Coyle

April 9, 2014 · 9:21 pm

Amesbury experience shows in 5-1 softball win over Georgetown

Zoe Fitzgerald (#21) gets cheers from her teammates after circling the bases in the sixth inning.

Autumn Kligerman sets to fire to first

(Amesbury) Experienced Amesbury opened their 2014 season with a 5-1 victory over Georgetown on a blustery Wednesday afternoon in Cape Ann League softball.

The Indians (1-0) were flawless in the field and capitalized on the inexperience of the Royals (0-1) especially in the outfield.

Minus graduated hitters such as Ashley Valme, Janine Fatal, Erin Leary, and Cassie Schultz, Amesbury couldn’t separate from the determined Royals. This was a 3-1 game going into the bottom of the sixth inning.

In the decisive sixth, sophomore Zoe Fitzgerald hit a hard shot into right center that split freshmen outfielders Samantha Newbury and Dana Edwards on the ground. By the time the two outfielders could retrieve the ball, and get it back into the infield, Zoe had reached home (with Amesbury’s 4th run) without a slide despite slowing up at third base.

The Indians added more insurance in the same frame. Lauren Fedorchak singled to deep short and took second on a wild throw by SS Maddy Crateau. Lauren then scored Run #5 on freshman Maddie Napoli’s blooper into right field.

The throw from first goes past Alexi Boswell and shortstop Kylie Hayward

Senior Alexi Boswell worked some base running magic to produce a run in the first inning. After Alexi reached on a single, Lucy Scholz put down a bunt that activated the Georgetown infield. Third baseman Hannah Jannell fielded the bunt and made an accurate throw to second baseman Maddy Crateau covering first to get Lucy. However that defensive arrangement left shortstop Kylie Hayward covering both second and third. So Alexi ran right past second toward uncovered third. Maddy Crateau threw the ball past shortstop Kylie Hayward who was racing Alexi to third and Alexi came home with Amesbury’s first run.

More of that inexperience/experience thing kicked in for a second first inning run. Senior Amanda Schell singled to right but the ball got past rightfielder Dana Edwards and Amanda ended up at third. Senior Rachel Cyr singled to center scoring Amanda with Amesbury’s second score.

pitcher Danielle Quercia

When Autumn Kligerman hit a fly ball to center that centerfielder Samantha Newbury couldn’t find in the sun, you sensed that a very bad inning was underway for the Royals. But credit Georgetown starter Danielle Quercia. She got Zoe Fitzgerald to strike out and Sammy Stone to line to first ending the inning without any more runs allowed.

Amesbury would build their lead to 3-0 in the second inning. Lauren Fedorchak singled to center and Maddie Napoli sacrifice bunted her to second. Lucy Scholz delivered Lauren with a two-out single to center.

Georgetown had five hits, a walk, and five stranded runners to show for five innings of play. In the sixth the Royals used aggressive base running to get on the scoreboard. Maddy Crateau and Jen Nutter set the stage with infield hits after one out. When catcher Amanda Schell tried to pick Jen off of first (it was verrry close!) Maddie reached third. And then when Jen stole second on another very close play Maddy raced home.

pitcher Rachel Cyr

The key to that inning for Georgetown was being aggressive. The key for Amesbury was Rachel Cyr. How? The senior pitcher struck out three Royals looking to keep other Royals off the bases and limit the damage to one run.

Former CAL All-League shortstop Amanda Schell made her debut at catcher for the Indians. Amanda replaces Cassie Schultz who is now playing at Assumption.

Rightfielder Alexi Boswell showed her arm in the seventh inning. When sophomore Maggie Noelk hit a liner to right, Alexi picked up the ball on the hop and threw Maggie out at first.

Amesbury starter Rachel Cyr allowed seven hits, one walk and struck out four. She also successfully handled three chances. Rachel, who replaces Carolina Merrill, will do most of the pitching for the Indians.

Georgetown starter Danielle Quercia gave up eleven hits but only five runs despite four errors behind her. Danielle ends a run of eight years of the Erlandson sisters pitching.

Amesbury was 19-3 last season while Georgetown was 14-6. Both teams are now in Division 3.

Jen Nutter

Jen Nutter led Georgetown with two hits.

Amanda Schell, Autumn Kligerman, and Lauren Fedorchak each had two hits for Amesbury.

Tough second inning for Georgetown. Jen Nutter singled and reached second on a wild pitch with no outs. However, Emily Fraser lined to Autumn Kligerman at 3B and the Amesbury junior doubled Jen off of second. As bad luck (for Georgetown) would have it, next batter Hannah Jannell singled to center. Could have been a run??

Amesbury junior Meagan Aponas had a pinch-hit single in the 6th but got caught in a rundown.

The game was originally scheduled for Georgetown but field conditions there weren’t good.

The temperatures were in the 50’s but the gusty winds made that number meaningless when it came to deciding what to wear. Dress for winter until further notice!

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

third baseman Hannah Jannell

Maddie Napoli readies the tag for Jen Nutter

Zoe Fitzgerald

catcher Amanda Schell

shortstop Maddie Napoli

Maddy Crateau

Gianna Faragi tags out Meagan Aponas in the sixth inning

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Georgetown

Tagged as Amanda Schell, Danielle Quercia, Jen Nutter, Lucy Scholz, Maddy Crateau, Rachel Cyr, Zoe Fitzgerald

April 7, 2014 · 10:42 pm

North Reading and Newburyport play to an unfinished 2-2 tie in baseball opener

Chase Carpenter dives into third as the ball drops in front of North Reading third baseman Tom Day

Chance Carpenter dives into third as the ball drops in front of North Reading third baseman Tom Day

Frank Carey, Steve Malenfant, and the umpires meet after the ninth inning

(Newburyport) Newburyport and North Reading opened their 2014 baseball seasons today……….sort of.

The Clippers and the Hornets played nine innings with a winner undecided. They will resume the 2-2 game at a later date.

This was a Cape Ann League contest with plenty of baserunners and plenty of scoring opportunities. The biggest lack was a big hit and therefore special credit goes to the pitching. James Nutter (Clippers) went seven innings and Scott Allan (Hornets) went eight. Mike Jayne finished for the Clipppers and Ryan Boucher for the Hornets.

Newburyport collected two runs in the first and were blanked the rest of the way. North Reading put up single runs in the 4th and 6th.

Keith Linnane scores the first NR run

The visiting Hornets collected ten hits (two each for Scott Meija, Ryan Boucher, and Scott Allan) and stranded at least one runner in every inning.

The Clippers had nine hits (two each for Chance Carpenter and Caleb Stott) and stranded seven.

Newburyport picked up their only runs in the first inning. Chance Carpenter had a bunt single and Caleb Stott followed with a hit to right center. Both runners advanced on a wild pickoff attempt at second by pitcher Scott Allan. Ryan Furlong flared a two-out double to left scoring both teammates.

North Reading got a run back in the 4th inning. Keith Linnane singled to center, took second (no throw), and reached third on a wild pitch. Ryan Boucher doubled the Hornets catcher home.

Ryan Furlong drove in both Newburyport runs

The Hornets got a gift run in the sixth inning. Ryan Sanborn was hit by a pitch and then stole second with two outs. Scott Allan singled to right but a quick relay back to Travis Wile put Ryan Sanborn in big trouble. Ryan had rounded third with the original intent of going home. Halfway down the line he chose to head back to third. However, Travis’s throw sailed over third baseman Caleb Stott’s head allowing Ryan to recover and tally the tying run.

Two terrific defensive plays saved North Reading. In the Clippers’ fourth they got runners (Ben Ventura and Ryan Furlong) on second and third with no outs. NR had the infield in when Travis Wile lined a rope up the middle. Second baseman Shane Driscoll made a diving catch and then tossed to shortstop Blake Tamlyn-Hayden for the double play.

Newburyport threatened in the sixth inning. A Caleb Stott double and an error (first baseman Ryan Sanborn) put runners on first and third with two outs. Pitcher Scott Allan launched a pitch (to Travis Wile) wide and in the dirt that catcher Keith Linnane somehow stopped preventing a run.

Travis OBrien about to be tagged out at 3B by Tom Day in the 9th inning

The Clippers had two-out singles in the 9th by Travis O’Brien and Tom Isabel but Hornets’ centerfielder Colby Maiola (going to Assumption) nailed Travis trying to get to third on his teammate’s hit ending the inning.

Leftfielder Leighton Paradis made several running catches on flies hit by Colby Maiola.

The last time North Reading and Newburyport met was on June 4th at North Reading when the Clippers upset the Hornets (4-0) in the first round of the Division 3 North playoffs. Colby Morris handcuffed NR that afternoon. North Reading had beaten Newburyport twice during the regular season.

Shane Driscoll flips from the ground to double up sliding Ryan Furlong

NR coach Frank Carey is in his 47th season with a lifetime record currently at 716-273.

Colby Maiola and Ben Ventura

Tom Day, Shane Driscoll, Colby Maiola, and Keith Linnane had one hit each for North Reading.

Catcher Keith Linnane is looking into junior colleges in the South to continue his baseball career next season.

Scott Webster, Ben Ventura, Ryan Furlong, Travis O’Brien, and Tom Isabel each had a hit for Newburyport.

The Clippers turned in a smooth 4-6-3 double play in the eighth inning.

Cloudy and colder as the game went on. Welcome to April baseball in these parts.

(The pictures above an below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Scott Webster tries to steal second as Blake Tamlyn-Hayden waits for the throw

Scott Meija caught in a rundown with Caleb Stott

Grounder gets by NR first baseman Ryan Sanborn

Mike Jayne

Ryan Boucher

Scott Allan

Keith Linnane

James Nutter

Caleb Stott crosses home with the second NHS run

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Filed under Cape Ann League, Newburyport, North Reading

Tagged as Caleb Stott, Coach Frank Carey, Colby Maiola, James Nutter, Keith Linnane, Ryan Boucher, Ryan Furlong, Shane Driscoll

April 5, 2014 · 10:41 am

Win and tie in Amesbury/Ipswich outdoor boys/girls track meet

Michaela Hedderman wins the 100. The IHS sophomore also won the 200.

(Ipswich) How often are their ties in outdoor track meets? I suspect that the odds are high but that was how the girls’ part of the Amesbury/Ipswich event ended – 72 1/2 points each on Friday afternoon.

The Ipswich boys won, 80-62.

Weather conditions? Brutal. Constant wind with temps generously estimated in the low 40’s. Plenty of shivering participants on hand. Veteran spectators were dressed for snow.

Below is a collection of pictures from the event which will enlarge if you click on them:

Isabel Prussman high jumps

Devin Smith high jumps

Michael Riddles wins one mile and two mile races

Michaela Hedderman long jumps

Amanda Martin tries to keep warm

Isabel Prussman readies for the long jump

Nora McMorrow wins the pole vault competition

Pat Halloran captures 400 hurdles

Hailee Gibadlo cruises in 2 mile

James Stone gets 400

Amanda Martin is winner in 400

Ryan White was high jump winner

Julia Shorter gets first in mile run

Alex Jean-Charles takes 100

Amesbury pole vaulter

Matt Jaeger (he won triple jump) in the long jump

Jill Calvani takes 400 hurdles

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Filed under Amesbury, Ipswich

Tagged as Alex Jean-Charles, Amanda Martin, Devin Smith, Hailee Gibadlo, Isabel Prussman, Jill Calvani, Julia Shorter, Matt Jaeger, Michael Riddle, Michaela Hedderman, Pat Halloran, Ryan White

April 2, 2014 · 9:49 pm

Governor’s Academy runs winning streak to eighteen defeating Pingree 12-0

All smiles around Courtney Cashman after her grand slam in the fifth inning.

Sarah Dupere (two-hitter with seven strikeouts)

(Hamilton) That’s eighteen straight for the Lady Govs softball team.

Governor’s Academy defeated Pingree, 12-0, in a nonleague game held on Pingree’s dry field on Wednesday afternoon in the season opener for both teams.

Tough opponent for the Highlanders as they had to face senior pitcher Sarah Dupere (twice MVP in the Independent School League). Sarah struck out seven and allowed only two flare hits.

Sarah might have had more K’s, and I suppose Pingree might have had more hits, if the game wasn’t suddenly ended after 5 1/2 innings. The Pingree scoreboard had the teams in the 7th inning when it should have been the 6th inning. Whatever, the unscheduled ending kept both coaches from using more reserves which was unfortunate.

The Govs not only got good pitching but their hitting wasn’t too shabby either. They certainly didn’t drive over from Byfield to take walks. They only had two. The Lady Govs had twelve hits off of Pingree starter Christina Chalmers.

The biggest hit for GA was a grand slam by sophomore Courtney Cashman in GA’s six-run fifth inning. Courtney’s blast cleared the fence in left center. Courtney hit another ball just as hard in the first inning but it was straight at Pingree centerfielder Maria Garbarino.

Christina Chalmers

Sarah Dupere not only did damage with her arm but also with her bat. The GA leadoff batter (going to Gettysburg College) had three hits (two singles and a double) and scored three runs. Sarah’s only out was on a hard grounder that pitcher Christina Chalmers made a nice play on after it caromed off her leg.

Pingree (11-6 last year) had their best chance in the second inning. Kelsey Dion walked and Hannah Stasiuk flared a single down the rightfield line. Both runners moved into scoring position before Sarah Dupere got a groundout by Maria Garbarino to end the threat.

The Govs picked up three in the first inning. Senior Ashlyn Bedard (2 hits/2 runs/2 RBI) beat out a hit to shortstop driving in Sarah Dupere. Later in the same inning, junior Devyn McHugh singled to center bringing in teammates Ashlyn Bedard and Carli Citrano.

The three-time defending ISL champs put up another 3-spot in the second inning. Cassie Hanlon’s double scored Sarah Dupere. Courtney Cashman brought Cassie home and then Ashlyn Bedard (going to WPI) did the same for Courtney with a single.

Cassie Hanlon (2 rbi, 2 hits, 2 runs)

Governor’s double their score in the fifth inning. The big shot was Courtney Cashman’s grand slam but Cassie Hanlon and Carli Citrano also had RBIs.

Jill Witwicki had Pingree’s other hit.

The Highlanders had two flare hits down the first baseline but otherwise did not get the ball into the outfield. That’s dominating pitching!

The next game (weather permitting) for Pingree is on Saturday (1PM) at Buckingham Browne & Nichols in Cambridge.

The Govs will be at St. George’s (Newport RI) on Saturday (1:30PM) looking to extend that winning streak. Last loss was on May 19th of 2012 against Phillips Exeter.

Pingree senior third baseman Gabby Munoz has a softball scholarship to Holy Cross. I saw her play for a very good Rockport team in the Cape Ann League.