Category Archives: Newburyport

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

February 15, 2014 · 1:26 am

Pentucket stuns Newburyport in OT 52-44

Kelsi McNamara (27 points) launches a three. She made five in the game.

McKenna Kilian (15 points) starts her drive for the tying basket in regulation

(Newburyport MA) Pentucket tied the score with eight seconds left in regulation (McKenna Kilian layup) and then dominated overtime as they defeated Newburyport, 52-44, on Friday night in Cape Ann League action.

For the Clippers (12-7), the loss to Pentucket (16-4) was way too similar to their loss on Monday to undefeated Masco. They held the lead in both games in the second half only to come away frustrated when each game was over.

Kelsi McNamara (27 points) had only ten points through three quarters. After that? Wow! The junior guard put up ten points in the 4th quarter and seven points in the four-minute overtime.

Fifteen of Kelsi’s points came on three’s. Biggest one? Her last one in the fourth quarter. An Emily Pettigrew free throw had Newburyport up by three (38-35) with 1:06 left. Kelsi followed by dribbling almost every second off the thirty-second clock before finding a long-range opening. Her shot went in, tying the score, as the shot-clock buzzer sounded.

Kelsi hit her 4th long one 1+ minutes into overtime and Pentucket went up by four (44-40). The lead was still four (46-42) when Kelsi drilled the back breaker with 1:49 left. The 5th of her 3’s hit rim, backboard, and then rim again before sliding in. Now down, 49-42, the struggling Newburyport offense had no quick answers and dropped a tough one.

There was plenty of excitement down the stretch in regulation. After Kelsi tied the score (38-38) with thirty-six seconds left, Aly Leahy (10 points) sank two pressure free throws to put the Clippers on top (40-38) with twenty-one seconds to go.

I was sure that Pentucket, after their timeout, would try to get Kelsi a 3-point attempt or have her drive and draw a foul. Didn’t happen. Instead, Kelsi took the ball out-of-bounds and found teammate McKenna Kilian (15 points) cutting across from the weakside. I then expected Kelsi to jump in-bounds, get a pass back and shoot or get fouled. Didn’t work that way. Kelsi came in-bounds and attracted a double-team but, instead of passing to Kelsi, McKenna drove past defender Aly Leahy to the basket to tie the score with eight seconds left.

Boo Torrisi defends Aly Leahy in the closing seconds of regulation

Still plenty of time for the Clippers. Aly Leahy set off on a full-court drive down the right side with Boo Torrisi on her shoulder. With time just about gone Aly rushed a 10-footer that missed. Abbie Bresnahan grabbed the rebound but there wasn’t time for her to score the game-winner.

Pentucket has now won four straight and fifteen of their last sixteen. Their next game is against Belmont in the St. Mary’s (Lynn) tournament.

Newburyport has lost three of four in February. They face Saugus away on Tuesday. Cape Ann Scores lists the game at 5AM!

Newburyport honored its five seniors: Aly Leahy, Amy Sullivan, Jaycie Triandafilou, Lilly Donovan, and Mary Pettigrew.

The Clippers lost the previous meeting with the Sachems, 45-43, on January 6th at Pentucket. In that one the Clippers had a ten-point lead in the third quarter.

Pentucket came out at least a minute late in the second half.

Kelsi McNamara made ten free throws

Pentucket had only four turnovers total in the second half and overtime. Maybe putting the ball into Kelsi McNamara’s hands on every possession had something to do with it.

Newburyport had twenty-three turnovers in the game. Almost all of them were in the frontcourt.

Former players Sam Leahy and Coley Viselli were on hand for this one.

The interior defense of Pentucket did a terrific job limiting high-scoring Emily Pettigrew to five points. Emily likes to catch-and-spin but every time a pass came in to her the Sachems slid someone over to eliminate the “spin” part.

Seemed to me like there was an awful lot of whining from all parts of the gym during this game. Where was the Valentine’s Day spirit?

Pentucket box

Newburyport box

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

Jaycie Triandafilou

Amy Sullivan

Mary Pettigrew

Aly Leahy

Lilly Donovan

Morgan Johnston and McKenna Kilian

Emily Pettigrew finds little room to operate

Lilly Donovan shoots in the lane

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Filed under Newburyport, Pentucket

Tagged as Aly Leahy, Kelsi McNamara, McKenna Kilian

January 20, 2014 · 10:58 pm

Last-minute rally gets Whittier past Newburyport 57-51

Lilly Donovan guards Andrea Terranova (16 points)

Emily Pettigrew (21 points) shoots over 6-3 Samnell Vonleh

(Newburyport MA) The Whittier Tech girls had ten-point runs in both halves and defeated Newburyport, 57-51, on Monday afternoon in non-league action.

The second ten-point streak happened in the final minute and enabled WT to overcome a four-point deficit and pull out a victory.

The Wildcats (7-2) had only two three’s in the first three quarters but connected on two straight (Andrea Terranova & Michaela Martin) in the last minute to jump ahead, 53-51, with thirty-two seconds left.

Andrea (16 points) and Michaela (16 points) closed things out with four consecutive free throws.

At the same time everything was going right for the visitors from Haverhill, the home-team Clippers (9-3) will do best to forget what happened when they had the ball in the last minute.

After Whittier’s first three, the Clippers still had a one-point lead (51-50). However, Aly Leahy missed the front end of a one-and-one in the possession before WT’s second three gave them the lead with 32 seconds left.

Down by only two (53-51), again with plenty of time to score, the Clippers turned the ball over in the backcourt and fouled the stealer (Andrea Terranova). Andrea made both free throws.

Samnell Vonleh ready to block Abbie Bresnahan in the last minute

Now down four (55-51), Abbie Bresnahan had a shot blocked out-of-bounds by 6-3 Samnell Vonleh. Still time left, Emily Pettigrew traveled. The Clippers were forced to foul and Michaela Martin finished things with two free throws.

The loss diminished the glow of a terrific performance by Newburyport’s Emily Pettigrew. The 6-foot sophomore tallied twenty-one points and seemed unfazed by WT’s size and physical play.

The Clippers built up a ten-point lead (21-11) 1 1/2 minutes into the second quarter. Some of that success for Newburyport was the way Mary Pettigrew kept the Wildcats Michaela Martin in check.

Trailing by ten, Whittier put their first ten-point run together. Two free throws by Andrea Terranova helped but the real damage was done by junior Kayla Riley notching two layups, a free throw, and a three to tie the score at 21-21 three minutes before the half.

Newburyport had five turnovers and missed the front end of a one-and-one during this segment.

Aly Leahy (13 points) tries to steal from Dominque Ortiz as NHS coach Gregg Dollas watches

It was the Clippers’ turn to put points together in the third quarter after trailing, 31-27. A nine-point streak featured an old-fashioned three by Abbie Bresnahan (9 points) and a normal three by Aly Leahy (13 points). This collection of points put Newburyport ahead, 36-31, with a minute left in the third quarter.

The Clippers were able to hold onto the lead until the final minute of the game.

Both teams pressed and pressured wherever the ball was. Neither team was very successful, as a result, in getting clean looks. The usual result was a shot in traffic or a turnover.

rebound action

The two teams combined for an unspectacular FIFTY turnovers. Newburyport had 27 and Whittier 23, by my unofficial count.

Both teams missed seven free throws. WT, however, connected twenty-three times including seven-of-eight in the final minute. The Clippers hit nine free throws.

I was impressed by the speed and spark of sophomore Abbie Bresnahan.

Whittier has now won four straight. They were 22-2 last season, losing in the Division 4 North final. It is not hard to imagine the Wildcats doing well in the state tournament again this year.

The Clippers will have to wait another day to qualify for the state tournament. They need one more win to get there. They are scheduled to face Amesbury on Friday night (7PM) in their next game.

Whittier is scheduled to host non-league Gloucester on Wednesday (5:30PM).

Michaela Martin (16 points)

Michaela Martin was a Lawrence Eagle Tribune All-Star last season.

Juniors Kayla Riley, Andrea Terranova, and Samnell Vonleh were Commonwealth Athletic Conference All-Stars in 2012-13.

WT has no seniors on their roster.

Whittier box

Newburyport box

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

Kayla Riley (13 points) sees an opening

Abbie Bresnahan drives on Andrea Terranova

Plenty of defenders around Emily Pettigrew

Aly Leahy lines up a free throw

Aly Leahy double teamed

Morgan Johnston eyes the hoop

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Filed under Newburyport, Whittier

Tagged as Abbie Bresnahan, Aly Leahy, Andrea Terranova, Emily Pettigrew, Kayla Riley, Michaela Martin, Samnell Vonleh, Whittier Tech

January 7, 2014 · 12:34 am

Kelsi McNamara (22 points) leads Pentucket past Newburyport 45-43

Kelsi McNamara (22 points) on the break

Jaycie Triandafilou pressures Kelsi McNamara

(West Newbury MA) Maybe they’re not dead after all.

But trust me, the Pentucket girls looked close to dead when they went down by ten (36-26) with 3:18 left in the third quarter against undefeated Newburyport.

However, the rest of the way the Sachems (4-3) made shots, forced eight turnovers, and defeated the Clippers, 45-43, on Monday night at steamy Pentucket.

Kelsi McNamara (22 points) had a remarkable game for Pentucket. The junior guard notched four 3’s, and set up teammate Carolyn Modlish for four layups including the game winner with 1:19 left. In the last minute Kelsi had a block, a free throw, and a steal.

I was there for Kelsi’s three’s in the tournament but I’m wondering if she has had a better all-around, regular-season game than this one.

Aly Leahy (12 points) heads for the basket as McKenna Kilian defends

This Cape Ann League game was especially intense in the final five minutes after Emily Pettigrew (12 points) tied the score at 40-40 on an inbounds play.

Pentucket got the next two baskets (McKenna Kilian jumper and Carolyn Modlish layup) before Aly Leahy (12 points) nailed a three with 1:04 left.

After freshman Colleen Jameson had a near-miss on a three, Newburyport took over trailing only by one (44-43). Senior Aly Leahy twice tried to drive down the lane but was blocked both times (McKenna Kilian and Kelsi McNamara). Without a shot hitting the rim, the Clippers were called for a 30-second shot clock violation with six seconds left.

Kelsi took the inbounds pass, was fouled, and made the front end of a one-and-one to put the Sachems ahead, 45-43.

Kelsi McNamara dribbles out the clock

Still time for Newburyport to get off a shot but Emily Pettigrew’s pass, intended for Aly Leahy, sailed over her head. Kelsi retrieved the overthrow and Pentucket had the win.

Pentucket used a zone for quite a while in this game and Newburyport took full advantage of it. Aly Leahy hit three longs ones while the Pettigrew sisters (Mary & Emily) chewed up the Sachems on the inside. When Pentucket played man-to-man in the second half the Clippers were a lot less comfortable. Carolyn Modlish and McKenna Kilian did a terrific job keeping the ball away from Mary or Emily in the late stages of the final quarter.

Amy Sullivan, Jaycie Triandafilou, and Aly Leahy all took turns closely guarding Kelsi McNamara. There were no easy shots for Kelsi. She did make several tough ones inside in traffic.

With Kelsi certain to be closely guarded, even double-teamed, openings turned up for teammates. Finding sophomore Carolyn Modlish for four layups was a key to the Pentucket victory.

Freshman Colleen Jameson

Another key was the play of freshman Colleen Jameson. Colleen was not even on the program so I assume that she played in the JV game. I think she played the entire second half in the varsity game. Her contribution? She could get the ball up the court freeing Kelsi from having to do it. She passed well and played good defense. Colleen should be on the varsity program for the Sachems’ home game on Wednesday with Hamilton-Wenham.

There were ten lead changes.

Senior Mary Pettigrew (14 points) is a returning Cape Ann League All-Leaguer. She made seven of eight free throws.

What a difference a year makes. Last year Pentucket defeated Newburyport 61-33 and 60-29.

The teams are scheduled to spend Valentine’s Day together in a rematch at Newburyport.

Next game for the Clippers (5-1) is Wednesday (6:30PM) at Amesbury.

I learned at the concessions stand that Alex Moore is at Rhode Island College playing for the Anchorwomen. The former Sachem had twenty-two points in a recent win over undefeated Bowdoin.

Pentucket box

Newburyport box

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

Riley Holden gets a high five from Coach John McNamara

Kelsi McNamara gives Pentucket a two-point lead

McKenna Kilian (23) blocks Aly Leahy

Carolyn Modlish gets the game winner

Aly Leahy and Rebecca Torrisi chase a loose ball

Mary Pettigrew (14 points) and Riley Holden

Audrey Tipson surrounded by Clippers

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Filed under Newburyport, Pentucket

Tagged as Aly Leahy, Colleen Jameson, Emily Pettigrew, Kelsi McNamara, Mary Pettigrew

December 21, 2013 · 12:10 am

Joe Bertrand (32 points) guides Saugus past Newburyport 62-48

Joe Bertrand (32 points) shoots a three over Drew Bourdeau

Joe Bertrand

(Newburyport MA) He was just your average Joe for a half.

But then came the third quarter and senior Joe Bertrand of Saugus lit up the Clippers for seventeen points.

Joe’s terrific period gave Saugus separation from Newburyport and the Sachems came away with a, 62-48, win on Friday night in Cape Ann League action.

Newburyport (2-1) hung with Saugus (2-2) for 2+ minutes into the second half. A layup by Dan Baribeault (15 points) on a nice pass from Dillon Guthro (13 points) had the Clippers down just one (31-30).

But the rest of that third quarter……..total disaster for the home team. The Clippers didn’t score a single point in the last 5 1/2 minutes of that quarter.

Meanwhile, Saugus rang up nineteen unanswered points to blow this one wide open (50-30) at the quarter’s end.

6-5 Joe Bertrand (32 points) did most of the damage. He hurt the Clippers from long range (seven 3’s) getting five of them in the 3rd quarter.

Joe Bertrand launches a late three to end the third quarter

It seemed fitting on this night that Joe would end that quarter with a fade-away long one from in front of the excited Sachems’ bench as the buzzer sounded.

It was a credit to Newburyport that after the horrible 3rd quarter they reeled off ten straight to start the next quarter. Three inside moves by Dillon Guthro sparked the comeback.

But the Sachems had another run in them and tallied all the points (eight) in the next two minutes and moved back into a comfortable margin (58-40) with 2 1/2 minutes left in the game. Lamarr Jones, Jack Furey, and Joe Bertrand put up the points in this game-sealing segment.

Dillon Guthro (13 points) shoots over Mike Lichwala

6-1 Drew Bourdeau had the unenviable task of shadowing Joe Bertrand. Drew’s frustration got the best of him in the final period.

Saugus used a zone defense. It worked because Newburyport had little success shooting from long range. However, the Clippers did pass themselves into high percentage shots in close.

Justin Winn ended the first quarter with a three (off the backboard) and Kyle Artilo ended the first half the same way.

The Sachems had seventeen turnovers but only one of them in the third quarter.

This is Saugus’ first year in the Cape Ann League after forty-five years in the Northeast Conference. The reason for the switch is that now Saugus will be able to play more schools their own size.

Two nights ago versus Triton, Joe Bertrand had twenty-five points and ten rebounds.

Dan Baribeault (15 points) breaks ahead

The Sachems next game is on Monday versus Masco on the road.

The Clippers don’t play again until a week from Monday (December 30th) when they host Triton.

Saugus was 12-10 last year.

I saw Saugus lose to Danvers two years ago at the Tsongas Arena in Division 3 tournament play.

Newburyport box

Saugus box

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

Kyle Artilo (22) runs into some strong NHS interior defense

Joe Bertrand blocks the shot of Dan Baribeault

Lamarr Jones tries to get around Mike Shay

Newburyport coach Tom LItalien

Dillon Guthro in for two

Drew Bourdeau

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Filed under Newburyport, Saugus

Tagged as Coach Paul Moran, Coach Tom L'Italien, Dan Baribeault, Dillon Guthro, Joe Bertrand, Newburyport High School, Saugus High School

June 5, 2013 · 10:19 pm

Opportunistic Whittier defeats Newburyport 6-2 to reach Division 3 North finals

Whittier teammates gather around winning pitcher Andrew Wells

Andrew Wells gets a force-out at home

(Lynn) Whittier Tech made the most of their chances and defeated Newburyport, 6-2, on Wednesday afternoon at Fraser Field.

The victory sends the #5 seed Wildcats to the D3 North finals to be played at Lelachuer Park in Lowell on Saturday.

Whittier (17-6) had two-out, two-run doubles (Ralph Francesconi and Anthony Licciardello) in the first and fifth innings. They also scored a run in the sixth inning on a two-out wild pitch.

Scott Webster scambles into third

Newburyport (15-8) scored two runs but it will be the runs they didn’t score that they’ll be remembering for a while. Let me list the opportunities they had:
(1) First inning – bases loaded with one out,
(2) Third inning – runner on second with no outs,
(3) Fourth inning – bases loaded with no outs,
(4) Fifth inning – leadoff double
(5) Sixth inning – bases loaded with two outs,
(6) Seventh inning – runners on first and second with no outs.

The Clippers did come out of those opportunities with two runs but their chance to have a really big inning was in place over and over again. But it didn’t happen on this season-ending day.

Whittier starter Andrew Wells allowed only six hits. Two of those hits (Colton Fontaine and Connor Wile) came in the first inning when a Connor MacRae fielder’s choice drove home the first Newburyport run.

Anthony Licciardello

The Wildcats set the tone for the afternoon in their half of the first inning. They took what the Clippers gave them (first two batters were walked by NHS starter Connor MacRae) and followed with an infield single by Anthony Licciardello to load the bases with no outs. A fielder’s choice (Jaylin Deveau) brought home one run and a 2-out double delivered two more.

Whittier added to their 3-1 lead in the fifth inning. A bunt single by Connor Manning and an infield error by Travis Wile set the stage for the second 2-out, 2-run double. Anthony Licciardello’s two-bagger to deep center put the Wildcats ahead, 5-1.

The Clippers got a run back in the sixth. Connor MacRae reached on an error and his pinch runner (Caleb Stott) came around on Scott Webster’s triple to left.

The Wildcats put up a run in their half of the sixth. Jaylin Deveau doubled to right center leading off. Evan Habib came on to relieve NHS starter Connor MacRae. Jaylin took third without a throw and with two outs came home on a wild pitch. That gave Whittier a 6-2 lead which they preserved in the seventh inning.

Third baseman Colton Fontaine throws out a bunter

The Clippers ended up stranding eleven runners. The Wildcats stranded just three runners.

Whittier had five errors including two in the final inning.

Terrific execution by Whittier in the fifth inning. After Brian Fiascone doubled to lead off the inning, Connor Wile hit a grounder to third baseman Stefano Zarro. The freshman looked Brian back toward second and threw to first. Brian took off for third when the throw was made but first baseman Jorge Martinez gunned a throw back to Stefano to nail Brian for a double play.

Andrew Wells

Coach Joe Boland opted to walk Colton Fontaine to load the bases in the sixth inning with two outs. That strategy worked as Andrew Wells struck out Brian Fiascone to end the threat with only one run scored.

Anthony Licciardello had two hits and two RBI for Whittier.

Colton Fontaine paced Newburyport with two hits and also scored a run.

The Clippers best game of the season could well have been the 4-0 upset of North Reading yesterday.

Next year looks to be a serious rebuilding year for the Clippers. Seven of their nine starters today are seniors.

The last time Newburyport played at Fraser Field was in 2011 and it was for the D3 state title against Pioneer Valley. It was also on the same day that the Bruins paraded the Stanley Cup through the streets of Boston.

Whittier boxscore

Newburyport boxscore

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

Stefano Zarro gets a force at third

Alex LoGuidice gets the fifth Whittier run

Andrew Fiascone and Scott Webster

watching warmups

Connor MacRae

Clippers head for final handshakes

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Filed under Newburyport, Whittier

Tagged as Andrew Wells, Anthony Licciardello, Colton Fontaine, Connor MacRae, Scott Webster, Stefano Zarro

June 4, 2013 · 9:40 pm

Newburyport upsets North Reading 4-0 to reach Division 3 North semi-finals

Pitcher Colby Morris celebrates after the final out

Ian Michaels dives into third with an RBI triple in the sixth inning

(North Reading) Newburyport lost twice to North Reading during the regular season but it didn’t matter as the Clippers upset the #1 seed Hornets, 4-0, in the Division 3 North quarterfinals at North Reading on a sunny Tuesday afternoon.

Newburyport (15-7) scored two unearned runs in the fourth and two insurance runs in the sixth and, combined with the shutout pitching of Colby Morris (6 hits/5 K’s), had enough to stun the D3 defending champions.

The # 8 seed Clippers have now won eight straight and return to action tomorrow (Wednesday) at Fraser Field in Lynn (4PM) to face Whittier in the D3 North semi-finals.

The last time Newburyport played at Fraser Field was when they won the Division 3 state title in June of 2011.

Ryan McAuliffe took the loss for the Hornets. Ryan had defeated Newburyport, 9-1, on April 17th striking out fifteen Clippers in a special victory that was Coach Frank Carey’s 700th win. This time around Ryan registered eight strikeouts but surrendered eight hits including a triple (Ian Michaels) and two doubles (Colton Fontaine and Scott Webster).

Winning pitcher Colby Morris struck out five while allowing six hits. The key for Colby was keeping the ball down as he limited NR to two flyball outs.

A low throw from shortstop Ryley Warnock gets away from Mike Brandano

A throw from Mike Brandano goes wide of Ryley Warnock

The unearned runs (4th inning) came after both Colby Morris and Connor Wiles singled with one out. First baseman Mike Brandano tried for a force at second, after fielding Connor MacRae’s grounder, but threw wide left of shortstop Ryley Warnock allowing Colby Morris to score. Later shortstop Ryley Warnock took a chance at getting Scott Webster on a slow roller and his throw went past Mike Brandano enabling Connor Wiles to come home with the second Clippers run.

Coach Carey visits Ryan McAuliffe in the sixth inning

The 2-0 lead grew to 4-0 in the sixth inning. Connor MacRae reached on a fielder’s choice with two outs. Ian Michaels, who had struck out twice previously against Ryan McAuliffe, blasted a high 2-strike pitch over Dennis Rollfs’ head in left field for a triple scoring Connor MacRae. Next batter, freshman Scott Webster, singled to left bringing Ian Michaels home.

The Hornets put two on with two out in the bottom of the sixth but Eric Gordon grounded out to second to end that threat.

In the bottom of the seventh, Shane Driscoll singled to lead off. However, Colby Morris struck out Ryan Sanborn looking and got Dennis Rolffs to ground into a 6-3 double play to end it.

NR had two on and two out in the third inning. However, Colby Maiola’s hard shot down the first baseline was snared by Travis Wile.

Scott Webster caught in a rundown

Newburyport tried a suicide squeeze in third inning but the bunt didn’t happen. Scott Webster, however, found a way to get back to third.

North Reading caught Colton Fontaine (he had doubled) in a rundown in the first inning.

An interference call on Hornets baserunner Dennis Rollfs turned a force-out at second into an inning-ending double play in the NR fifth.

The Clippers loaded the bases in the seventh inning but Ryan McAuliffe whiffed Connor Wile and got Connor MacRae to fly to centerfield.

North Reading was 22-4 in 2012. This season ends for them at 19-3. Coach Frank Carey’s career record now stands at 716-273.

Scott Webster had three hits for Newburyport and drove in a run.

Dennis Rollfs led NR with two hits.

Newburyport boxscore

North Reading boxscore

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

Keith Linnane steals second

Colton Fontaine caught in a rundown

Steve Malenfant and Frank Carey discuss the rules

Travis Wile stretches for the last out

Colby Morris

Newburyport dugout

Ryley Warnock gets a forceout at second base

Connor Wiles crosses with the second Newburyport run

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Filed under Newburyport, North Reading

Tagged as Coach Frank Carey, Colby Morris, Colton Fontaine, Connor Wile, Dennis Rollfs, Ian Michaels, Ryan McAuliffe, Ryley Warnock, Scott Webster

June 1, 2013 · 8:39 pm

Amesbury downs Newburyport 11-1 in Division 2 North softball quarterfinals

Indians celebrate quarterfinals win over Newburyport

Amanda Schell had three hits, three RBI, and scored three runs

(Amesbury) The stars were out and so was the sun screen as (#2 seed) Amesbury defeated neighboring Newburyport, 11-1, in the Division 2 North quarterfinals at toasty Amesbury on Saturday afternoon.

Impressive win for Amesbury (19-2). They will play again on June 5th (Wednesday) in the D2 North semi-finals.

Good news for Amesbury today was that Tewksbury took out #1 seed Danvers. Last year in the tourney, the Falcons ended Amesbury’s season, 2-1, at Danvers.

Five of the Indians were honored by the Cape Ann League a few days ago for their play in the 2013 season. Against the Clippers those selections looked golden. Let me take you through what each of those players did today:

(1) Pitcher Carolina Merrill – Gave up an unearned run in the first and survived a bases loaded jam in the second. The Amesbury senior then retired 16 of the last 17 Clippers she faced.

(2) Shortstop Amanda Schell – Had 3 RBI, 3 hits, and 3 runs scored and flawlessly handled six chances in the field.

(3) First baseman Erin Leary – Had a hit, an RBI, and scored a run.

(4) Catcher Cassie Schultz (D2 CAL POY) – Had three hits and drove in three runs.

Ashley Valme heads for home as Kendra Dow throws from the outfield

(5) Leftfielder Ashley Valme – Had a two-run homer that reached the stadium wall beyond leftfield.

Newburyport had been blown out by Amesbury a month ago, 18-1, enduring a thirteen-run second inning along the way. The Clippers obviously needed to stay away from the big inning against Amesbury.

And they did, until the bottom of the fifth inning. The Indians lead was only 2-1 and NHS starter Vicki Allman had retired eleven straight Amesbury hitters.

The fifth, however, started ominously for Newburyport as errors by 3B Meghan Stanton and pitcher Vicki Allman gave Amesbury baserunners they shouldn’t have had. Five of the next six Indians’ batters had hits, including a double (Amanda Schell), triple (Cassie Schultz), and a homer (Ashley Valme), and the home team had seven runs and the dreaded big inning Newburyport wanted to avoid.

NHS coach Lori Solazzo visits the mound

Up 9-1, Amesbury added two more in the sixth. Amanda Schell tripled in Jenna Bartley and later scored on a wild pitch to close the scoring.

The Clippers had only four hits (Kendra Dow, Lea Tomasz, Casey Barlow, and Meghan Stanton). Carley Siemasko drove in their lone run with a sacrifice fly in the first inning.

Newburyport had the bases loaded with one out in the second inning but Carolina Merrill got a force out and a fly out to end the threat.

Amesbury answered with two runs in the bottom of the first thanks to their first three batters. Cassie Schultz’s double brought in Amanda Schell and Erin Leary.

Weird ending to that Amesbury first. Pitcher Vicki Allman thought she had struck out Autumn Kligerman so she headed off the field and everyone followed including baserunner Lucy Scholz who was on second base. The problem was that it was only two strikes and everyone stopped exiting including baserunner Lucy. Rightfielder Casey Barlow had reached second base during the exiting part and was there to take the throw from catcher Lauren Singer and tag Lucy out for the third out as she scrambled to get back. That’s 2-to-9 for those scoring at home!

Jenna Bartley had two hits, scored two runs, and drove in a run for Amesbury.

AHS coach Chris Perry and NHS coach Lori Solazzo

The coaches-of-the-year for the CAL were on hand for this one – AHS Chris Perry and NHS Lori Solazzo.

Amesbury had a 10-game winning streak stopped by Division 1 Methuen in their last regular season game.

Newbury finished 15-7 winning four of their last six. Their best game of the season may have been the 4-3 victory on Thursday over Marblehead with a nice combination of pitching, fielding, and hitting.

The Clippers will have to replace senior starters Jackie Krusemark, Lea Tomasz, Kendra Dow, and Casey Barlow. Lea and Kendra have been starters for three (?) years.

Autumn Kligerman makes a nice catch to end the game

Third baseman Autumn Kligerman made two key defensive plays for Amesbury.

The ice cream truck had the good business sense to drive into the parking lot adjacent to the field giving off its usual sound effects. I was shocked that a good part of the sizable crowd didn’t temporarily exit to find something cool.

This was Amesbury’s fifth straight win over Newburyport.

Newburyport boxscore

Amesbury boxscore

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

Casey Barlow loses a battle to a tough sun.

Jenna Bartley scores the sisth run for Amesbury on a wild pitch

Jenna Bartley scores the sixth run for Amesbury on a wild pitch

Kendra Dow sets to throw

pre-game prep

parking lot diversion

Cassie Schultz loses the ball in the second inning

Carley Siemasko drops a popup but recovers quickly to tag out Amanda Schell

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Filed under Amesbury, Newburyport

Tagged as Amanda Schell, Ashley Valme, Carolina Merrill, Casey Barlow, Cassie Schultz, Erin Leary, Jackie Krusemark, Kendra Dow, Vicki Allman

May 31, 2013 · 9:34 pm

Newburyport cruises by Charlestown 11-0 in First Round Division 3 North baseball

Connor Wile (#3) is met at home by his teammates in the fifth inning after a long home run.

(Newburyport) You get these mismatches occasionally in the early rounds of the MIAA baseball tournament.

And that’s what this was as Newburyport easily defeated Charlestown, 11-0, on a seriously hot Friday afternoon at Newburyport.

The victory gets Newburyport (14-7) to the North Division 3 quarterfinals. They will face the winner of tomorrow’s North Reading/Swampscott game probably on Monday.

Luis Atiles throws wide to first allowing the first Clippers run in the second inning

The Clippers essentially put this game away in the second inning. In that frame, two walks, three hits, and four errors combined to enable the home team to collect seven runs. Newburyport sent twelve batters to the plate in that inning.

Starter Connor MacRae and two relievers (Leighton Paradis and Cameron Beaulieu) combined for a two-hit shutout. Connor went five innings to notch his 6th win of the season.

Newburyport hit Townies starter Luis Atiles hard totaling eleven hits. The one hit they’ll be talking about for a while was Connor Wiles’ blast over the right centerfield fence in the fifth. Connor took a long look at the shot that appeared headed for Hope Community Church on Hale Street.

Connor’s homer was the end of a four-run fifth. Brian Fiascone drove in two of the runs with a shot to the leftfield corner. Colby Morris added the other with an infield groundout.

NHS coach Steve Malenfant took away the bunt and the steal after the seven-run second in an act of sportsmanship that sets a good example. He was also able to get every player in uniform into the game before it was over.

Connor Wile and Colton Fontaine each had two hits for Newburyport. Brian Fiascone and Colton Fontaine each had two RBI.

Ramon Pena had a single to right in the second inning. Donelle Dunn had an infield single with two outs in the seventh inning.

Connor MacRae went five innings for the win.

Connor MacRae registered six K’s getting five of them looking.

Jose Cordero pitched the final 1 1/3 innings for Charlestown.

Charlestown certainly had the best dugout location………in the shade!

Newburyport has now won seven straight games since a 3-1 loss to North Reading on May 14th. A rematch with the Hornets would be very interesting.

Newburyport boxscore

Charlestown boxscore

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

wrong hats

Miguel Arias

Ian Michaels started a double play.

Caleb Stott (#8) scores the 9th Newburyport run

Luis Atiles (#5) walked three times

Clippers celebrate victory

Luis Atiles

Connor Wile in the home run trot

Connor MacRae throws to first

Alberto Melo reaches third

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Filed under Charlestown, Newburyport

Tagged as Brian Fiascone, Connor MacRae, Connor Wile, Luis Atiles, Steve Malenfant

May 30, 2013 · 8:07 pm

Newburyport wins D2 North softball tourney opener 4-3 over Marblehead

Newburyport celebrates 4-3 win over Marblehead in D2 North tourney opener

(Marblehead) Newburyport reached the Sweet Sixteen of Division 2 North with a tight, 4-3, win over Marblehead on a very hot Thursday afternoon.

The Clippers (15-6) now gets a third try against Amesbury. This time in the D2 North quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon (3PM) at Amesbury Middle School.

Vicki Allman tossed a three-hitter and had two hits herself

Vicki Allman pitched a complete-game, three-hitter for Newburyport in the do-or-die atmosphere of tournament play.

The #10-seed Clippers put four of their nine hits together in the top of the sixth inning to collect two runs and get the lead (4-3) for good.

Marblehead (#7 seed) threatened in the bottom of the seventh. Pinchrunner McKenzie Joyce stole second with two outs but Vicki Allman got Emily Promise to foul out to first baseman Carley Siemasko to end the threat and Marblehead’s season.

Newburyport jumped in front with a run in the first. Lauren Singer drilled a triple off Magician past leftfielder Allison Kapoll. Lea Tomasz singled through the hole between short and third driving Lauren home.

Marblehead (14-7) didn’t get a hit until the fourth inning but that didn’t stop them from getting two runs in the first off a very shaky Newburyport defense in their half of the first inning. A two-out bobble by shortstop Kendra Dow extended the inning. Two batters later, leftfielder Ashley Hodge dropped a fly ball allowing both Anistasia Vainis and McKenzie Joyce to score.

Things got a little weird in the Clippers half of the second inning. Newburyport loaded the bases (a Sarah Bornstein error was in the mix) with one out. Kendra Dow struck out but catcher Emily Messinger dropped the ball and Shelby O’Brien scored from third (barely…….Why didn’t she slide?) to tie the score at 2-2.

Lea Tomasz eyes a line drive

Two more Clippers errors in the Marblehead fourth put the Magicians up by a run. Centerfielder Lea Tomasz tried for a two-out shoestring catch but Rachel McKay’s line drive got past her enabling Rachel to reach second. Third baseman Meghan Stanton then threw away Alexa Brown’s grounder allowing Rachel to cross with Marblehead’s third run.

That run started to look like a game-winner after the Clippers went quietly in the fifth and then made an out to start the sixth.

However, Newburyport then had consecutive singles by Casey Barlow, Carley Siemasko, and Shelby O’Brien to tie the score. Shelby sent a 2-strike pitch to center for the RBI. Another single (Vicki Allman) loaded the bases with one out. Jackie Krusemark’s fly ball delivered Carley Siemasko from third (barely……Why didn’t she slide?) with what turned out to be the winning run.

Carley Siemasko tags up as leftfielder Allison Kapoll prepares to throw to the plate

Carley Siemasko scores

Lea Tomasz, Shelby O’Brien, and Vicki Allman had two hits each for Newburyport.

Rachel McKay had two hits for Marblehead.

Michaela Leblanc was ruled out for interference leading off the fourth inning. Catcher Lauren Singer’s throw on a bunt hit Michaela in fair territory.

Lea Tomasz was ruled out on an appeal play for leaving third base too early on a one-out fly ball in the third inning.

Sarah Bornstein

Third baseman Sarah Bornstein made a nice play on a line drive in the fourth inning for Marblehead.

The game was delayed in the fifth inning as Lauren Singer was tended to.

There was a breeze but the heat (high 80’s) was oppressive.

The playing field at the middle school was in excellent condition.

Yes, there were two Newburyport infield errors, but they also handled eleven other infield chances flawlessly.

Emily Messinger popped out to first baseman Carley Siemasko all three times she batted.

A big play in this game was in the final inning. After Rachel McKay singled, Alexa Brown hit a grounder past pitcher Vicki Allman. It looked like Newburyport trouble but shortstop Kendra Dow reacted quickly and got a force play at second.

Third baseman Meghan Stanton throws a strike to first

Two years ago I saw Marblehead eliminate Triton (at Triton) 7-1. Michaela Leblanc pitched that day. Junior Michaela holds the Marblehead school record with 32 wins.

A very good North Reading team went out again in the opening round (5-2 to Reading). Last year the Hornets were the #1 seed and lost to Saugus after having the Sachems down, 5-1, in the last inning. Ouch!

On May 1st, Amesbury put an 18-0 mercy rule game on Newburyport. The Indians had an 18-batter, 13-run second inning in that one. Vicki Allman was hit hard (18 hits) and the Clippers defense was weak. However, the pressure could be on the #2 seed Indians playing at home. The game is sure to be interesting.

Newburyport boxscore

Marblehead boxscore

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