Category Archives: Newburyport

May 22, 2021 · 5:22 pm

Undefeated Newburyport gets 7-6 walkoff win over Amesbury

Amesbury catcher Will Arsenault can only watch as Luke Stallard crosses with the winning run

(Newburyport MA) If it wasn’t for bad luck, they’d have no luck at all.

Nice song but today we could apply it to the Amesbury Indians.

Twice in three days Amesbury has been close to a win only to have their hopes dashed in the late innings.

On Thursday it was a loss in extra innings to Hamilton-Wenham.

Today, it was a, 7-6, walk-off loss to Newburyport at Pettingell Park.

The undefeated Clippers (7-0) are into a remarkable season.

“Our team never feels as if they’re out of any game,” said NHS coach Mark Rowe afterwards, “There is something special going on.”

This game definitely required some of that “special” stuff for Newburyport because Amesbury was up, 6-0, after 4 ½ innings thanks to a five-run fifth inning.

“The third time through the lineup we started hitting the ball and we scored some runs,” said AHS coach Joel Brierley afterwards.

Newburyport, however, answered with five runs in the bottom of the 5^th. Jake Buontempo’s 3-run, two-out homer was the big shot.

“I was down 2-2 so I had to protect the plate,” explained Jake. “I choked up on the bat. I think it was a fastball away. I got all of it.”

“Jake’s homer was huge,” said Nick White. “The momentum after a home run is like nothing else. It gets the whole dugout fired up.”

The Clippers tied the score in the sixth. Quinn Fortuna (two hits) started the inning with an infield single. Freshman Connor Stick was inserted as a pinch-runner. Connor stole second and came home on Ryan Archer’s single up the middle.

Jake Buontempo (gold helmet) had a 3-run shot during the Clippers’ rally

The Indians (4-3) had the go-ahead run on second with one out in the top of the seventh, but reliever Charlie Forrest got a strikeout and a groundout to end the threat.

Newburyport won the game in their half of the seventh inning.

Luke Stallard singled off reliever Josh Sorgini and stole second. Jake Buontempo walked. Quinn Fontana’s deep grounder to short would have loaded the bases but a wide throw to second allowed Luke to score from second with the game-winner.

“That last play was a hit,” recalled Coach Brierley. “The throw probably should have gone to third base because it was in front of him. He’s a good kid. He’ll learn from it.”

Amesbury took a 1-0 lead in the 4^th inning on a Jeremy Lopez home run over the rightfield fence. It was the senior’s first varsity homer.

“Jeremy’s our leader on the field, on the mound, and at the bat,” said Coach Brierley.

The Indians had five runs in the fifth inning on five hits. Tim Gilleo cleared the bases with two-out double. Before Tim’s hit, Drew MacDonald had singled in a run. After Tim’s hit, Trevor Kimball drove in a run.

Amesbury looked in good shape, with a six-run lead, to pin a loss on Newburyport, but the Clippers rallied and remain undefeated.

“We have a lot of good hitters,” said Coach Rowe. “I now kind of expect something good will eventually happen.”

Drew MacDonald and Trevor Kimball paced Amesbury with two hits each. Will Arsenault, Jeremy Lopez, Tim Gilleo, and Drew Scialdone each had a hit.

Quinn Fortuna led Newburyport with two hits. He also got the “cooler” treatment after his single contributed to the winning run being scored.

It was hot and humid enough that we all could have used some cooling off.

Newburyport’s other hits were by Jax Budgell, Tony Lucci, Luke Stallard, Jake Buontempo, and Ryan Archer. Jax, Luke, and Ryan each had an RBI.

Luke Stallard started for the Clippers and went 4 2/3. Charlie Forrest took it from there.

Charlie came on in the fifth inning with two-on, two-out, and five runs already in for Amesbury. He got a ground out to end the inning.

“It hurt us to leave those two runners on,” said Coach Brierley.

Jeremy Lopez went five innings for Amesbury. Josh Sorgini followed and pitched into the seventh.

“It was great to catch sophomore Charlie Forrest,” said Nick White. “I think it was his first time pitching varsity.”

Nick will be attending Clemson in the fall. He assured me that it had nothing to do with the weather! “I have family down there, and they have a good business program. I might try to play club baseball.”

Jake will be playing baseball at Framingham State next year. “I will be majoring in criminology,” he said.

Coach Brierley: “It wasn’t the outcome we wanted but we’ll bounce back.”

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

Tiernan Bentley congratulated after scoring

Tim Gilleo scores as catcher Nick White corrals the throw home

Celebrating the win begins for the Clippers

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Filed under Amesbury, Newburyport

Tagged as Drew MacDonald, Jake Buontempo, Jeremy Lopez, Quinn Fortuna, Tim Gilleo

May 18, 2021 · 9:23 pm

Newburyport stays undefeated (5-0) after 2-0 win over Lynnfield

Sophomore Owen Tahnk allowed five hits and had six strikeouts in a complete game win.

Michael Habib scored the first Newburyport run

(Newburyport MA) The Clippers continue to win.

This afternoon it was, 2-0, over Lynnfield.

Coach Mark Rowe said afterwards that he was happy with the 5-0 start but wasn’t thrilled with the way his team played today.

“I think that we were a little flat,” he said. “Maybe it was because it was the first really warm day we’ve played in.”

There were popups and weak grounders by a team that has been making solid connections regularly.

“The majority of our at bats were disappointing,” Coach Rowe added.

But steady pitching by sophomore Owen Tahnk kept Newburyport in the game despite only three hits.

Senior Trent Balian pitched very effectively for the Pioneers.

Good teams find ways to win.

“We took advantage of our opportunities,” said Coach Rowe.

THE opportunity was the fifth inning. A one-out single by senior Michael Habib was followed by two walks (Jack Fehlner & Tony Lucci).

Luke Stallard’s long fly to center delivered Michael while Jake Buontempo’s sharp single to center brought Jack home.

Those two runs held up.

Lynnfield (1-4) had chances.

Spencer Riley doubled off the fence in left

The Pioneers collected five hits and had runners in scoring position in the first four innings as well as the sixth inning.

“We couldn’t get him in,” said Lynnfield coach John O’Brien post-game, “that was the story of the game.”

“Newburyport took advantage of a couple of walks that hurt us,” said Coach O’Brien referencing Newburyport’s two-run fifth inning. “They got the timely hit.”

Evan Balian paced Lynnfield with two hits.

Spencer Riley hit a part of the leftfield fence in the fourth inning in a section of fencing that doesn’t exist in most of the rest of the field. Could have gone out if it wasn’t pulled so much. He had to settle for a double.

Newburyport pitcher Owen Tahnk remembered it: “That double off the fence was a scare.”

Owen limited Lynnfield to five hits and yielded only two walks.

“His limiting the walks was important,” said Coach Rowe.

Owen had six strikeouts getting two each in the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th innings. In each of those innings the Pioneers had runners in scoring position.

“My slider and curve were working well today,” said Owen. “I got grounders and fly balls on off-speed pitches.”

Coach O’Brien: “We’re back to ground zero after getting a nice win the other day.”

Ryan Archer: “Our goal every day is to go 1-0. We have two games coming up and that’s what we’re focusing on.”

I didn’t hear the news, but I saw the news. The players weren’t wearing masks! Is this where I say, “It’s about time!” and give away my politics?

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

Baserunner Michael Habib and SS Henry Caulfield

Aidan Burke out stealing as Tony Lucci takes throw

Nick White had one of the three Newburyport hits

2B Jack Bird tries for a force at second

Ryan Archer about to be tagged out by SS Henry Caulfield

Trent Balian slides into 3B in the second inning

CF Luke Martinho made some nice running catches

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Filed under Lynnfield, Newburyport, Uncategorized

Tagged as Evan Balian, Jake Buontempo, Luke Stallard, Owen Tahnk, Trent Balian

May 15, 2021 · 5:49 pm

Undefeated Newburyport shuts out Manchester-Essex 7-0

Jack Fehlner pitched a 2-hit complete game for the Clippers

Kellen Heney held the Clippers hitless for five innings

(Newburyport MA) The weather was perfect.

Manchester-Essex pitcher Kellen Heney was perfect…..through five innings.

But when the game ended, Newburyport was perfect (4-0) after defeating the Hornets, 7-0, on Saturday morning at Pettingell Field.

ME struggled in the field all game collecting miscues in five of the six innings.

“Our pitchers have been pitching well,” said ME coach James Weed afterwards. “I’m just not used to the kind of defense we’re playing.”

The shaky defense gave the Clippers a run in the fourth, but this was a one-run game going into the Newburyport sixth.

Then the wheels fell off for the visitors. An infield error and five Newburyport hits put six runs on the board and sealed this one for the home team.

Jack Fehlner pitched a complete-game two-hitter for the Clippers. He wasn’t overpowering (one strikeout) but gave up just two walks.

“Jack was in total command,” said Newburyport coach Mark Rowe post-game. “It was as good as I’ve seen him pitch. It was his first complete game.”

Catcher Nick White: “Jack’s fastball was working today. Usually, it’s the off-speed pitch but today the fastball was the primary out pitch. He challenged them.”

The Clippers 1-0 lead looked anything but secure heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.

“The scoreboard doesn’t show how close this game really was,” added Jack Fehlner. “They’re a great team.”

Jake Buontempo had the first Newburyport hit in the 6th inning

Senior Jake Buontempo was in the middle of the Newburyport success in the sixth inning.

Jake ended Kellen Heney’s hitless streak with a double that drove in Luke Stallard who had reached on an infield error.

Rare play alert! Demetri Connor popped the ball behind the plate near the backstop. Catcher Michael Quill and pitcher Kellen Heney both went after it and Michael got it. Jake alertly took advantage and raced in from third.

Jake reached third on Nick White’s infield hit.

“I was watching to see where the pitcher was going,” recalled Jake. “He followed the catcher to the backstop, so I knew the plate was wide open and I took what I had.”

Jake also made a nice running catch in rightfield in the fifth inning and ended the game with a routine catch.

The Hornets (1-4) are the defending Division 4 state champions. I was at LaLacheur Park (Lowell) on June 22, 2019 when they defeated Tahanto, 5-2.

Will Levendusky was part of that team but a football injury has kept him from playing so far.

“It hurts not to have Will but for us it’s “next man up,” said Coach Weed. “We have three freshmen playing. We’re just trying to find the right formula. We’ll get it going. We’ll make a run.”

Freshman Kellen Heney was the starter and winner in the state title game. He’s now a junior.

“Their pitcher was good,” explained Jake Buontempo. “He could locate really well. Toward the end we started to catch onto him.”

Coach Mark Rowe: “It was two top-notch pitchers out there. Unfortunately, his defense let him down a bit. We challenged by putting balls in play and forcing them to make plays. When they didn’t make plays, we took advantage.”

AJ Pallazola and Michael Quill had the hits for Manchester-Essex.

Jack Fehlner: “It was a beautiful day to be out here with the guys. Our guys made plays. I’ll put some ice on my arm and get back at it Tuesday against Lynnfield.”

Speaking of ice, I have a picture of Will Levendusky pouring the contents of an ice bucket over the head of Coach Weed in the celebrating after the D4 title win. On that hot day and under those circumstances, it probably felt pretty good.

Remarkable weather and plenty of fans from both schools out enjoying it.

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

Luke Stallard steals 2B as Michael Deoreo tries to tag him

Jack Fehlner dives back into 2nd as Satchem Ramos tries to tag him

AJ Pallazola dives back into first as Brady Ford takes throw

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Filed under Manchester-Essex, Newburyport, Uncategorized

Tagged as Jack Fehlner, Jake Buontempo, Kellen Heney, Nick White

May 12, 2021 · 9:48 pm

Emily Meleedy hits/pitches Newburyport to 10-5 win over Ipswich

Emily Meleedy had a two-run homer in Newburyport’s four-run second inning

(Newburyport MA) Ipswich coach Paul James knew that he’d seen something special.

“She’s legit. No doubt.”

The Tigers coach was referencing Newburyport’s Emily Meleedy.

Emily had plenty to do with the (3-0) Clippers, 10-5, win over the Tigers on Wednesday afternoon at Pioneer Park.

At the end of the fourth inning, the home team was ahead, 9-1.

By then, Emily had a double, home run (over the centerfield fence), and a single, driving in five runs and scoring three times.

The two batters ahead of Emily in the batting order (Emma Keefe & Cali Caponigro) were also very productive early on as Newburyport built their big lead. Emma and Cali both reached base three times and each scored three times.

Emily also pitched.

Emily Meleedy struck out seven Tigers and allowed six hits

Through four innings the NHS freshman allowed just one hit (Kate Bekeritis) and struck out five.

Lexi James was part of the Ipswich comeback in the 5th inning

Credit Ipswich for putting a four-run rally together in the 5^th inning.

“We were down early but we didn’t quit,” said Coach James. “We got the game back closer.”

The Tigers (2-1) started making solid contact and getting on base.

“It took us a couple of times around to get used to the pitching,” said Coach James.

Eight Tigers came to the plate in that 4-run fifth with Lexi James, Kate Bekeritis, and Cassidy Smith getting RBIs.

But the damage was limited to four runs. Again, we find Emily Meleedy playing a big role. She assisted on an out at first, caught a popup, and struck out the last batter of the inning.

Emily struck out seven in the game and ended three innings with strikeouts.

Ipswich had two hits in the 6^th inning but ran into a double play on a fly ball to douse a promising chance to score.

RF Keira Dowell ended the game with a nice running catch in foul territory.

The infield surface at Pioneer Park was hard and bumpy. Both teams struggled making plays on grounders as they tried to figure out hops.

“I thought that we played a sloppy game,” said Newburyport coach Bob Gillespie afterwards. “We were much better in the first two games. But we can correct the mistakes.”

“We had some struggles, but we pushed through,” said Emily Meleedy.

The Tigers finished with six hits. Freshman Piper Reily had two of them.

The Clippers started four freshmen and an eighth grader (Sophie Lavallee).

The Tigers started three freshmen.

“We’re a young team and this was a huge building game for us,” said Coach James.

Emily Meleedy: “I was throwing mostly fastballs. I have a good team to back me up. It feels good to hit a homer. I play club softball in Salisbury. On the club team I pitch and play shortstop.”

Little bit of rain early but that was the end of it.

Parking at Pioneer Park is nearly non-existent. There were two other games going on at the same time. I don’t know the parking solution, but there were cars in harm’s way when I left. Be careful over there.

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

Piper Reily scores a run in the 5th inning

Annabel Morris takes a swing as Cali Caponigro catches

Sophie Lavallee caught stealing by Lexi James

Bad-hop grounders were the order of the day

Cali Caponigro scores in the first inning

Keira Dowell mobbed after game-ending catch

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Filed under Ipswich, Newburyport

Tagged as Cali Caponigro, Emily Meleedy, Emma Keefe, Keira Dowell

May 11, 2021 · 10:39 pm

Newburyport hitting key to 7-1 win vs Pentucket

Jake Buontempo (gold helmet) congratulated after 2-run homer in sixth inning

Sophomore Owen Tahnk won his first varsity start.

(Newburyport MA) “Our whole team swings the bat well,” said Newburyport coach Mark Rowe post-game.

That skill was certainly on display today with eleven hits recorded for the home team.

Eight different Clippers (2-0) had hits as they defeated Pentucket, 7-1, on Tuesday afternoon at Pettingell Field in Cape Ann League action.

Meanwhile, the pitching of Owen Tahnk and Jack Fehlner held Pentucket to three hits. Only one of those hits came over the final five innings.

The Sachems (1-2) led early, 1-0, and could have had more. They had the bases loaded with one out in the third inning but came up empty.

“We’ve got to do a better job swinging the bat with runners in scoring position,” said Pentucket coach Kevin Murray.

Trevor Kamuda and Bryce Winter pitched for the Sachems.

Sophomore Owen Tahnk got the win for the Clippers going five innings in his first varsity start, giving up three hits, and striking out five.

“Owen was dominant early,” said Coach Rowe. “When he did get some baserunners (bases loaded in the 3^rd, second and third in the 5^th) he managed to find a way out of it. I’m incredibly proud of him.”

The Clippers struck twice with two outs; first in the fourth inning and then in the fifth.

In the 4^th, the runs came on a Luke Stallard double, an intentional walk to Jake Buontempo, and a bases-clearing double by Ryan Archer over the leftfielder’s head.

“The pitch was in my sweet spot, a little inside, a little low,” recalled Ryan Archer. “I just wanted to put it in play.

Those two runs gave Newburyport the lead, 2-1.

In the 5^th, Charlie Forrest was hit by a pitch and took second on a passed ball. Jack Fehlner’s double to left scored Charlie, and Tony Lucci’s next-batter double scored Jack.

Jack Fehlner had 2 hits, an RBI, and 2 innings of scoreless relief

The Clippers added three runs to their 4-1 margin in the sixth inning.

In that 6^th inning, Newburyport had four straight hits off reliever Bryce Winter.

The big shot was Jake Buontempo’s 2-run homer over the leftfield fence.

“It felt really good off the bat,” said Jake afterwards. “It was a fastball up and in. I caught it at the right time, and it just flew. It was my first home run in high school.”

Junior Quinn Fortuna drove home the seventh Newburyport run.

Coach Murray: “I thought we pitched well. We just didn’t swing the bats. We were better than what the score shows. We’re two weeks in with room to grow.”

Coach Rowe: “It was a good baseball game. I give the (Trevor) Kamuda kid a lot of credit. He was your typical crafty lefty. He threw strikes and he kept us off balance. We had hits at key opportunities.”

The defense was solid for both teams. Trevor Kamuda started a double play in the first inning. Shortstop Andrew Melone made a nice running catch in short left to end the Newburyport second.

The weather was good. It was breezy but the fielders didn’t let it bother them.

In the Newburyport win over Triton, the game ended on a running catch in foul territory. More of the same today, as 1B Charlie Forrest avoided the out-of-bounds line to catch the final out.

Ryan Archer: “We’re just two games in with a long way to go. We’ve got bigger goals than winning this game today.”

You know it’s not your day when you’re driving past the game and a foul ball catches your car on the roof as it did to some unlucky driver today.

Pettingell Field looked to be in terrific shape. I saw why afterwards when every member of the Newburyport team went to work on it to keep it that way.

(All of the pictures should enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

(Some of the pictures will end up on Instagram eventually.)

Two of the Cape Ann League’s best athletes

Ryan Archer drove in the first two Newburyport runs

Jake Buontempo and Luke Stallard scored on Ryan Archer’s double

3B Luke Stallard gets a forceout to end the Pentucket 3rd inning

Leftfielder Alex Pinkham chases a hit to the outfield

Alex Pinkham scores while catcher Nick White waits for the throw

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Filed under Newburyport, Pentucket

Tagged as Jack Fehlner, Jake Buontempo, Owen Tahnk, Ryan Archer, Will Roberts

May 6, 2021 · 11:20 pm

Newburyport hits and fields its way to a 10-4 win over Triton

Jax Budgell slides home safely during Newburyport’s six-run fourth inning

(Rowley MA) Newburyport made full use of the equipment they brought.

The Clippers collected twelve hits defeating Triton, 10-4, at Eiras Park in the season opener for both teams on a sunny Thursday afternoon.

And then there were the gloves.

Sometimes you’ll get one catch that earns a star in the scorebook. On this afternoon, all the Clippers outfielders (Ryan Archer, Jake Buontempo, Jax Budgell) had highlight moments.

“We have some great outfielders,” understated NHS starter Jack Fehlner afterwards.

Newburyport picked up six runs in the fourth inning with two outs and Triton couldn’t completely recover.

The Vikings did recover enough to close to 6-4 with a run in the 4^th and three in the 5^th.

Newburyport starter Jack Fehlner ended both of Triton’s run-producing innings with called strikeouts to limit their comeback attempts.

Jax Budgell makes a diving catch to end the game

“Triton is a very good hitting team,” said Jack.

Ryan Archer scored twice for the Clippers

“When Triton was down by six, I told the team between innings that they won’t lay down,” said Coach Mark Rowe, “and they didn’t.”

Catcher Nick White, usually known for his defense behind the plate, was instead recognized (by me) for his hitting. And why not, he had three hits and four RBI.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a hitting game like this before,” explained Nick.

“With the rain recently, we’ve done a lot of hitting under the stadium and I think it paid off,” said Coach Rowe.

Senior Ryan Archer also had three hits that turned into three RBI.

“Newburyport is a good team,” said Triton coach Ryan McCarthy. “They have returning players and they’re aggressive at the plate.”

Triton managed seven hits with senior Brady Lindholm getting two hits for the Vikes.

Things did not go Triton’s way in Newburyport’s six-run fourth inning. The Vikings nearly had baserunner Charlie Forrest picked off. Later in the same inning, Newburyport loaded the bases with two outs and no runs in at this point. An infield grounder didn’t result in an inning-ending force-out and two runs scored. Four more Clippers runs would follow before Triton could stop the damage.

“It stung that they got six with two outs,” recalled Coach McCarthy.

The Vikings rallied back in the 4^th and 5^th. Cael Kohan’s bases-loaded single gave Triton its second run.

Kyle Odoy followed with a grounder to 3B Demetri Connor. Demetri tried for a force at home, but his throw was wide, and two Vikings crossed the plate.

“I thought Jack (Fehlner) pitched great,” said Coach Rowe. “We made some mistakes in the inning they scored three runs.”

Sophomore Owen Tahnk pitched the last two innings for Newburyport.

Owen’s pitching probably won’t be remembered very much because it was during his two innings that Newburyport’s outfield trio put on their show.

In each of the catches, the outfielder had to dive forward to get the ball………and it worked for all three of them.

Plenty of sun and plenty of spectators.

“It was great weather, and we had a chance to play the game we love,” said Coach McCarthy.

Nick White: “Any time you can put up double-digit runs you’ve had a good hitting night. I think that our two pitchers (Jack Fehlner, Owen Tahnk) will be among the best in the league.”

Besides getting twelve hits, the Clippers took eight walks. Triton had only one walk.

Not counting today’s game, the last eight times these teams had met they had each won four times.

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

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Filed under Newburyport, Triton

Tagged as Brady Lindholm, Jack Fehlner, Jake Buontempo, Jax Budgell, Nick White, Ryan Archer

April 30, 2021 · 7:28 pm

Baseball is back

Newburyport’s Mark Rowe and Amesbury’s Joel Bierley meet pregame

(Newburyport MA) It’s been nearly two years for the Cape Ann League.

Today baseball resumed and I decided to catch a look.

Didn’t keep score because it was only a Friday afternoon scrimmage at Pettingell Field.

But it was high school baseball between familiar foes Amesbury and Newburyport.

The players were not in game shirts and the scoreboard was not being used. The atmosphere was relaxed.

The scrimmage was the first chance to get back doing something the participants, including the coaches, missed badly.

Baseball in April around here? You know the weather will be a factor! Today, we had cloudy (Will it rain?) mixed with sunshine (Is it June?). The wind didn’t disappoint. Gusty at times, causing outfielders to misjudge flies in right field. The Clippers, in fact, collected two runs on a wind-influenced single to right.

Without rosters I won’t attempt to put names to all the pictures. I am, however, planning to post the pictures from this blog entry onto my Instagram site (@mcclellandmiscellanea) and if I get identifications, I’ll edit them into captions on this entry. Give me some help, would ya!

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

Killian Cronin questions the call after being picked off second by Tony Lucci

Nick White and Jake Buontempo listen to Coach Mark Rowe between innings

Josh Sorgini and Cam Stanley in the Amesbury dugout

Jaken Harring takes the throw as Finn Sullivan steals second

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Filed under Amesbury, Newburyport

Tagged as Coach Mark Rowe, Drew MacDonald, Jack Fehlner, Jeremy Lopez, Kienan Hague

April 9, 2021 · 11:49 pm

Trevor Ward and Finn Sullivan shine in Newburyport’s 35-6 win over Pentucket

Trevor Ward (21) scored three times for Newburyport

Finn Sullivan had three TD passes and ran for a score

(Newburyport MA) Talk about filling the stat sheet!

Senior Trevor Ward rolled up numbers as the Clippers rolled over Pentucket, 35-6, on Friday night at Stehlin Stadium.

Trevor had a three-touchdown evening combined with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Quarterback Finn Sullivan had his best game for Newburyport. The junior threw three touchdown passes and ran for another one.

“They were better than us tonight,” said Pentucket coach Steve Hayden afterwards. “They were clearly more physical.”

The Sachems (0-3) lost two fumbles and had an interception in the first half and fell behind, 21-0. There was no coming back against Newburyport (3-2) on Senior Night.

“Their quarterback was outstanding, and their defense was tough,” explained Coach Hayden.

Newburyport had one turnover but never punted.

Pentucket struggled to stop Finn Sullivan running the quarterback option. Most of his successful QB options followed good fakes to either Trevor Ward or Jacob Buontempo.

“Shoutout to the line,” said Finn. “They made great holes. I couldn’t have done anything without them.”

No question the openings were there but it was the damage that Trevor and Finn did once they broke into the secondary that was noticeable. Both had great speed.

“That was the fastest I’ve ever seen him (Finn) run,” laughed Trevor post-game.

Trevor claimed that Finn was “throwing the ball on a dot,” while Finn claimed that “Trevor made me look good.”

It was that kind of night with plenty of happiness on the Newburyport side.

It was certainly a boost the Clippers needed after last week’s 33-6 loss to Ipswich.

“We had a tough loss last week, but we had a good week of practice this week,” said Finn. “Our goal is to win out.”

Dylan O’Rourke (22) had eleven carries for thirty yards

On the first touchdown, Trevor started left and then broke clear as he cut back into the middle.

On the second touchdown, Finn faked a handoff to Trevor and went clear up the middle.

Senior Andrew Goodwin kicked the extra point after both scores. Not surprising was that holder Trevor Ward righted a low snap to make the second kick possible.

Newburyport’s offensive line gave Finn plenty of protection. In the second quarter, that lengthy protection gave Finn time to go deep to junior Lucas Stallard for a 24-yard score.

Lucas was able to get behind defenders Ethan Ruszkowski and Joe Lynch.

Newburyport added a fourth TD in the third quarter. It looked like a harmless pass into the flat to Trevor, but his speed and shiftiness allowed him to score from nine yards out.

Pentucket used a trick play to get deep into Newburyport territory in the 3^rd quarter. Andrew Melone started one way but handed off to Adam Payne going the other way. The Clippers got caught chasing and Pentucket reached the Red Zone.

However, that promising drive ended with a Trevor Ward interception at the goal line.

“Trevor is great in man coverage,” said Newburyport coach Ben Smolski.

Trevor closed out the Newburyport scoring in the final quarter with a 15-yard touchdown catch.

“On that last touchdown, I figured that Trevor was there somewhere, and he was,” explained Finn Sullivan.

Pentucket’s Chase Dwight was able to get a four-yard, clock-running touchdown in the final two minutes to put the visitors on the board.

Beautiful weather. I was one of those back in the fall saying that football won’t work well in March and April because of the weather. Okay, I was wrong!

Coach Smolski: “I am happy with the way we played tonight.”

Trevor Ward: “We’re lucky to even be able to play. I’m enjoying it.”

All of the pictures above and below will enlarge significantly if you click on them.

Trevor (5 catches – 64 yards including 2 TDs) gets behind Will Sutton

Trevor Ward tries to escape from Joe Lynch

Nick Petty (80) set to tackle Chase Dwight (10 carries – 41 yards)

Finn Sullivan (12-for-18 passing for 127 yards) rolls right

Finn Sullivan (15 carries – 169 yards) finds a huge opening

Jacob Buontempo (10 carries – 38 yards) has many blockers

Lucas Stallard and Finn Sullivan pre-game

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Filed under Newburyport, Pentucket

Tagged as Chase Dwight, Finn Sullivan, Jacob Buontempo, Lucas Stallard, Nick Petty, Trevor Ward

April 7, 2021 · 10:49 pm

Newburyport edges Triton in back-and-forth thriller 3-2

Sydney Yim and Evelyn Pearson at the net

(Byfield MA) Triton coach Karen Christian said the game was “probably the highlight of the season,” and her team lost!

The Vikings (5-5) took Newburyport to five games on Wednesday night at Triton.

The Clippers (8-2) extend their win streak to seven. Their last loss was to Triton in March.

Newburyport won the first two games tonight, 25-19 and 25-15.

In those first two, Sydney Yim (Purdue commit) gave Triton trouble serving, setting, and finishing. Many of her finishes weren’t hard hits but, instead, dropped into open spaces.

I started thinking sweep and early evening.

The Vikings had other ideas.

“We flipped the switch in Games 3 & 4 and started making the plays we weren’t making before,” said Mia Berardino afterwards.

Suddenly the Vikings began to look like the team that had defeated the Clippers, 3-1, in March.

Triton took the next two games, 25-13 and 25-17.

The Vikings got off to good starts in both games and rode Newburyport errors to the two wins.

“We weren’t ourselves today,” said Newburyport coach Lori Solazzo post-match. “but player for player we’ve improve so much. My frustration is that I didn’t see the team I usually see most of the time.”

The level of play was remarkable at times. Hard hits were not definite winners.

Both teams had terrific setters (Molly Kimball and Sydney Yim) so there was a steady diet of hard hits provided.

There was a play in Game Four in which both Sydney Yim and Abigail Gillingham launched hard hits, only to have Triton find a way to play on and eventually get the point.

In three of the games, the team with the early lead went on to victory.

That held true in crucial Game Five. “We were overthinking it a bit early and we fell behind,” said Coach Christian.

The Vikings went down 6-1 and later 14-9. in the fifteen-point, deciding set, before turning on the “not-done-yet” button.

The Clippers struggled with four straight Evelyn Pearson serves and suddenly we had ourselves a 14-13 nail-biter!

A hard, deep hit by the Clippers was called in, and then it was called out, and then they decided to play it over again.

Fortunate for Triton because an “in” call ends the game. Fortunate for Newburyport because an “out” call ties the game at 14-14.

“Thank goodness that out-of-bounds play didn’t end it,” said Coach Solazzo afterwards.

Given a second chance to win the game, the Clippers got it done.

Newburyport seniors keyed the set/match winner. Kate Sarra received the serve and sent it to Sydney Yim. Sydney set the ball near the net for Abigail Gillingham. Abigail hit the ball through the Triton defense.

“Abigail had an amazing game,” said Sydney Yim. “She has been a huge part of our team this year.”

“The team buckled down at the end, showed some grit, and pulled this one out,” said Coach Solazzo.

“It certainly had the feel of a championship game to me,” said Coach Christian. “I would love to see them next week with the same energy.”

There will be a Cape Ann League tournament next week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

“Triton is a great team,” said Coach Solazzo. “They’re scrappy. They played their hearts out.”

Evelyn Pearson: “I’m proud of my team. We pulled our energy together. Newburyport was a lot more competitive than the first time we saw them.”

Mia Berardino: “It wasn’t the outcome we wanted but I’m proud of the way we played. I think if we play like this we can go far in the playoffs.”

The Clippers ended up undefeated (5-0) on the road.

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

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Filed under Newburyport, Triton, Uncategorized

Tagged as Abigail Gillingham, Evelyn Pearson, Mia Berardino, Sydney Yim

April 5, 2021 · 11:04 pm

Newburyport runs streak to six with 3-1 win versus North Reading

(Newburyport MA) Six straight wins for Newburyport.

Tonight it was a 3-1 win against North Reading on Senior Night.

“It wasn’t our best effort,” said Clippers coach Lori Solazzo afterwards, “but I’m very happy with the win.”

Newburyport (7-2) has a win against every team in the Cape Ann League except Triton.

A rematch between those two teams is scheduled for Wednesday at Triton.

“I’ll be pretty disappointed if we play like we did last time (3-1 loss) against them,” said Newburyport senior Kate Sarra post-match.

Tonight, the sets went; 25-20, 25-17, 21-25, and 25-12.

“We came out slow tonight,” said NR coach Mike Milone. “We weren’t clicking together very well and didn’t take advantage of their errors.” NR had won two straight.

In Game One, the Hornets (4-5) trailed the entire game but were close to the lead most of the way. It was 22-19 late but the Clippers wouldn’t give in. Sophomore Ava Hartley dropped shots in and served well.

Sydney Yim has been noticeably good in every game I’ve seen her play. No surprise that she’s in D1 Purdue’s plans in volleyball.

It’s not the big hits, although you see a few of them, it’s the steady diet of consistent play. Some of her setups were so good that you actually wanted to come out of the stands and take a whack at them!

Tonight Sydney had a good eye for open spaces on the North Reading side that were reached with soft shots.

In Game Two, the Hornets started strong (9-8 lead) but then the bottom fell out. With Kate Sarra serving, Newburyport pulled away, 17-10, and NR couldn’t recover. Sophomore Sophia Messina finished the match with a neat drop shot.

The third game was the most exciting. Things were tied at 8-8 before the Hornets, led by Sarah Gerber, gained separation, 21-10. Newburyport was down, but not out yet. The Clippers put seven straight points together and suddenly the NR lead was just 23-21. But the visitors hung tough and a nice hit by the Hornets Celia Standel was the game winner.

“We may have been too cocky in the third set,” said Kate Sarra. “We had won two sets and just fell apart at the start of the third one.”

Sydney Yim was key in the decisive 4^th game. She set up teammates, especially Abigail Gillingham, and put away shots herself. A 16-11 Clippers lead was 25-12 at the end.

“We played with them a while,” said Coach Milone. “We just weren’t able to keep it up. We should have been playing like a seasoned team, but we weren’t.”

“Our energy was good tonight,” said Abigail Gillingham afterwards. “When we got down in the 3^rd game, we picked it back up in the 4^th.”

“We got the win, but I thought North Reading was scrappier,” said Coach Solazzo.

Sydney Yim (21 assists), Ava Hartley (9 kills), Abigail Gillingham (7 kills), Laney Lucci (5 digs), and Kate Sarra (5 aces) led the Clippers.

Coach Milone: “Sarah Gerber was good tonight. Her blocking, hitting, and passing were solid.”

The regular Cape Ann League season ends this week. There will be a tournament next week although there has been nothing official on how many teams will be in the tournament. Lynnfield with one loss (to Newburyport) and Newburyport with two losses (Lynnfield & Triton) will certainly be playing in it.