McClelland Miscellanea

June 6, 2014 · 9:02 pm

Gloucester holds off North Andover 2-0 to gain D2 North finals

Jordan Pallazola scores an insurance run for Gloucester in the sixth inning

Reliever Pete Clark struck out Brendan Parisotto to end the game

(Lynn MA) Gloucester took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh, and survived a bases-loaded situation, to win a Division 2 North semifinals battle with North Andover on Friday afternoon.

The triumph by the Fishermen (20-2) sends them to the D2 North finals against Masconomet tomorrow (4PM) at Lelacheur Field in Lowell.

Senior Conor Harris picked up the win with one-batter relief help from Pete Clark.

The #1 seed Fishermen seemed to be in pretty good shape heading into the final inning the way starter Conor Harris was going. Gloucester had two runs and the GHS senior had given up only one hit through six innings.

But after one out in the seventh the Knights made things very interesting. Matt Iannone and Stephen Borzi singled before Conor Harris struck out pinch hitter Marc Patnaude to get the second out. Pinch hitter Christoffer Keane then walked to load the bases. At this point, Gloucester coach Bryan Lafata brought in Pete Clark (MVP Northeastern Conference) to face Brendan Parisotto. Pete got the strikeout to seal the deal for Gloucester.

Stephen Borzi flips to shortstop Matt Varoutsos

The Fishermen’s first run came in the second inning and was unearned. After Drew Shairs singled, a routine grounder to second baseman Stephen Borzi did not result in an out. Stephen tried to tag the baserunner (Drew Shairs) and missed and then threw late to first. Another grounder was hit Stephen Borzi’s way and this time he clicked with shortstop Matt Varoutsos on a force-out at second. The error part was Matt’s low throw to first baseman Collin Couillard that allowed Drew Shairs to cross with the first Gloucester run.

The NEC champs added insurance in the sixth inning. Jordan Pallazola beat out a slow roller to third and reached second on a fielder’s choice with two outs. Junior Bart Margiotta singled Jordan home.

Evan Glew allowed one earned run

Junior Evan Glew took the loss for North Andover (Merrimack Valley Conference) but gave up only one earned run and struck out five.

The Knights (12-11) were limited to three hits by Gloucester pitching. NA did have a runner in scoring position (Brendan Parisotto) in the third with two outs but Matt Varoutsos popped out to first to end the inning. In the fifth, the #12 seed had two on with one out but GHS starter Conor Harris struck out Austin Flinn and got a fly out from Brendan Parisotto to maintain the shutout.

Plenty of credit goes to the North Andover team for the recovery they made after being 5-9 at one point in the 2014 season. The Knights won seven of their last eight to reach the tournament and then upset two higher seeds (Winchester and Reading) to reach the D2 North semifinals.

Gloucester dominated the NEC (13-1) this season. They are in the MIAA tourney for the 11th straight season. The Fishermen defeated Belmont, 3-2, to reach the semifinals.

Jordan Pallazola was caught stealing on a fine throw to second by NA catcher Chris Bosco to shortstop Matt Varoutsos in the fourth inning

Ball gets away from NA first baseman Collin Couillard as Eric Chalmers touches first

Gloucester got a fortunate bounce in the fifth inning. With two NA runners on, catcher Jordan Pallazola tried to pick Brian Varoutsos off first. Jordan’s throw hit the baserunner diving back in and bounced directly into first baseman Drew Shairs hands. If that ball gets by, the NA runner on second might have scored.

Matt Iannone was hit twice by Gloucester pitcher Conor Harris.

Knights’ leftfielder Austin Flinn dove for freshman Eric Chalmers short fly and ended up needing medical attention.

A 2PM start on a school-day Friday drew a close-friends-and-family sized crowd. I suspect that both Masco and Gloucester will have many on hand for tomorrow’s Saturday afternoon matchup at Lalacheur Field.

Weather? Couldn’t have been better.

Fraser Field now has turf in the infield and from dugout to dugout in front the backstop. I like it.

Gloucester box

North Andover box

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

Conor Harris allowed three hits

Austin Flinn needs medical attention

final strike

Drew Shairs scores the first Gloucester run

Stephen Borzi tries to tag Drew Shairs

Jordan Pallazola flips his mask before making a catch

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Filed under Gloucester, North Andover

Tagged as Bart Margiotta, Conor Harris, Evan Glew, Jordan Pallazola, Pete Clark

June 3, 2014 · 8:57 pm

Pitcher/Hitter Rachel Cyr leads Amesbury past Notre Dame Academy 11-2 in D3 North quarterfinals

Rachel Cyr had nine strikeouts, four hits, and three RBI for Amesbury

Alexis Boswell scored three runs and drove in two runs

(Amesbury MA) Rachel Cyr struck out nine and drove in three runs leading Amesbury past Notre Dame Academy (Tyngsboro) 11-2 in the Division 3 North quarterfinals on Tuesday afternoon.

Next opponent for the Indians (16-6) will be Lowell Catholic on Thursday night (6:45PM) at Martin Field in Lowell.

This was a 2-2 game after 3 1/2 innings but Amesbury put up a six-spot in the fourth and the team from the Commonwealth Athletic Conference never recovered.

Rachel Cyr was extremely effective. The AHS senior threw strikes (no walks) and K’d nine of the Lancers. She also retired the last seven batters she faced to thwart any comeback plans NDA may have had.

The Indians jumped off to a 2-0 lead with single runs in the second and third. Rachel had a part in both runs. In the second, she singled to deep short and her pinchrunner (Liv Stolworthy) came in on Zoe Fitzgerald’s single to short left. In the third, after teammates Alexis Boswell and Autumn Kligerman reached, Rachel had an RBI single up the middle.

Kendall Liggett slides across with the first NDA run

The Lancers (12-11) rallied back to tie the score in the fourth inning. After Kendall Liggett singled, Regan Szekely doubled hard down the first baseline scoring Kendall. Breanna Richard ran for Regan. Tara Kelleher followed with a grounder that got between AHS first baseman Zoe Fitzgerald and second baseman Lauren Fedorchak allowing Breanna Richard to hustle home with the second NDA run.

Amesbury gained separation in their half of the fourth inning. The Indians put seven hits together to collect six runs in an inning extended by a 2-out drop by centerfielder Mary Grace Handy. Amesbury sent ten batters to the plate.

trouble in the outfield

In the sixth inning the Indians added three runs. Rachel Cyr had her third RBI and teammate Alexis Boswell scored her third run of the game. This inning was also extended for Amesbury by another drop in centerfield.

Clare Handy paced NDA with two hits.

For Amesbury, Rachel Cyr had four hits while Alexis Boswell had three hits. Alexis also had two RBI.

NDA rightfielder Loren Sullivan made a nice running catch in the third inning.

Alexis Boswell chased Regan Szekely’s double into some Wrigley Field vegetation in foul territory in the NDA fourth inning.

Second baseman Lauren Fedorchak made a terrific running catch in foul territory of a popup in the third inning.

Amanda Schell

Meg Aponas and Amanda Schell hit long foul balls to left.

Last home game for Rachel Cyr, Alexis Boswell, Lucy Scholz, and Amanda Schell.

NDA was 13-7 last season.

The Lancers had two close games with Rockport this season.

Amesbury and St. Mary’s of Lynn are just a win away from facing each other in the D3 North finals. The Spartans defeated the Indians 4-1 in a game this season at Amesbury.

Amesbury box

Notre Dame Academy box

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

Deanna Desmond ready to tag out Meg Aponas

Alexis Boswell tracks down a double

close play

Regan Szekely

shortstop Kaycie Pereira

Lauren Fedorchak runs down a foul popup

Allie Wilson

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Notre Dame Academy (Tyngsboro)

Tagged as Alexis Boswell, Amanda Schell, Clare Handy, Kendall Liggett, Rachel Cyr

June 2, 2014 · 10:26 pm

Pentucket’s Ryan Kuchar 2-hits Lynnfield in 3-1 Division 3 North quarterfinals win

Ryan Kuchar and Bobby Barry celebrate the win over Lynnfield

Ryan Kuchar pitched a 2-hit, complete game for the Sachems

(Lynnfield MA) Ryan Kuchar pitched a complete game, 2-hitter as Pentucket defeated Lynnfield, 3-1, in the Division 3 North quarterfinals on Monday afternoon at sunny Lynnfield.

The Sachems (15-8) now move to the semifinals on Wednesday afternoon (4PM) at Fraser Field (Lynn) against another Cape Ann League opponent, Hamilton-Wenham. Pentucket and HW split 2-1 games during the regular season.

Both Lynnfield hits (Greg Basilesco and Nick Pascucci) were in the third inning when the Pioneers (15-7) picked up their run.

Pentucket ended up with seven hits and had runners in scoring position in the first, second, and fourth innings but Lynnfield pitcher Dave Johnson escaped each time.

The escaping ended in the 5th and 6th innings as the Sachems collected two tarnished runs in one inning and an untarnished insurance run in the other inning.

Ryan Kuchar was the big story as he kept Lynnfield from getting anything going on offense except in the third inning.

Greg Basilesco scored for Lynnfield

In that third inning, Greg Basilesco singled to right and reached third base after two straight fielders’ choices. Nick Pascucci’s bloop single to short center earned him the RBI.

Down 1-0, Pentucket had a great chance in the fourth inning. John Sirois’ single was followed by a Greg Basilesco (3B) error on a grounder. A fielder’s choice moved the runners to second and third with one out. But pitcher Dave Johnson retired Bobby Hallowell and Kiernan Haley and the Pioneers still had their 1-0 lead.

The top of the fifth turned out to be the game-decider. Pat Beaton led off with a double to left. It is not usually a good idea to try for third when a grounder is hit to the shortstop………but Pat tried it and got away with it because third baseman Greg Basilesco dropped the throw from shortstop Jordan Roper. Lynnfield then tried to turn two on DJ Englke’s grounder to third but could only get the force at second. Pat Beaton scored on the play to tie the game. Still only one out. Ryan Kuchar singled getting DJ to second. The Sachems then pulled a double steal on a pitch in the dirt that catcher Traverse Briana had no chance to do anything with. The next play will be a bad memory for the Lynnfield faithful for a long time. John Sirois hit a grounder to short with two outs. From where I was standing, shortstop Jordan Roper didn’t handle the ball cleanly, and then threw high to first. It looked as if first baseman Spencer Balian came off the base reaching up for the throw and that was why John Sirois was safe. Not so according to the infield umpire. I heard him tell LHS coach John O’Brien that the runner had beaten the throw anyhow. The play was huge because if John is out the inning is over. If he’s safe, which was the ruling, the Sachems have a second run.

Bobby Hallowell in with the third Pentucket run

Nothing controversial about the Sachems third run. Bobby Hallowell tripled to right in the sixth inning and was driven home by Pat Beaton’s two-out bouncer up the middle.

Lynnfield had some two-out excitement in the seventh when Spencer Balian reached on a bad-bounce error by third baseman Bobby Barry. Greg Basilesco next hit a grounder at shortstop Pat Beaton that also took a bad bounce but the PHS shortstop reacted quickly and got an assist on the final out of the game.

Weather? When you can have sun, a little breeze, and no bugs you can’t ask for much more.

Good setting at Lynnfield to watch a game. They have a gradual hill behind the backstop.

DJ Englke tagged out by catcher Traverse Briana on a failed suicide squeeze attempt

Pentucket made an unsuccessful attempt at a suicide squeeze in the fifth inning.

Ryan Kuchar pitched a no-hitter a month ago against Rockport.

Many of my pictures have construction vehicles in the background. A number of new playing fields are getting constructed.

North Reading coach Frank Carey was part of the crowd. His Hornets are still alive in D3 North.

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

Ball gets past 3B Greg Basilesco

Ryan Battaglia stretches out on a shot to right

Bobby Hallowell tries for third

Pat Beaton

Shortstop Pat Beaton throws to first for the final out

Dave Johnson

Jordan Roper

Kiernan Haley handles a grounder

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Filed under Cape Ann League, Lynnfield, Pentucket

Tagged as Bobby Barry, Bobby Hallowell, Dave Johnson, DJ Englke, Jordan Roper, Pat Beaton, Ryan Kuchar

June 1, 2014 · 5:58 pm

Amesbury routs Weston 17-1 in D3 North First Round

Weston errors proved very costly against Amesbury

Pitcher Rachel Cyr allowed only two hits

(Amesbury MA) Amesbury overwhelmed Weston, 17-1, in Division 3 North first round action Sunday afternoon at Amesbury.

The mercy rule kicked in after the Wildcats batted in the top of the fifth inning.

With the win, Amesbury moves ahead to the quarterfinals on Tuesday afternoon (4PM) hosting Notre Dame of Tyngsboro.

Weston (9-12) rolled up twenty-five runs in their preliminary round victory against New Mission two day ago. Nothing like that happened today, however, against Rachel Cyr as the AHS senior limited the Wildcats to two hits (Gene Miller) and one unearned run.

Because the game was shortened, the Indians (15-6) had only four innings of at-bats and they made the most of them. There were seventeen Amesbury hits with everyone in the starting lineup getting at least one. The only extra base hits were by Lauren Fedorchak (triple) and Amanda Schell (double).

Alexis Boswell caught between Naomi Siverstein (#17) and Marie McMann

Anyone at this game asked to explain it won’t be starting with Weston’s lack of hitting or Amesbury’s ability to hit. They would probably start with the very shaky Weston defense. The Wildcats committed eight errors, by my count, including four in the first inning when Amesbury put up seven runs.

For some reason, both good defense or bad defense can be contagious. In this case, the inability to make plays in the field enveloped the visitors from the Dual County League. And Amesbury just aggravated the situation by putting ball after ball in play for four innings.

What looked like minor damage by Amesbury in the first inning (two runs), due to two fielding miscues (Gene Miller and Katie Valle), became major damage (seven runs) when two more errors (Katie Valle and Naomi Silverstein) followed before the end of the inning.

Amanda Schell steals second base

The Indians added four runs in the second, two in the third, and four more in the fourth. AHS coach Chris Perry had all of his reserves in action before this one ended. Sophomore Megan Reid came off the bench to single in the fourth inning.

Amanda Schell and Alexis Boswell led the way for Amesbury with three hits apiece. Lucy Scholz, Zoe Fitzgerald, and Lauren Fedorchak each had two hits for the Indians.

The Wildcats collected their lone run in the fourth inning. Alison Heilbronner’s bunt was thrown away by 3B Autumn Kligerman allowing Alison to get second. A wild pitch moved Alison to third and from there she was singled home by Gene Miller.

Weather? The only concern might have been from a possible sunburn!

Maddie Piccione

Sophomore Maddie Piccione took the loss for Weston. The less said about the support behind her the better.

Rachel Cyr will be going to Salem State next year to play softball.

Cape Ann League softball Player-of-the-Year (Amanda Schell) will attending Ithaca (NY) to play field hockey for the D3 Bombers next year. I wonder if the softball coach knows about her?

Amesbury had a nice speaker system in place for the game and we heard the National Anthem as well as batter identifications. The scoreboard was also used.

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

Talia Cramer gets treatment

Lauren Fedorchak tripled in the third inning

Alison Heilbronner nears home

Skyla Lynch

Kasie Wrean eyes a popup

Lucy Scholz scored two runs

Catcher Amanda Schell settles under the game-ending popup

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Filed under Amesbury, Weston

Tagged as Amanda Schell, Gene Miller, Lauren Fedorchak, Lucy Scholz, Maddie Piccione, Rachel Cyr

May 31, 2014 · 8:07 pm

Dan Manning leads Georgetown to 7-3 Division 4 North quarterfinals win over Matignon

Dan Manning had a huge part in the Georgetown win over Matignon

Duncan Hough tags out Brian Raimo for the final out of the game

(Georgetown MA) Georgetown defeated #11 seed Matignon, 7-3, in a Division 4 North quarterfinals matchup on sunny Saturday afternoon.

The win puts the #3 seed Royals (14-7) into the D4 North semifinals for the second straight season. This time around they’ll face #2 seed Boston International next Wednesday.

Senior Dan Manning had a big day for the Royals scoring twice, getting three hits, stealing two bases, and driving in two runs. The Georgetown catcher also gunned out two Warriors attempting to steal.

In defeating the Warriors (6-14), the home team took liberties on the base paths (two double steals) and advantage of Matignon wildness (four hit batsmen).

Georgetown had nine hits and bunched eight of their hits into the first three innings and took a 4-1 lead.

Winning pitcher Pat Slack

The Warriors totaled eight hits and had hits in six innings and left baserunners in each of those innings. Georgetown starter Pat Slack (5 2/3 innings) allowed only two runs.

One of the baserunners gunned down by Dan Manning was JT Nichols in the first inning. The inning started with Nick Valdario walking and JT reaching on 3B Kyle Nelson’s error. Brian Raimo’s sacrifice fly got Nick to third. That was when JT tried to steal and didn’t make it. Cam Monagle followed with an RBI double to the fence in left.

Georgetown got that run back in the bottom of the first inning. Two batters (Ben Noelk and Kyle Nelson) were hit by pitches and both moved into scoring position thanks to a well-executed double steal. Pat Slack’s single to left brought Ben home to tie the score. Matignon starter Jimmy DeAngelo limited the damage to one run by retiring Ryan Slack and Chris Chiklakis to end the inning.

The Royals took the lead for good with a run in the second. Dan Manning singled to deep short and then stole second and third. Kevin Terban’s hot shot over the third base bag scored Dan.

Georgetown picked up two more runs in the third. Pat Slack, after nearly being doubled off first on his brother Ryan’s line drive to second baseman JT Nichols, was driven home on Chris Chiklakis’ shot to the fence in left. When Chris tried to steal third the throw from catcher Kevin Olsen went past third allowing Chris to cross with the Royals fourth run.

Tyler Hanlon reaches third

Matignon (Catholic Central League) cut into their 4-1 deficit with a run in the fourth. Tyler Hanlon singled to deep short and came all the way around on a double by Kevin Olsen to center. CF Mike Goddu dove after Kevin’s long shot and just missed getting it.

Georgetown collected three runs worth of insurance in the 5th inning. The first two Royals (Ryan Slack and Chris Chiklakis) reached and executed the team’s second double steal. Later LF Tyler Hanlon rushed in on Dan Manning’s sinking line drive and had the ball one-hop off of him allowing both G’Town runners to get home. Jared Fernandes came on to relieve Jimmy DeAngelo at this point. A single (Mike Goddu) and a sacrifice fly (Colby Ingraham) produced Georgetown’s seventh and final run.

Matignon put a run on the board against the relief combo (Alex Bornholdt and Duncan Hough) in the final inning. JT Nichols’ fielders choice tallied Jared Fernandes.

The ball gets past a diving Tyler Hanlon (above his foot) in the 5th inning

Weather? After getting caught in the rain at Tewksbury yesterday I was leery of the clouds I saw today but the sun dominated the quick (less than two hours) game.

Mike McPherson hit into the rare 9-6 force out when Georgetown rightfielder Ben Noelk dropped a routine fly in the sixth inning but recovered to force Cam Monagle at second.

Georgetown third baseman Kyle Nelson chased a foul ball out of my sight into the crowd in the Matignon seventh. It sounded as if Kyle introduced himself to a lawn chair but he quickly returned to the playing field.

Jared Fernandes and Cam Monagle paced Matignon with two hits each.

Mike Goddu and Pat Slack had two hits for Georgetown.

Georgetown boxscore

Matignon boxscore

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

JT Nichols steals second

Colby Ingraham

Ben Noelk heads home with the first Georgetown run

Kyle Nelson ventures into the crowd

Pat Slack tries to get back to first

Kevin Terban waits to tag out Mike McPherson

Cam Monagle (#24) gets an unassisted out

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Filed under Georgetown, Matignon

Tagged as Chris Chiklakis, Dan Manning, Pat Slack

May 30, 2014 · 9:41 pm

Shannon McLaughlin and Brooke Hardy lead Tewksbury to 6-0 win over Newburyport in D2 North First Round

Shannon McLaughlin (one hitter with eleven strikeouts)

Brooke Hardy (three hits,three runs, one RBI)

(Tewksbury MA) Shannon McLaughlin allowed just one hit and struck out eleven as Tewksbury defeated Newburyport, 6-0, on a cloudy/rainy Friday afternoon in the first round of the Division 2 North softball tournament.

Tewksbury (15-6) had eleven hits and at least four very loud outs. The biggest Redmen hit was a two-run homer by junior Anna Sessa in the sixth inning that gave Tewksbury its final two runs.

Senior Brooke Hardy also had a big part in the Redmen attack. Brooke singled three times, stole two bases, scored three times, and had an RBI. She has a scholarship to D1 Jacksonville next year.

Shannon McLaughlin (committed to St. Anselm’s) dominated the Clippers (11-10) in the first three innings getting seven strikeouts. Newburyport got its first baserunner with two outs in the third inning when Stephanie Gleason was hit by a pitch.

Tewksbury built up a 3-0 lead in those first three innings.

Brooke Hardy steals second as Morgan Johnston waits for the throw

In the first inning, Erin Walsh hustled a single to center into a double and came home on Brooke Hardy’s grounder up the middle. Brooke stole second and reached third on a passed ball (Shelby O’Brien) and came home on Adrianna Favreau’s single up the middle.

In the third inning, Brooke Hardy beat out a grounder to second baseman (Molly Kelley). When Molly’s throw toward first was wild Brooke reached second. Shannon McLaughlin’s single into right center brought in Brooke with the Redmen’s third run.

Newburyport had a baserunner in both the fourth and fifth innings. Carley Siemasko reached in the 4th on a drop by centerfielder Marissa Doherty while Vicki Allman walked in the 5th.

Teagan Trant (3 hits) scored on the Anna Sessa two-run homer

Tewksbury doubled their lead in the fifth inning. Brooke Hardy singled and stole second with no outs. Two very hard outs followed: sharp grounder by Shannon McLaughlin to shortstop Morgan Johnston and a rope to centerfielder Ashley Hodge. Teagan Trant kept the inning going with a single to right that scored Brooke. Anna Sessa followed with an inside-the-park homer that went over leftfielder Amy Sullivan to the fence. Teagan was running with two outs and scored easily. The Clippers had the ball back in the infield as Anna finished circling the bases.

That 6-0 lead after five innings looked pretty safe the way Shannon McLaughlin was pitching. The big question was whether the Clippers could get a hit off of her. Ashley Hodge took care of that in the top of the sixth flairing a single down the rightfield line. Amy Sullivan bunted Ashley to second but Shannon McLaughlin ended the inning getting two infield popups.

Amy Sullivan runs off with teammates after two catches in the sixth inning

Senior Amy Sullivan made two terrific running/sliding catches in left field in the seventh inning.

In some pretty serious rain, Newburyport put two runners on to start their final at-bats. Meg Stanton walked and Morgan Johnston was hit by a pitch. But three infield outs followed and Tewksbury moves on.

The Redman will face Arlington at Arlington on Sunday afternoon (1PM).

Newburyport, with two seniors (Vicki Allman and Amy Sullivan), will have plenty of experienced players returning for the 2015 season.

Shelby OBrien takes a cut

Tewksbury never recorded an outfield putout in this game.

Teagan Trant had three hits, scored a run, and had an RBI for Tewksbury.

Newburyport High School had its senior prom last night.

Special thanks from me to the wife of Tewksbury coach Leo DiRocco. The rain that started midway through the game had me wishing I had brought an umbrella. Mrs. DiRocco offered me one of several she had in her car.

Anna Sessa (2-run homer)

This is the second time I’ve ever seen Tewksbury play. Last time? Division 2 North finals at UMass Lowell last year when they lost 6-5 to Burlington. Key to that Burlington win was keeping Brooke Hardy off the bases. The Clippers weren’t as fortunate!

We all know that umpires make mistakes. It’s always nice to know that they can admit it and change a call. That change happened when a Tewksbury runner had been ruled safe on a play that was a force-out. It did get straightened out.

Tewksbury is in the Merrimack Valley Conference. Newburyport is from the Cape Ann League.

Tewksbury box

Newburyport box

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

ball drops into the Tewksbury outfield

Brooke Hardy

Molly Kelley takes a throw at second

Pitcher Vicki Allman throws to first baseman Carley Siemasko

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Filed under Newburyport, Tewksbury

Tagged as Amy Sullivan, Anna Sessa, Ashley Hodge, Brooke Hardy, Shannon McLaughlin, Teagan Trant

May 29, 2014 · 7:08 pm

Top Red Sox prospects litter Portland Sea Dogs roster

Mookie Betts and Deven Marrero

catcher Blake Swihart and pitcher Henry Owens

(Portland ME) Do you want to see the top Red Sox prospects? Portland, Maine should be your destination real soon.

The Portland Sea Dogs’ roster (according to MLB.com Prospect Watch) currently has three of the top five Red Sox prospects (Henry Owens, Blake Swihart, and Mookie Betts) as well as #13 Deven Marrero. Highly regarded Sean Coyle is also on the team along with recently arrived Bo Greenwell (Yes, Mike is his father.).

I was at Hadlock Field this morning/afternoon as the Sea Dogs pushed their won/loss record to 35-18 with a 2-1 win over the New Britain Rock Cats.

The Thursday weather for the 11AM start was downright awesome: sunny but not too hot.

Hoping to see some of the six prospects, I was blessed into a game in which all six took part. You talk about photo ops!

Henry Owens

#1 prospect Henry Owens was very impressive. The tall lefty went seven innings facing only twenty-five batters. Henry allowed three hits and kept the Rock Cats from making solid contact most of the time.

This was the first time I have seen #3 prospect Blake Swihart catch. Henry’s control gave Blake an easy-to-handle game.

I came to this game suspecting that it might be a last chance to see Mookie Betts (#5 prospect) in action. I am envisioning Pawtucket in his June future. The Sea Dogs centerfielder had a rare game for him………never got on base.

The best play I saw today? Easily it was what shortstop Deven Marrero did with Kennys Vargas’ grounder up the middle. It would have been a terrific play if Deven had just stopped the ball but he added to it by getting off the ground and getting the out at first. Granted, Kennys Vargas (6’5 – 275 pounds) appears to have David Ortiz-like speed, but the play was remarkable nonetheless. I have read in several places that Deven’s glove is major-league ready. Today I confirmed the fact for myself visually.

This young fan toasted Slugger

Mascot Slugger added to his losing streak as yet another young fan got the best of him circling the bases. This race should be under review because the young fan started halfway up the first baseline. This unfair start put Slugger way behind early and he just didn’t have the closing kick needed to win the race. Of course the way I saw it, the young fan should have been disqualified. I am starting to think these races may be fixed.

Plenty of Maine school kids in the house. There were some educational activities before the game and fun activities during the game. The Portland Sea Dogs management aims to please the attendees and again today they hit the target.

Thanks to Assistant GM Chris Cameron for arranging my visit.

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

Deven Marrero dives back to first

Tony Thomas (former Sea Dog)

Sean Coyle

Mookie Betts signs

Henry Owens

Deven Marrero

Mookie Betts pregame

Blake Swihart

Deven Marrero

Blake Swihart

Nick Kvasnicka

Bo Greenwell

Deven Marrero steals second

pregame rocket launch

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Filed under New Britain Rock Cats, Portland Sea Dogs

Tagged as Blake Swihart, Bo Greenwell, Deven Marrero, Henry Owens, Mookie Betts, New Britain Rock Cats, Portland Sea Dogs, Sean Coyle

May 28, 2014 · 4:33 pm

2014 Cape Ann League All-Star softball team (pictures)

Alexi Boswell

Rachel Cyr

Autumn Kligerman

Jen Nutter

Maddy Crateau

Meredith Kercher

Hannah Travers (#20)

Paige Zeval

Julianna Kostas

Alex Mendelsohn

Kylie Currier

Vicki Allman

Ashley Hodge

Catcher Sophia Warner

Kassidy Kennefick

Maddie Binding

Kayla Parisi

Mara Spears

(Annika Han, Melanie Carter, and Jackilyn Murphy also made the team.)

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Georgetown, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Masconomet, Newburyport, Pentucket, Triton

Tagged as Alex Mendelsohn, Alexis Boswell, Annika Han, Ashley Hodge, Autumn Kligerman, Hannah Travers, Jackilyn Murphy, Jen Nutter, Julianna Kostas, Kaddisdy Kennefick, Kayla Parisi, Kylie Currier, Maddie Binding, Maddy Crateau, Mara Spears, Melanie Carter, Meredith Kercher, Paige Zavel, Rachel Cyr, Sophia Warren, Vicki Allman

May 28, 2014 · 1:09 pm

2014 Cape Ann League All-League softball team (pictures)

Amanda Schell (Player-of-the-Year)

Emily Dow (Player-of-the-Year)

Carolyn Lynch

Shortstop Rachel Gallagher

Maddie Kelly

Carley Siemasko

Cassidy Gaeta

Jen Castro and Tarah Reilly

Tyler Feeney

Hannah Lorden

Jess Collins

Kylie Gilroy

(Jackie Whelan of Lynnfield also made the CAL 2014 All-League team.)

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Masconomet, Newburyport, North Reading, Pentucket, Rockport, Triton

Tagged as Amanda Schell, Carley Siemasko, Carolyn Lynch, Cassidy Gaeta, Emily Dow, Hannah Lorden, Jackie Whelan, Jen Castro, Jess Collins, Kylie Gilroy, Maddie Kelly, Rachel Gallagher, Tara Reilly, Tyler Feeney

May 21, 2014 · 10:21 pm

Masco gets two in the bottom of the 7th to defeat North Reading 7-6

Jordan Murray about to score the winning run on a wild pitch

Jordyn Murray about to score the winning run on a wild pitch

Tayla Murray slides across with the tying run in the 7th inning

(Topsfield MA) For 2 1/2 innings Masconomet looked like anything but a softball team on a twelve game winning streak.

The rest of the way? The Division 1 Chieftains (17-2) overcame a five-run deficit and overtook Division 2 North Reading, 7-6, with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on a sunny Wednesday afternoon.

The Hornets (14-5) carried a 6-5 lead into the top of the seventh inning and were in an excellent position to pad their lead as they loaded the bases with one out. But Masco’s complete game winner, Emily Dow, struck out Emma Santosuosso and got Bryanne Riley to fly out keeping NR off the scoreboard.

Masconomet celebration begins

Now Masco needed a run to tie and another run to win. They got both. Emily Dow hit a two-strike single on the ground up the middle. Tayla Murray ran for her. Jordyn doubled sending her sister to third with one out. Second baseman Carly Swartz opted to come home with Kylie Currier’s grounder but Tayla Murray slid home safely to tie the score. Her sister (Jordyn) reached third on the play. A fly to center wasn’t deep enough so Jordan held at third with two out. Jordyn did get home standing up on a Kendra Butner pitch in the dirt, that eluded NR catcher Sophia Warner, to give the Chieftains the win.

The victory gives Masco the Cape Ann League Kinney Division title.

Catcher Sophia Warner waits for the throw as Sarah Webster prepares to slide in with the first Masco run

I came away impressed with the Chieftains’ hitting. They collected thirteen hits and everyone in the lineup had at least one of those hits. Eight of the hits came in the final three innings.

Junior Sophia Warren was a perfect four-for-four. She also scored a run and had an RBI for North Reading.

Kendra Butner launched a no-doubter over the fence in left in the NR fourth.

The Hornets did get five runs in the first three innings but they also stranded five runners. Once the Masco bats came to life those stranded NR runners became very important.

Julianna Kostas paced Masco with two RBI. Maddie Kelly, Alex Mendelsohn, Emily Dow, and Kylie Currier had one RBI apiece.

North Reading captains Jen Castro and Tarah Reilly

Cassidy Gaetta, Tarah Reilly, Sophia Warren, and Kendra Butner had the RBI for North Reading.

Errors by shortstop Casey Maidment (fielding) and rightfielder Jordyn Murray (throwing) gave NR two unearned runs in the first inning.

The last Masco loss? 6-5 in nine innings at North Reading. The Hornets scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to send that April game into extra innings.

The other Masco loss? 4-1 to Newburyport in the season opener.

This was the fourth one-run loss for North Reading in the Cape Ann League. The other one-run winners? Amesbury, Lynnfield, and Pentucket

A young Masco fan was hit by a hot grounder. Two North Reading players were quick to bring ice packs. Somewhere they learned that there is more to life than softball.

Emily Dow

Emily Dow played the National Anthem with her trumpet.

A key to the Masco win was limiting 2013 CAL All-League Tarah Reilly to just one hit. As shortstop, Tarah made a sure-handed play to end the sixth inning preserving NR’s one-run lead.

Maddie Kelly (2013 CAL All-Star) had a double, triple and scored a run.

Weather? Perfect with plenty of sunshine.

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