Sports 05-24-2018

WHS sports roundup

WHS baseball team qualifies for state tourney

The Winthrop High baseball team punched its ticket for a Journey to the Tourney with a pair of victories over Matignon in back-to-back games last week.

In the first contest at Matignon, the Vikings received a three-hitter from Dan Gillis to come away with a 4-2 victory. Dan allowed just one earned run and fanned six enemy batters in the complete-game effort in which his teammates played errorless ball behind him.

Dan O’Neil led the offense with two hits, two runs scored, and an RBI.  Teammates Jake Adamson and Ryan Buccini both had two hits and an RBI.

The rematch at Veteran’s Field proved to be a bit more dramatic.

Winthrop scored five runs in the fifth inning when a base hit by Gillis and two walks loaded the bases for Sid Albert, who cleared the sacks with a double.

After WHS catcher Miles Albert (who threw out two Matignon runners on the day) singled, moving Sid Albert to third, Colby Dassau delivered a two-RBI double.

However,  Matignon tied the game in the seventh, forcing the contest into extra innings and then eventually took the lead in the top of the 10th.

With a post-season spot on the line, Viking Angelo Robertson reached on an error and stole second.  Bob Hubert then came through with a base hit to bring in Robertson and tie the game.  After Bobby stole second on the first pitch,  O’Neil smacked a hard grounder between first and second that was deflected into short right,  allowing Hubert to come around and score the winning run for the walk-off victory, 7-6.

“To score two runs to win the game, while being down to our last out, was a great effort by the team,” said WHS coach Frank DeMarco.

Christian Natereno started and tossed eight strong innings for Winthrop, allowing three earned runs and seven hits, while striking out seven and walking only one opponent.

Gillis came on in relief for the final two frames, facing just eight batters, to record the victory.

“We were down in both games and came back to win them both,” noted DeMarco. “It has been a busy week and a long, cold season.  This group has been through a lot of adversity and continues to battle.  The team has played through a 10 and a 14-inning game, constant cold, rainy weather, and in one stretch we played five games in six days.

“We also overcame injury and roster issues, but through it all the team has remained tight,” added the veteran WHS mentor.

Winthrop has two games remaining in its regular season. The Vikings took on Saugus yesterday (Wednesday) and will host Essex Tech at 10:00 on Memorial Day morning before preparing for the tournament.

 

WHS boys tennis team reaches tourney

The Winthrop High boys tennis team won its last two matches of the season to achieve a .500 record and earn a berth in the post-season state tournament.

The Vikings punched their ticket for a Journey to the Tourney in their final match of the year, defeating Revere 5-0. Winthrop’s top player, Kevin Dorr, won his match at first singles in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.

“Kevin has been incredible for us this season,” said WHS head coach Marie Finn. “He made the jump from second doubles last year to first singles this season and has improved his game tremendously.”

Senior Henry Brooks won his match at second singles, defeating his Revere counterpart 6-2, 6-4. “Henry was a JV player last year and is another one who has stepped up his game. He’s seeing the entire court and getting the feel for how to attack his opponent,” said Finn.

Chris Finn, who has been a rock for Winthrop at third singles with an 11-3 record, won his match handily, 6-1, 6-0. “Chris is like a human backboard,” said the coach. “He has incredible determination that frustrates his opponents. He is super-competitive and doesn’t give up on any ball.”

Both of the Winthrop doubles pairings, Jake Langone & Sam Yarrow at first doubles and freshman Augie Cherico & Riling Bytyqi at second doubles, triumphed in straight sets.

By contrast, the victory over Lynn Classical two days earlier was of the dramatic variety. Finn at third singles and the tandem of Langone & Yarrow had provided Winthrop with two points, leaving the fate of Winthrop’s ongoing chances for the post-season on the rackets of the second-doubles duo of Cherico & Alessio Naio, which was the last match of the day to conclude.

With all eyes on them and all fingers of their teammates grasping the fence surrounding the court, the Viking duo battled to a 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 victory.

“Augie and Alessio did a great job in a pressure situation,” said Finn. “It was up to them to keep our tourney hopes alive and they came through for us.”

Finn and her crew now will await their seeding and first round pairing in the Division 3 North Sectional of the MIAA state tourney, which should be announced at the end of this week.

 

WHS softball team defeats Salem, 11-2

The Winthrop High softball team banged out 11 hits that produced a similar number of runs for an 11-2 victory over Salem this past week.

The Lady Vikings jumped out early, when Bella Perrotti beat out an infield single, Brooke Castin doubled, and Jess Martin reached on an error, scoring Perrotti.

Stephanie Strangie delivered an RBI base hit and a ground-out by Nelly Carter brought across another Winthrop tally.

Katie Gagnon kept the rally going with a single and Cali Peterson doubled home two more runs to leave the Lady Vikings with a 5-0 lead from which they never looked back.

Martin swatted a three-run homer in the fourth to add to the Lady Viking bulge.

Emma Carney started and went five innings, allowing just two hits and one run, though walking five and hitting two batters. Sofia Vitale tossed the remanning two frames and yielded one run.

Winthrop did not fare as well in a pair of contests earlier in the week against two of the better teams in the NEC, Medford and Everett, falling short by scores of 13-0 and 5-3.

In the Medford contest, the highlight for Winthrop was a 3-for-3 performance at the plate by Perrotti. In the Everett game, Martin had two hits, including a double, with teammates Perrotti, Strangie, Gagnon, Rachel Farley, and Izzy Mahoney all accounting for a hit apiece.

Carney pitched well against a strong-hitting Revere team, allowing only four hits and two earned runs.

Coach Dave Gufffey and his squad will host Pope John next Thursday at Cellucci Field at 6:00 and will entertain Greater Lowell for a doubleheader on Saturday, June 2.

 

WHS boys lacrosse qualifies for tourney

The Winthrop High boys lacrosse team punched their ticket for a Journey to the Tourney with a 7-2 triumph over Saugus last Thursday.

Coach Brian Donnelly noted that the Vikings received outstanding defensive efforts from John and Jack Silva and excellent goal tending from Drew DiMento.

Winthrop also posted another conference victory over a strong Malden team, 9-4.

“Juniors Pat Sennott and Luke Evanglista and sophomore Joe Mahoney continue to drive our offense,” said Donnelly, whose squad stood at 10-5 after that win and whose Vikings now have qualified for the state tourney for the fourth straight year.

 

Senior night for WHS girls lacrosse

The Winthrop High girls lacrosse team, which won its last two games in impressive fashion over Stoneham in home-and-home encounters by scores of 17-10 and 18-6, were set to travel to Hull today (Thursday) and will wrap up their regular season tomorrow (Friday) with a home contest with Matignon.

The season finale will be marked by Senior Night festivities. The opening draw is scheduled for 3:45.

Coach Ben Cimmino and his Lady Vikings then will await word of their seeding and first round opponent in the upcoming MIAA state tournament.

From the Press Box

Seven Games

By: Jim Lederman

The ‘Law Firm’ of Marcus and Marcus, led the Boston Celtics to a (2-0) lead in their opening round of the Eastern Conference Championship at the TD Garden.

Marcus Smart and Marcus Morris led the Boston Celtics to a (107-94) victory in game ‘number two’ at the Garden.

The tenacious defense combined with scoring (33) and rebounding was the key to a Celtics victory over ‘King LeBron and the Cavaliers.’

The Celtics need Marcus to be a ‘game changer’ and play defense to produce turnovers. The Celtics need Al Horford to rebound any play low post.

The play of Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown is the key to the Celtics winning the series.

Defense and Rebounding!

Go, Celtics!

Let the Games Begin!

 

Around the Track

The opening of the new track at Miller Field, a beautiful sunny day and a great crowd. Two former outstanding athletes form the 50’s – former athletic director – Jim Evans and coach Jack MacDonald enjoyed the competition.

The athletic director was in command during, what could be best described as “The Championship Years.” The ’70s and ’80s brought State Championships. Hockey, basketball, baseball and the ‘DeFelice Era’ – a 33-game unbeaten streak in football and two Super Bowl championships.

Jack was a basketball coach for over 35 years, and he told me he was second in the shot-put in the NEC.  Jack was an All-Yankee Conference end at the University of Rhode Island!

Go, Rams!

Let the Games Begin!

The Coach

Condolence to the Eruzione family on the loss of Nettie. She was a dedicated cheerleader ‘coach,’ and I always remember her dedicated work when the Viking Pride Foundation was formed.

Nettie was a fixture at Miller Field or Larsen Rink, cheering for family members. The saying, “It takes a village,” exemplifies citizens like Nettie to build the strong reputation of Winthrop Sports.

She will be missed. May she rest in peace.

 

 

Tourney Teams

The Vikings sports teams have had a very strong spring. The boys and girls lacrosse teams have qualified for the MIAA Playoffs.

Coach Marie Finns boys tennis squad qualified for the MIAA playoffs. Despite losing their number one player – junior Cory Cherico, with a shoulder separation in hockey, the senior players have stepped up.

The baseball team (4-16) has qualified for the MIAA Tourney!

Go, Vikings!

Let the Games Begin!

 

Extra Points

Congrats to coach Marie Finn and assistant coach Andrea Martucci and the Vikings boys tennis team, for qualifying for the MIAA Tourney. The boys defeated Medford and Lynn Classical for another tourney berth for the Vikings.

“Raise the Stix,” for the Jayvee girls lacrosse team and eighth-grader Mia Martucci. The future is bright for coach Ben Cimmino. Mia has scored 30-goals in just seven games.

 

 

Celtics vs. Cavaliers

I am still recovering from the spanking, or crushing, the Cavs put on our beloved Celtics. I am writing this column on Sunday morning (Editors Note: The Celtics lead the series (2-1) – next game on Monday night.

Can the Celtics win on the road? Will the series go six or seven games? Will the Memorial Day weekend be time to celebrate or mourn the ‘Green Team.”

The Celtics are unbeaten in the playoffs at home (as of Sunday, May 20). Two more games in Boston! Will Terry Rosier and Al Horford lead the Celtics to the ‘finals’?

The Garden crowd is worth 10-points says coach Max! Will the Celtics defense play like they did vs. Milwaukee and Philadelphia?

 

 

Behind the Plate

I recently spoke with my friend and former WHS quarterback Billy Shell, ‘The Red Sox have five players that could hit 25 home runs this season,” said Billy. “JD Martinez, Andrew Benintendi, Mookie Betts, Hanley Ramirez and Rafael Devers,” claimed Billy.

The Sox have the best record in baseball (as of Sunday, May 20 – 32 wins.) The Sox and Yankees will battle for first place in the AL-East. The Sox need home run production and strong pitching from David Price, Chris Sale and Rick Porcello to give ‘Red Sox Nation’ an exciting summer.

JD Ramirez reminds me of Hall of Famer Jim Rice in how he hits hard line drives to the opposite field. A power guy who can hit for average (.350 average on Sunday).

I will consult with coach John Domenico about the strength of the Red Sox!

Let the Games Begin!