School: Lynnfield baseball heading back to state tournament

After missing the state tournament a year ago, the Lynnfield baseball team looked to be on the brink of missing out on the postseason for a second straight year two weeks ago when they were 5-9 and struggling.But the Pioneers found their best game at the perfect time and were able to clinch a tournament berth with a 13-3 win in the semis of the Brendan Grant Memorial Tournament in Belmont.”I am happy and proud for the kids,” Lynnfield coach John O’Brien said. “We’ve seen things come together well the last half dozen games.”It was a team effort in every sense for the Pioneers (10-9) on Friday as almost every player in the lineup had a hit while Dylan Costa allowed one earned run and struck out five in a complete game win.Mike Peschione, Dante Padovani, Pete Franchi and Sam Oliveri all had two hits and two RBI. Franchi had a homer in his two hit day.Lynnfield will play host Belmont today in the finals.Swampscott 8, Melrose 7At Swampscott, Sean O’Brien and Matt Barbuzzi each hit RBI singles in the bottom of the sixth to put the Big Blue (6-14) on top for good in Swampscott’s regular season finale.O’Brien was 3-for-4 and won the game on the mound in relief. He allowed three runs over the final five innings.Melrose jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first, but Tom Keenan came on in relief and ended the inning with the help of a big double play.Swampscott came back with two runs in the second and four in the fourth to take the lead, but Melrose tied the game in the fifth inning.Alex Patkin had three hits, scored two runs and drove in two more, while Justin Massey went 1-for-3.The Big Blue had already qualified for the tournament with a record of 4-2 against Div. 3 foes and will await the announcement of its post-season pairing on Tuesday.Saugus 22, Pope John 1At Everett, the Sachems (6-14) clinched a tournament berth via a 4-4 record versus Division 3 teams with the win. Senior John Moore made his final regular season game a memorable one by hitting for the cycle.Dan Groark went four innings allowing two hits and striking out five to get the win.Beverly 8, Revere 1At Revere, junior lefthander Pat Wilson picked up his first win of the year with a complete game five-hitter. Wilson struck out nine and walked just two. Revere scored its run in the bottom of the sixth.Offensively for the Panthers (11-8), Mitch Hamor had three hits, while Felix Zamot and Austin Butler each had a pair of hits and a pair of RBI. Andy Brown also chipped in with two hits.BOYS TENNISAustin Prep 5, St. Mary’s 0At GE Field in Lynn, the Spartans (9-9) didn’t pick up a win but had several solid performances in the loss. Anthony Capobianco-Rob Goggin won the first set 6-4 before dropping the next two in the second doubles match.Conor Jansen and Tom Mackey also played well in second and third singles.Winthrop 3, Danvers 2At Danvers, the Falcons (11-9) got wins at first singles from Gabe Ochonski (6-0, 6-3) and second doubles from Kevin McManus-Mike DeSantis (3-6, 6-1, 6-3).