Lynnfield boys baseball outlasts Ipswich in pitchers’ duel for first win of season

Lynnfield pitcher Pete Franchi silenced the Ipswich bats Thursday in a 1-0 win that also featured some seventh inning heroics by B.J. Neil.The visiting Pioneers led 1-0 going into the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs and a man on first base, Ipswich hit a line drive to left field that tipped off John Festa’s glove and rolled to the fence. Festa quickly retrieved the ball and fired it in to cutoff man B.J. Neil, who gunned down what would have been the tying run at the plate.Neil also came up big in the fifth inning when he doubled in what would be the game-winning run.Senior captain Franchi was on the money all afternoon, tossing a complete-game shutout (7 innings, 3 strikeouts, 3 hits, 2 walks, no runs). Franchi was backed up by some great defense by centerfielder Alex Vitum and Festa.”This was really a great high school baseball game,” Lynnfield coach John O’Brien said. Both teams pitched very well. My team’s defense was great today.”The Pioneers are 1-0.GIRLS LACROSSESwampscott 10, Salem 4At Salem, the Big Blue had four different players record a goal. Taylor Eaton, Jesse DePolo, Katie Zarinsky and Chole Dorgan all scored for Swampscott. Alexa Goldman, Catt Singley and DePolo had strong performances on the defensive side. Goalie Samantha Coogan played well in net for Swampscott. Swampscott is now 2-3.Peabody 17, Gloucester 6At Gloucester, Nicole Napolitano led the way for the Tanners (7 goals). Sarah Napolitano was more then just a sidekick (2 goals, 3 assists). Aly Bortone scored three goals of her own. Bianca Muscato added two goals and one assist for Peabody. Christine Feudo and Victoria Digiacomo led the way for the Tanner defense. Cheyenne Jackson had a strong game in net (14 saves). Peabody is now 3-1.BOYS LACROSSEBeverly 10, Swampscott 3At Beverly, Patrick Kennedy provided the bright spot for the Big Blue, scoring all three goals. Max Cohen (6 saves) was in net. Swampscott trailed 8-1 at the half and although the Big Blue stopped the bleeding in the second half, it was too late.Swampscott is 2-2.BOYS TRACKCardinal Spellman 96, Bishop Fenwick 39At Peabody, the undermanned Crusaders (1-1) had a rough outing but there were a few highlights. Shaun Farrell took first in the discus with a 114-6 (in the hail). He also took second in the shot put. Chris Poirier won the high hurdles (18.0) and sophomore Charlie Maistrellis took three second – in the long jump, 100 and 200.GIRLS TRACKCardinal Spellman 77, Bishop Fenwick 59At Peabody, Becky Mercuro won the long jump (14-61/2), Arianna Maida, the two-mile (12:14) and Jessica Patnaud, the 400 (66.8). Taylor Cunningham (2:36) and Hannah Smith (2:39) went one-two in the 800. Maida, Smith, Cunningham and Taylor Anderson won the 4 x 400 relay (4:37). Fenwick also won the 4 x 100 relay.