DiPesa’s gem propels Sachems into quarterfinals

BILLERICA – Saugus baseball player Dom DiPesa entered this season as the team’s No. 1 pitcher, but waited until the big stage to showcase his ace potential. The junior right-hander allowed just one hit, while the No. 18 Sachems’ (9-13) offense and No. 2 Shawsheen’s defense (10 errors) provided plenty of support in an 11-0 win over the Rams in Billerica.”Dom has pitched some good games this season, but this had to be the best performance I have seen from him,” said coach Tom Gaeta. “It’s tournament time, so Dom being able to pitch like that on this stage is special. I couldn’t ask for anything more from him.”The Sachems advance to the quarterfinals of the MIAA Division 3 North Tournament, where they will play No. 7 Arlington Catholic today at 4 p.m.DiPesa finished the complete-game gem with just the one hit, which came in the sixth inning. He did allow six walks, but made up for it with nine strikeouts.Much like in Saugus’ preliminary game, the Sachems offense staked their starter to a quick lead in the opening frame. Dante DelTorto (2 hits) reached on a one-out single before Al Nahigian followed with a double.With two in scoring position, Shawsheen catcher Paul DePlacido attempted to pick off DelTorto at third, but his throw in the dirt skipped past third baseman Joe Sodergren, allowing DelTorto to score. Nick Enos brought in Nahigian with an RBI groundout to second.”The whole team is swinging the bat well; even if they’re not getting hits, they’re putting the ball in play and putting pressure on the defense,” said Gaeta. “It’s nice to get the lead early and allow our pitchers to pitch downhill instead of chasing the lead.”The Sachems scored one run in each of the next two innings, as Shawsheen committed four errors in the second and third. Staked to a 4-0 lead, DiPesa finally found trouble in the bottom of the third, but was able to escape any damage.After striking out the first two batters he faced, DiPesa walked three straight Rams, loading the bases for Sodergren. With a light rain falling, DiPesa induced the No. 3 hitter into a popup to Nahigian at first to end the inning.Saugus got two more in the fifth on back-to-back RBI sacrifice flies from Nick Enos (three total) and Tom Trainor.With the help of five Shawsheen errors, Saugus upped the lead to 11-0 in the sixth. Danny Groark (two hits) had a two-run single, while Enos brought in another with an RBI groundout to shortstop.The Rams broke up the no-no in the bottom of the sixth with two outs. After walking Sodergren, DiPesa yielded a sharp single over the head of right fielder Justin DeSantis, moving Sodergren to third. DiPesa fanned Joe Tower to end the inning.”My arm felt strong all game long,” said DiPesa. “My curveball was finally working and my location was on.”DiPesa also appreciated the help his offense provided.”They did a great job of putting runs up and giving me the support I needed,” he said.