Roundup: Freker guides Saugus to win in CAL opener

The Saugus High baseball team experienced a couple of firsts Saturday. The Sachems picked up their first victory under new coach Steve Freker in their first game as a member of the Cape Ann League?s Kinney Division, knocking off Pentucket, 3-1.Sophomore Kyle Autilio struck out six and scattered four hits to lead Saugus. Saugus grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third, then junior Dan Cacciola created separation when he delivered a game-winning two-run single in the fourth.Freker previously coached at Malden Catholic through 2012, where he guided the Lancers to a 2003 State title; and at Malden.Masconomet 15, Beverly 1At Beverly, reigning Division 2 North Sectional champion Masco ruined the Panthers? season opener and their homecoming to an on-campus facility for the first time in six years. The Chieftains scored six runs in the top of the first. Kevin Cuneo, Anthony Morrissey and Sean Curtin had the Panthers? hits.?We played very poorly against a very good team. They hit the ball, they had good pitching and defeated us soundly. We?re inexperienced but we?re capable of better,” said Beverly coach Dave Wilbur.BOYS LACROSSESwampscott 9, Gloucester 4At Gloucester, the Big Blue scored six unanswered goals spanning the second and third periods and played excellent team defense. Alex Balleza, Jason Dignan and Devin Conroy scored two goals each for the Big Blue, who led at the half, 4-3. Griffin Hunt, Noah Maercklein and Ryan McDermott also scored.N. Andover 14, Peabody 6At North Andover, the Tanners trailed throughout as they dropped their season opener. Matt Keough and Reed Foster had two goals each, Josh Fiore had a goal and three assists, and Ryan Wolff scored once. Junior goalie Matt Cloutman turned in a strong performance in his first varsity start with 15 saves.In other games, Beverly upended Hamilton-Wenham in double overtime, 6-5; and Bishop Fenwick rolled past Cardinal Spellman, 18-4.GIRLS LACROSSELynnfield 18, Georgetown 7At Lynnfield, the Pioneers started the season 3-0 for the first time in the history of the young program, opening a 12-4 halftime lead. Paige MacEachern and Bailey Fanikos combined for a dozen goals and 13 draw controls. Meryl Branconnier added three goals and a team-high four ground balls while Sydney Kenyon and Elise Murphy each scored their first varsity goal. Katie Scanlon led the defense and freshman Lila Alaka made several nice plays, including two caused turnovers.Lynnfield rallied from a 6-1 deficit to defeat North Reading, 16-11, in its season opener behind nine goals by MacEachern and four from Branconnier. The Pioneers then defeated Burlington, 11-4, as Fanikos scored five goals and goalie Kristen Buzzotta made 10 saves.Bishop Fenwick 17, Cardinal Spellman 3At Peabody, the Crusaders cruised behind Merry Harrington (three goals, two assists), Teagan Ahearn (two goals, three assists) and Tessa McLaughlin (two goals, assist). Goalie Meghan Woodworth had seven saves.Arlington Catholic 21, St. Mary?s 8At Manning Field, the Spartans fell behind early and slipped to 3-2. Katie Walker scored three goals, Elizabeth Weisse had two, and Amanda Donahoe, Leenie Murphy and Maggie Flaherty scored one each. Emma Harvey had 16 saves.Winchester 12, M?head 4At Marblehead, the Sachems raced out to a 7-0 halftime lead and cruised to the win. Goal scorers for the Magicians (1-3) were Adrienne Ciccone (two ground balls), Emily Freedland (one draw control, one ground ball), Corinne Mayle (one assist) and Sydney Cayen (four ground balls, one draw control). Lucy Poulin contributed two assists and two ground balls and Brittany Lydon had 10 saves.Peabody 18, Gloucester 7The halftime score was 11-3 in this one. Leading the Tanners (1-0) were: Sarah Napolitano (5 goals, 1 assist); Courtney Smith (5 goals, 1 assist); Aly Bortone (3 goals) and Adriana Raneri (2 goals). The Tanners got a solid all-around game from Sydney Cooke (1g, 1a and 5 ground balls) and strong defense from Alyssa Shashaty. Aly Hennigan had 12 saves.TRACKAt Providen