ITEM PHOTO BY KATIE MORRISON
Alex Almquist squares up for a pitch.
By MIKE ALONGI
SAUGUS — The Saugus Sachems softball team is now one win away from a state tournament berth after taking down Northeastern Conference foe Winthrop, 4-2, on Wednesday afternoon at Belmonte Middle School. Things weren’t perfect for the Sachems in the game, but coach Steve Almquist has been happy with the direction things are moving in.
“We still made some mental mistakes out there, which will always happen with a young team,” said Almquist. “But we made the plays that we needed to and got some big hits today, so I can’t complain too much. We’ve just got to keep improving.”
It was also Senior Day for the softball team, as Saugus honored its three seniors: Catie Sheehan, Alex Almquist and Katie Italiano.
“It was great to get a win for the seniors today,” said Almquist. “I can’t say enough about the job they’ve done this year, it’s like having three coaches on the field. They do everything right, both on and off the field, and they’ll definitely be missed next year.”
Sadie DiCenso was the big hitter on the day for Saugus, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Sheehan and Almquist each contributed one RBI in the win. On the mound, Caitlyn Wood tossed a complete game and gave up two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts to earn the win.
For Winthrop, Jessy Martin and Taylor Impemba each had one RBI. Kaitlyn Carter took the loss after pitching five innings and giving up four runs on nine hits with one strikeout. Impemba came in to pitch one inning of relief.
The Vikings got on the board first in the top of the first inning. After two quick outs to start the game, Bella Perrotti walked and stole both second and third base. Now just 90 feet away, Perrotti was knocked in on an RBI single from Martin to give Winthrop the 1-0 lead.
It didn’t take long for Saugus to respond. Italiano led off the inning with a big triple to right centerfield to get things going. After a groundout, Sheehan stepped into the box and knocked an RBI groundout to tie the game at 1-1.
The Sachems threatened again in the bottom of the second, loading the bases with just one out, but Carter was able to work out of the jam.
Then in the bottom of the third, Saugus once again started to threaten by getting runners to second and third with no outs. Almquist smacked a long RBI sacrifice fly to left field and gave the Sachems a 2-1 lead.
The very next inning, Saugus was at it again. The Sachems moved runners to second and third, but this time with two outs. It was DiCenso’s turn at the plate, and she stepped up and smashed a deep two-run double over the centerfielder’s head to plate two runs and make it 4-1.
Winthrop had a golden opportunity to close the gap in the top of the sixth. After Wood retired the first two batters, the Vikings drew a walk and then notched two infield singles to load the bases with two outs. Impemba knocked an RBI single to centerfield, but she hit it too hard and only one run was able to score, making it 4-2. With the bases still loaded and the go-ahead run at first base, Wood bared down and struck out the next batter to escape the inning with the lead. She then set the Vikings down in order in the top of the seventh to earn the win.
The Sachems (9-9) are now coming down the home stretch of the season, needing one more win in their final two games to earn a state tournament berth. That won’t be easy however, as their final two games will come against Stoneham and Swampscott, both of which Saugus has already lost to this year.
“We’ve had some issues with both of them this year already, so it’s going to be tough,” said Almquist. “It would be great to get that win against Stoneham so we’re not rolling into the last game of the season needing that win to qualify. But if that’s the case, then that’s what we’ll have to do.”
The Sachems will take on Stoneham this afternoon on the road in Stoneham.
