SAUGUS — Monday’s game between the Saugus and Swampscott softball teams at Belmonte Middle School will have plenty of ramifications for the Sachems.
Saugus, 5-8, needs five wins in seven games to clinch a berth in the state tournament.
But in the midst of a late-season playoff push, the Sachems will come together for a cause bigger than softball this afternoon. The Sachems will hold a fundraiser for pediatric cancer, and all proceeds will go toward Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
The Sachems are rallying around one of their teammates, Jeovana Goncalves, as they aim to raise awareness and money for a good cause. Goncalves, an eighth grader at Belmonte, is a member of the Saugus JV team.
“Jeovana has been battling cancer. I think it goes back to 2016 and then it came back toward the tail end of 2017,” Saugus varsity coach Steve Almquist said. “The team wanted to do something to show our support and give back to the two hospitals that have been treating her along the way, Dana Farber and Boston Children’s Hospital. It’s a nice opportunity to do something small on our part in helping raise a little money.”
Sachems players will sell gold rubber bracelets and hair bows at the game, as gold is the national color of childhood cancer awareness. Food will also be sold and a 50/50 raffle will be held. Donations will also be accepted.
The idea to pitch in for the cause, Almquist said, came from the players.
“The captains and the girls all got together, it was their idea,” Almquist said. “We wanted to do something as a program. It was all brought on by the kids.
“I’m beyond proud of the kids,” Almquist said. “It’s kind of a common theme in Saugus. When someone’s down and needs help, people come together. I’m beyond proud of the kids for coming up with this. They’ve championed the idea of getting the word out. We’re hoping to get as many people at the game.”
As tough weather conditions plagued the start of the spring season, Goncalves was unable to take the field this year. Although she isn’t playing, Goncalves remains close to the program in her role as team manager.
“We didn’t want to lose her from the program,” Almquist said. “She’s with the program as a team manager. She has made it to a few games. Hopefully she’s at 100 percent and ready to get out on the field next year.”
The 2018 campaign has been an up-and-down season for the Sachems. Saugus has found itself on the wrong end of a handful of close games but Almquist and his players are optimistic about their postseason chances.
“Every game is crucial now,” Almquist said. “We’ve kind of dug ourselves a hole. We’ve lost a couple one-run games. We just can’t seem to find the consistency we need. Hopefully we can put it all together over the next few games. If you can get in, anything can happen. We just need to start playing a little better.
“Hopefully (today) gives us the start we need,” Almquist added. “It should be a fun day against a fun team. We’re going up against a great Swampscott team. We always have competitive games against Swampscott. Everyone’s really looking forward to it.”
First pitch for tonight’s between the Sachems and Big Blue is scheduled for 4 p.m.
