PEABODY— It’s not often that your No. 9 hitter carries your offense. But don’t tell that to Bishop Fenwick’s Richie Pignone.
All Pignone did was drive in all four Fenwick runs en route Saturday’s 4-1 win over Stoneham in the first round of the Division 3 North state tournament at McHugh/Farley Athletic Complex.
“Richie’s just a natural lefty fastball hitter,” Fenwick coach Russ Steeves said. “It’s just a perfect spot for him down there. We love having him in the No. 9 spot. I’m not the least bit surprised that he hit the ball (Saturday).”
On the mound, Fenwick starter Jake Miano allowed one earned run on two hits over two innings. Christian Loescher relieved Miano in the top of the third and dazzled the rest of the way. Loescher struck out nine and allowed an unearned run in five innings.
“We needed Christian,” Steeves said. “I told the kids Friday that we were going to need everybody. We talked about the tournament pressure and how it creeps in and gets people in different ways. Jake was just a little shaky, he was getting a little wild. I could see it so I said, ‘let’s go to the next man up.’ Christian’s been doing great. He’s rebuilding his arm. It’s great to have him back. We needed it.”
Both Loescher and Pignone were sidelines by injuries during the regular season.
“It’s kind of ironic that guys that have been hurt just won the first tournament game for us, basically single-handedly the two of them,” Steeves said. “Richie had four RBI with big hits. Christian came in and shut the door after being injured during the season. It’s a little bit of a different level of pressure during the state tournament.
“Tournament baseball’s so much fun because you just don’t know who’s going to step up,” Steeves said. “It was good to see. I’m proud of them.”
A 1-out walk and a 2-out single turned into a 1-0 Stoneham lead on a RBI single in the top of the first. No. 20 Stoneham threatened for more in the top of the second but Miano escaped the jam unscathed.
No. 4 Fenwick rallied for three runs in the bottom of the second. Cory Bright (2-for-3, run) reached on an error, Harrison Brickett walked and Jake Murphy was hit by a pitch. In stepped No. 9 hitter Pignone (2-for-3, four RBI) who cleared the bases with a 3-run double.
The Crusaders tacked on one more run in the bottom of the fourth. Brickett (1-for-2, two runs) started the rally with a leadoff double. Again it was Pignone who delivered in the clutch with a 1-out RBI double, scoring Brickett and bumping Fenwick’s lead to 4-1.
The 3-run cushion was enough for Miano to put it away from there. Stoneham took advantage of a Fenwick error in the top of the seventh to close the gap at 4-2 but Loescher fanned the final batter of the afternoon (and three of the five he faced in the final inning) for the win.
The Crusaders are back on the diamond Monday (4), when they’ll host the winner between No. 12 Essex Tech at No. 5 Saugus.
BASEBALL
Walpole 7, St. John’s 2
In the Division 1A “Super 8” tournament, the No. 2 Eagles matched the No. 3 Rebels with six hits but four St. John’s errors were the difference in the loss.
Alex Lane (1-for-4) and Jack Cairns (2-for-4) each hit a solo home run.
St. John’s drops to the 1-loss bracket and takes on No. 1 Franklin, last year’s “Super 8” champion, Monday (4) at Campanelli Stadium.
SOFTBALL
Lynnfield 15, Madison Park 1
At No. 4 Madison Park, the No. 13 Pioneers had no trouble in the Division 3 North first round. Lynnfield hosts No. 21 Ipswich Tuesday (TBA) in the sectional quarterfinal.
Acton-Boxboro 9, Peabody 8 (F/8)
The Tanners end the season at 14-8. Acton-Boxboro hosts Classical in the Division 1 North quarterfinal Monday (4).
GIRLS LACROSSE
Swampscott 14, Tyngsboro 10
Emerson Laundry’s four goals powered Swampscott in the Division 2 North quarterfinal at Blocksidge Field. Elizabeth Green and Grace DiGrande scored three goals each. Reese Robertson scored two goals. Harper Clopton and Scarlett Ciciotti scored a goal each.
No. 2 Swampscott travels to No. 3 Newburyport Tuesday (5) in the sectional semifinal round.
