The Agganis All-Stars returned to Fraser Field Sunday and it made for a pair of exciting, tight games from local baseball and softball players as Agganis Week kicked off in full.
When the dust settled at the 26th Agganis All-Star Baseball Game, both teams were dead even in a 4-4 tie.
Wakefield’s Mike Iannuzzi brought the fireworks with a two-run home run to earn South MVP honors, while Rockport’s Frew Rowen earned the North MVP after lacing a go-ahead RBI single.
Peabody’s Juan Tolentino (1-for-2) burned up the basepaths with a pair of stolen bases and two runs scored for the North. Tolentino also pitched an inning, allowing one run on one hit. Christian Loescher could be on the mound in a Division 3 North tournament game for Bishop Fenwick Monday, but the senior hurler still threw a clean first inning.
For the South, Lynn Classical’s Ethaniel Almendarez was red-hot with a pair of hits, two stolen bases and one run scored.
Salem’s Bobby Jellison flashed his arm with a nice throw to home from left field to save a run and laced a double. Classical’s Nico Galeazzi and St Mary’s Lucas Fritz each scored one run.
Almendarez, along with the Swampscott pair of Nate Stern and Aidan Graciale, all threw two innings and allowed one run with one strikeout.
Saugus players and coaches reigned in the 23rd Agganis All-Star Softball Game.
Sachems coach Steve Almquist guided the South squad to a 4-3 win in his first Agganis game.
“It was a blast,” Almquist said. “We had a great group of kids, 16 on the roster. There were a lot of infielders and outfielders and some kids stepped up and tried different positions. I didn’t really have to do anything, just put them out there and they did the rest.”
Saugus’ Leah Ventre also won South MVP honors, pitching two innings (one strikeout, three hits, one run) and going 2-for-2 at the plate with a two-run single to power the South.
“The storybook season continues for Leah,” Almquist said “We were able to bring all five of our senior captains. What a great way to cap off their senior year, and now hopefully we can make some noise in the tournament.”
The Sachems are at Danvers Monday (4) for a Division 2 North first round game. They’ll have their hands full with Falcons ace and North MVP Lily Eldridge. The Danvers senior threw three innings Sunday (a two-inning start before returning in the sixth) and struck out seven while allowing one hit.
For the South, Winthrop’s Sofia Vitale also added an RBI triple. Saugus’ Alexa Ferraro and Cat Schena, Winthrop’s Izzy Mahoney and Wilmington’s Ashley Crawford all scored runs.
Vitale pitched a pair of innings, allowing one earned run on two hits with two strikeouts. Lynn Classical’s Brooke Warren closed out the game, allowing two hits with three strikeouts.
Despite the loss, Bishop Fenwick’s Shannon Corcoran picked up an RBI for the North, scoring Lynn English’s Ashley Martinez (two stolen bases). Danvers’ Brooke Grassia tacked on two RBI.
