Lynnfield’s baseball team battled its way to an 11-2 record with a 3-1 win against Manchester-Essex at home on Thursday. Ben Dahlstedt (7 IP, 4 H, 9 K) got the job done in his complete-game victory for the Pioneers, giving the opposition little breathing room from start to finish.
“He throws strikes. I think he walked one guy. He keeps the ball low and works fast, which is great for the guys behind him,” said Lynnfield coach John O’Brien.
For the hosts, who connected on eight hits in total, Dave Tracy (2-for-2, walk) led the charge with all three RBI.
“He had a nice game,” O’Brien said. “He pitched well the other day, then we put him at DH (designated hitter) today and he played well.”
BASEBALL
Marblehead 2
Swampscott 1
In one of the Northeastern Conference’s top traditional rivalries, Thursday came with another dandy. Marblehead escaped Swampscott on its home diamond, 2-1.
The Magicians plated both of their runs in the first inning. Brooks Keefe (2-for-3) and Matt Mahan were to thank for the RBI.
For Swampscott – which actually led the hits category, 4-3 – it received strong showings from Caden Ross (2-for-3, run) and Jason Bouffard (1-for-3), who picked up an RBI in the seventh inning.
Marblehead’s Chris Cannuscio went the distance on the mound, allowing just four hits and punching out nine. Jack Spear went six innings for Swampscott, striking out six and conceding just three hits. Cannuscio struck out the final two batters with a runner on second, and both pitchers walked just one batter apiece.
St. John’s Prep 5
BC High 1
It was a happy Thursday for The Prep, which knocked off top-ranked (MIAA) BC High in a 5-1 final. Hits came from Gavin Gold, Will Shaheen (2 RBI), and Aidan Driscoll, while Braeden Hurley (4 K) tossed a strong game across six innings.
SOFTBALL
Saugus 16
Hamilton-Wenham 8
Visiting Saugus doubled up Hamilton-Wenham thanks to a versatile offensive effort. But first, Taylor Deleidi showed out in her complete-game win, continuing her phenomenal spring season.
Back to that offense. Deleidi (2-for-5, 3 RBI, 3 R), Felicia Alexander (4-for-5, 3 doubles, single, 6 RBI), Lily Ventre (3-for-4, 2 singles, double, RBI, 3 runs), and Devany Millerick (2-for-5, RBI, run) led the charge, and Saugus upped its record to 5-7 before Friday’s 4:30 p.m. game at Peabody.
“We had an 11-run third inning which really broke out the game, and we cruised from there,” said Saugus coach Steve Almquist.
Mystic Valley 15
Lynn Tech 0
Despite the 15-0 final, Tech coach Beth Mercaldi said, “The score does not really reflect the fact that our girls continued to work hard on defense throughout the game.”
For the Tigers, who face Lynn English at 4 p.m. Friday, they were led by Genevieve McCafferty’s seven strikeouts, as well as strong efforts from catcher Camila Rufino Santos and shortstop Jianny Bernable.
Lynnfield 13
Manchester Essex 1
Thanks to senior Sophia Brown’s four-hitter with two walks and seven strikeouts across seven innings, Lynnfield’s softball team took care of business – and then some – against Manchester-Essex on the road.
Ava Gamache, Morgan Hubbard, Kaila George, and Olivia Kelter all had two hits apiece, while Libby Considine doubled and drove in two runs and Julia Corrente added a two-run single.
Marblehead 3
Masconomet 1
Marblehead’s Ruby Calienes (4 H, 0 BB, 7 K) pitched her first game of the spring and went home with a win against Masconomet. Tessa Francis faced the last four batters of the evening, getting the save on no hits and two punchouts.
Catcher Luka Bornhorst went 2-for-3 with two runs, Hailey Schmitt went 2-for-4 with a big RBI in the seventh inning, and Isabel Mortensen went 1-for-4 with two RBI for the Magicians, who jumped to 12-2.
BOYS LACROSSE
Swampscott 19
Salem 7
Four goals in the first, five in the second, four in the third, and six in the fourth – that’s, just about, as well-rounded as you can get.
Swampscott’s laxmen defeated Salem, 19-7, behind explosive efforts from Chase Russo (6 goals), Jason Rothwell (4 goals), Liam Keaney (2 goals, 3 assists), and Carson Palmer (3 goals, assist).
“We had Jack Hazell return from a knee injury and we could notice his speed and athleticism from the very beginning,” said Swampscott coach Geoff Beckett. “Defense had a little bit of a lull in the third quarter, but responded well with a great transition into offense, helping score six in the fourth quarter.”
GIRLS LACROSSE
Peabody 15
Marblehead 6
Peabody led just 7-4 at halftime, then turned up the heat in the second half, soundly defeating the Magicians behind Madi Barrett’s six goals and three assists. She also secured her 200th career point.
Chipping in were Ally Bettencourt (5 goals, 3 assists), Brooke Lomasney (3 goals, 2 assists), Connie Patturelli (goal), and Victoria Vaz (assist). Caitlin Snow made nine saves, and Peabody upped its record to 11-2 (11-0 Northeastern Conference).
As for Marblehead (4-9), there were plenty of positives. Kathryn Commoss continued her stellar spring with four goals, followed by Maddie Forbes (goal), Ramona Gillett (2 assists), Gretchen Smith (goal), Avery Wysor (ground ball), Sydney Hamilton (ground ball), and Molly Bullard (13 saves).
Swampscott 18
Salem 2
It was time to celebrate in Swampscott, as Avery laundry scored her 100th career goal in the hosts’ 18-2 triumph against the Witches. She netted four on Thursday alongside three helpers.
For the Big Blue, 9-3, the offense came from everywhere. Coco Clopton and Lila Giard each ripped hat tricks, while Victoria Pierro added another two and Sophia Ciciotti went home with a goal and an assist. Lilah Caplan made nine saves.
BOYS TENNIS
Swampscott 4
Masconomet 1
The Big Blue jumped to 9-2 after taking care of the Chieftains on homecourt. Charles and Sam Schepens won their singles matches, while the still-undefeated doubles duo of Nick Custer and Trevor Talabian won their doubles matchup. Add another doubles win from Lucas Bereaud and Julian Flake, and that was all she wrote.
Marblehead 5
Latin Academy 0
No Mika Garber, no problem for the Marblehead boys tennis team, which showed off its depth with a 5-0 win against Latin Academy on a sunny Thursday. Etan Farfel, Jayden Janock, and TJ Kelly registered singles wins, while the combinations of Leo Winocour-Austin Bacon and Anthony Vizy-Ty Cooper added more for the 9-3 Magicians.
“Marblehead’s No. 1 player was injured during the warm-up and the rest of the team stepped up and played a very competitive match,” said coach Elisabeth Foukal. “I couldn’t be more proud of how our team adjusted to the lineup at the last minute and came through for a convincing win.”
GIRLS TENNIS
Malden 4
Lynn Classical 1
Classical snagged a point, courtesy of freshman Amber Sotomayer at first singles (6-0, 6-0), but she was the Rams’ lone winner. Sotomayer remains undefeated this spring.
St. Mary’s 3
Arlington Catholic 2
The Spartans picked up their third win in four matches, defeating Arlington Catholic in narrow fashion on enemy courts. Riley Maguire won at singles, while the duos of Callie Lauren-Layla Trahant and Ava Gigliotti-Maddi Desilets got the job done in doubles.
Lynnfield 4
North Andover 1
Another day, another win for Lynnfield, which took care of North Andover to move to 6-3. Paige Martino, Lily Alves, and Maddie Sieve won their singles matches, while the second doubles team of Emma Wagon and Parminder Saini took care of things, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.
Marblehead 3
Boston Latin Academy 2
Marblehead squeaked by Boston Latin – and it wasn’t easy. First and second singles fell for the Magicians, but Sami Dosch picked up a hard-earned win at third singles. From there, both doubles duos (Lucia Levin and Lani Gilmore; Reese Friedman and Nina Johnson) closed out the match with wins.
