The No. 9 Marblehead softball team made its way to an enemy diamond for the first time in the Division 2 state tournament, defeating No. 8 Nashoba, 5-1, to keep its story going.
Tessa Francis (10 K, 1 R, 4 H) played well in the circle, helping her own cause with a second-inning home run and a single in the third.
The Magicians took a 1-0 lead in the opening inning. Luka Bornhorst walked and was sacrificed to second by Isabel Mortensen. From there, Hailey Schmitt brought Bornhorst home with a base hit.
After Francis’ shot, Marblehead racked up three more runs in the third to put the pressure on. Tessa Andriano and Ruby Calienes each connected on hits in the inning.
“Defensively, Andriano pulled off an unassisted double play,” said Marblehead coach Johnny Gold. “Schmitt was outstanding at shortstop, as was Bornhorst behind the plate, as well as great first base play by Lyla McGovern… last out by left fielder Sophia Hallisey on a running catch in foul territory.”
Gold’s Magicians visit top-ranked Silver Lake Regional at 4 p.m. on Friday.
BASEBALL
St. John’s Prep 5
Catholic Memorial 2
St. John’s Prep, welcome to the Round of 8.
In Tuesday’s Division 1 action, the No. 7 Eagles flew by No. 10 Catholic Memorial, 5-2, behind a versatile offensive attack. Aidan Driscoll and Jack Growney delivered with two hits and an RBI apiece. They were followed by Nicolas Lembo (RBI single), John Tighe (RBI single), Christian Rosa (single), Cam LaGrassa (single), and Gavin Gold (RBI sac-fly).
The Prep visits No. 2 Saint John’s this Thursday with first pitch slated for 4 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS
St. John’s Prep 4
Belmont 1
Sunny and 72 degrees – not bad. Also not bad, Prep’s performance on Tuesday.
The top-ranked Eagles took care of No. 16 Belmont, 4-1, behind three singles wins from John DeAngelis, Jack Prokopis, and Luke Free, respectively. Add a doubles victory from Mark McDuffee and Alex Melville, and you’ve got yourself a Round of 8 matchup against No. 8 Acton-Boxborough (Thursday at 4 p.m.).
Lynnfield 5
Leicester 0
Dan Levin, Shea McCarthy, and Shlok Kudrimoti went 1-2-3 in singles, then the duos of Brendan Sokop-Russell Kasdon and Raffi Arkun-Slate Lopilato took care of doubles.
Next thing you know, the top-ranked Pioneers (17-1) were moving on to the Round of 8 against No. 9 Cohasset (Wednesday at 3 p.m.).
“They had a very steady team and were in every point of the match,” Lynnfield coach Joe Dunn said of his No. 17 opponent. “We are playing ninth-seed Cohasset tomorrow. Last year, we played (to) an exciting 3-2 win.”
GIRLS TENNIS
Longmeadow 4
Marblehead 1
Against a “super strong (No. 2) Longmeadow team,” according to Marblehead coach Tracy Ackerman, her No. 15 Magicians bowed out of the D2 tournament in a 4-1 final.
“There is a reason they are the No. 2 seed. Our girls finished the season with their heads high [and] they gave it all they had out there today,” she said. “Our line point came from third singles Sami Dosch. She won 7-6, 6-3. This year’s group of seniors was pretty special. They will be missed.”
Lynnfield 5
Leicester 0
In its quest for the Division 4 state championship, No. 3 Lynnfield is creeping closer after a home win against No. 19 Leicester on Tuesday. Top-ranked Hamilton-Wenham and second-seeded Manchester-Essex are still alive, however, among other strong programs.
The Pioneers put on a show to advance to the Round of 8. Paige Martino (6-0, 6-0), Lily Alves (6-2, 6-1), and Maddie Sieve (6-0, 6-0) cruised in the singles department, followed by doubles wins from Leticia Marafon and Ella Hayman (6-1, 6-1), as well as Vicky McCrann and Emma Wagon (6-2, 6-0).
GIRLS LACROSSE
Concord-Carlisle 10
Peabody 6
They trailed by just one goal (7-6) after three quarters, but in the end, Peabody met its end.
The No. 20 Tanners hit the road to face No. 4 Concord-Carlisle, returning home with a 10-6 loss in the Division 1 Round of 32.
Brooke Lomasney (3 goals), Madi Barrett (1), and Ally Bettencourt (2) did the goal-scoring, Caitlin Snow made 14 saves, and both Addy Merrill and Connie Patturelli played strong games, according to coach Michelle Roach.
“We were so close and they were a No. 4 seed,” Roach said. “I’m so incredibly proud of how they never stop. Their resilience and hard work is unmatched.”
When asked about her senior class, Roach, whose Tanners won 16 games and the Northeastern Conference title this spring, was quick to respond.
“Katie Amico and Kayla Landry have been the backbone of our team, demonstrating exceptional leadership both on and off the field,” she said. “Their contributions will be sorely missed, but the mark they’ve left on our program will endure for years to come.”
