DANVERS — Simply put, when asked about Thursday morning’s baseball game against Danvers, Peabody Coach Mark Bettencourt wasn’t pleased with the 5-4 loss.
“That’s a bad loss,” he said. “We had bases loaded, we had guys on second and third, we had opportunities to score runs early, and we just didn’t get it done.”
In the bottom of the third inning, the Tanners allowed four runs through infield singles. There was also an error, a fielder’s choice, and a balk.
“We just have to make plays and they’re not difficult plays to make,” Bettencourt said. “When you need to execute, you have to execute. When you need an out, you need to get an out. We didn’t do it in that inning and it hurt us.”
The second inning, however, was a different story.
Peabody started hot with Michael Murphy getting on base with an infield single. From there, Murphy stole two bases to get himself to third base with one out and Luke Maglione at the plate.
Maglione drilled a shot to left field, which was deep enough for Murphy to tag home and make it 1-0 in favor of the visitors.
It didn’t stop there.
In the third inning, Peabody had the bases loaded with two outs and Murphy was hit by a pitch, bringing in Jayden Cunningham to double the Tanners’ lead.
“I’m happy with the start, but it could have been more. It could have been 4-0; it could have been 5-0,” Bettencourt said. “We’re not getting the big hit when we need it. Hopefully, that comes.”
Facing a 4-2 deficit, Peabody’s Joey Sinibaldi entered in relief during the fourth inning. He “kept them at bay,” according to Bettencourt, and allowed just one run to give the Tanners a chance.
“I think Sinibaldi was our savior today,” Bettencourt said. “He throws a lot of strikes and he doesn’t walk a lot of people. He’s getting more strikeouts than even I thought he would – that might change things for him.”
Trailing by three runs in the final inning, with two outs, Peabody found some life.
With two runners on base, Noah Crocker hit a single to center field, scoring Jariel Tolentino from second. Then, Ethan Waybret brought home Jacob Crocker to left field (5-4).
Unfortunately for the Tanners, their final batter struck out and Danvers escaped victorious.
“Even in that last inning, we’re a hit away from tying the game,” Bettencourt said. “The mistakes we’re making are all correctible. If we correct those mistakes, we’re a pretty good team. We just need to figure it out.”
Peabody looks to bounce back Monday when it hosts Saugus at 4:30 p.m.
