~ SHS Sachems Sports Round-Up ~

By Dom Nicastro

Saugus baseball team splits last two

Saugus stood at 8-7 after 15 games. The team fell to Peabody, 4-3, this week on the road.

Saugus was the first to get on the board in the first inning when Remy Guerrero induced Tyler Riley to hit into a fielder’s choice, but two runs scored. Saugus scored one run in the top of the third on a solo home run to right field by Danny Zeitz.

Jordan Rodriguez stepped on the bump first for Saugus. He gave up nine hits and four runs (three earned) over five and one-third innings, striking out eight and walking three.

Riley drove the middle of the lineup, leading Saugus with two runs batted in. Nathan Soroko and Zeitz each collected one hit for Saugus. Saugus turned one double play in the game.

Saugus beat old Northeastern Conference foe Lynn Classical, 13-10, at Fraser Field in Lynn. The game was tied at eight in the bottom of the fifth when Jeff Murphy singled, scoring one run. It was part of a six-run fifth. Cam Soroko, Shane Bourque, Rodriguez and Riley each had two-hit games for Saugus. Saugus came back to win despite trailing 4-0 in the first.

Saugus girls lacrosse team inches toward postseason

Saugus was looking for one more win to clinch a tourney spot heading into the middle part of this week. Saugus beat Whittier, 18-4. Violet Hawley (two), Nina Penachio (two), Juliana Scalisi, Jess Valley, Brooke Diaz, Mara Faiella (four), Aly Mabee (four), Casey Hanifan, Maria Garcia and Layla Rodriques had goals. Medford forfeited, so Saugus won, 2-0.

Saugus lost to Swampscott, 17-3. Ashley Rezendes had a goal, and Mabee scored two. Saugus goes to Malden on Friday, May 17, and hosts Senior Night at home against Stoneham on Monday, May 20.

Saugus softball team needs strong finish for tourney spot

Saugus beat Northeast Voke, 3-1, and improved to 6-8 on the season. “It was a bit closer than I would have liked as we continue to struggle with getting that key hit with runners in scoring position. We stranded five in scoring position, but at this point needing every win we can get we will take it,” Saugus coach Steve Almquist said.

Taylor Deleidi was masterful on the mound in this one, keeping the Voke batters off balance the entire game. This was by far her best performance to date. She recorded a season-high seven strikeouts while allowing three hits and one walk. In addition, she continues to swing a hot bat, chipping in with two hits at the plate.

Felicia Alexander DH went two-for-three with a triple RBI and a run scored. “Felicia has been on fire at the plate and continues to be one of our leading hitters,” Almquist said.

Devany Millerick had a hit and run scored. Ava Rogers added a hit. Sabrina Tamburello had a double and RBI.

“Sabrina is an eighth-grader who has been really impressive and is starting to come into her own,” Almquist said. “She delivered a key RBI double off the deep right-center field fence in the fourth inning breaking a 1-1 tie.”

“We are now at the point where we pretty much need to win every game so these next three games will likely determine our fate the rest of the way out,” Almquist said. “The next three games, Swampscott on Wednesday [May 15], Salem on Friday and a makeup game against Winthrop on Sunday will require our very best effort if we have any hopes of coming away with the wins. I am excited to see how the kids rise up to the challenge.”

Saugus earlier beat Hamilton-Wenham, 16-8. “The bats came alive in this one and we were finally able to get ourselves a win,” Almquist said. “We were trailing 1-0 heading into the top of the third when the offensive exploded as we batted around sending 15 batters to the plate and scoring 11 runs. Right fielder Felicia Alexander was a one-person wrecking crew in this game going four-for-five with three doubles – two came in this inning – and racking up six RBI.

Deleidi allowed seven earned runs and 13 hits while striking out two and walking none. She added two hits and three RBI and three runs scored. Sydney Deleidi added a double and two RBI. Lily Ventre went three-for-four with a double, RBI and three runs scored. Rogers added a hit, RBI and three runs. Millerick had two hits and an RBI and a run scored.

“We were also able to use four of our eighth-graders in this game,” Almquist said, “and I was very impressed with how they continue to perform. Angela Dow and Sabrina Tamburello both pinch hit, drawing key walks and each scored a run. Pinch runners Alannah Duong and Julia Strout, seeing her first varsity action, demonstrated outstanding baserunning skills scoring runs as well.”

Peabody blanked and no-hit Saugus, 12-0. “This game found us a bit undermanned as we were without our starting and backup catcher so we had some kids playing out of position,” Almquist said. “I can’t stress enough though how proud I was of the kids as multiple players stepped up to help fill the void, some who have never caught before, including sure handed centerfielder Danica Schena who ended up getting the nod. Danica was our emergency catcher a few years back but it had been quite some time since she had been behind the dish but was phenomenal back there, even throwing out a runner trying to steal second.”

Taylor Deleidi and freshman Ari Chianca shared the pitching duties.

“We didn’t have any offensive highlights in this one as we only had one baserunner and that was Schena who reached on an error in the fifth,” Almquist said. “However, we did have several standout defensive performances which included Schena behind the plate, Devany Millerick at shortstop and Ava Rogers at third base. All played exceptionally well handling everything that came their way.”

Saugus players show improvement for Northeast tennis

Some Saugus student-athletes playing for Northeast Metro Tech boys tennis (through a cooperative program) and another Saugus resident who attends Northeast and plays for the team have been showing improvement. Saugus student Victor Phan won, 10-5, against Greater Lawrence. Saugus student Jeff Trinh fought to 10-10 before losing, 8-6, in a tiebreaker. Northeast student Ayden Kloppenburg of Saugus fell, 10-8, in singles against Fellowship. He normally plays doubles. Trinh in the next match against Greater Lawrence won, 10-10 (7-5 tiebreaker). In that same match, Saugus student Anowar Mahabub won, 10-9.