~ Saugus High Sachems Sports Roundup ~

Saugus baseball, softball carry the load in busy spring week

By Dom Nicastro

Saugus baseball and softball continued to show growth, resilience and the kind of midseason momentum that can shape the second half of a schedule. The Sachems received dominant pitching, explosive offensive innings and several standout individual performances as the teams neared the May stretch of the season.

Baseball goes 2-1, powers past Northeast twice

Saugus baseball turned in another productive week, going 2-1 to move to 5-5 on the season with a pair of wins over Northeast Metro Tech before closing the week against Swampscott. The biggest statement came when the Sachems, listed as the visiting team at World Series Park, rolled to a 15-0 win in five innings behind a combined no-hitter.

Jordan Rodriguez was electric once again, striking out 10 over 5 1/3 innings while controlling the game from the outset. Garret Peavey recorded the final two outs to complete the no-hit effort. At the plate, Tyler Schaefer had a breakout day, collecting four hits as the Saugus offense piled up runs early and never let Northeast settle in.

Two days later, the Sachems completed the sweep with an 11-1 home victory over Northeast. Freshman Schaefer continued his strong week by earning his first varsity win on the mound, another encouraging sign for a Saugus staff that has shown depth all spring. Offensively, the Sachems were again relentless. Brayden Crawford and Eli Fialho each collected three hits, helping pace a balanced lineup. Crawford continued his all-around strong season by reaching base repeatedly, while Chris Mazin added two hits in another productive performance.

The week ended with a 7-0 loss to Swampscott, but even in defeat Saugus continued to compete against a quality opponent. Mazin doubled, while Crawford, Rodriguez and Fialho combined on the mound.

Now sitting at .500 after 10 games, the Sachems appear to be trending upward with improved pitching depth and multiple hitters producing throughout the order. Saugus was set to return to action Wednesday, April 29, at home against Beverly in another important NEC matchup.

Softball splits week, McCarrier shines, captains lead way

Saugus softball also continued its steady climb, splitting the week to move to 5-5 overall while showing toughness despite a short-handed roster.

The Sachems opened the week against Marblehead and fell 11-2, but Head Coach Steve Almquist still saw positives against one of the area’s top programs and standout pitcher Tessa Francis. “Facing one of the top programs and pitchers in the area, we knew coming in that it was going to be a very tall task for us,” Almquist said. “Despite the loss, I saw a lot of positives. The kids continue to play hard and are giving their very best effort.”

Captain Sydney Deleidi sparked the offense with a triple and later scored, while eighth grader Jenna O’Donnell added a triple of her own and also scored. Captain Ari Chianca and eighth grader Aubrey Demonte each added hits. Freshman Sofia McCarrier battled through another demanding start in the circle, going seven innings with six strikeouts against a veteran Marblehead lineup.

The week ended on a much stronger note, as Saugus defeated Melrose, 6-2, in a sharply different rematch after the teams had combined for 39 runs in their previous meeting. “This was a good old-fashioned pitchers’ duel with sound defense on both sides and some timely hitting on our end,” Almquist said. “That’s what makes this game so great—you never know what to expect.”

The turning point came in the third inning. Eighth grader Jenna O’Donnell drew a leadoff walk before captain Ari Chianca launched an inside-the-park two-run home run. After Aubrey Demonte reached base again and Deleidi singled, McCarrier ripped a two-run double to left-center to give Saugus a 4-1 lead.

Layla Demonte later added a triple and RBI, while Deleidi drove in another run.

McCarrier did the rest in the circle, earning her fifth win of the season with a complete-game effort. The freshman allowed two runs, one earned, while striking out five. “Only a freshman, Sofia continues to impress with her gamer mentality and her willingness to do whatever is necessary to help the team win,” Almquist said.

Almquist also praised the team’s defensive flexibility during a stretch where injuries, illness and school trips have limited available numbers. “I can’t stress enough how impressed I am with the kids,” he said. “Some of them are playing positions they aren’t necessarily very comfortable with yet, but they’ve been getting the job done.”

He added that captains Silva, Chianca and Deleidi “have done a fantastic job setting the tone and keeping everyone together and focused.”

Saugus now prepares for another difficult week with games against Beverly and Lynn Tech.

Girls lacrosse milestone watch

Saugus girls lacrosse enters a big week with senior scorer Aly Mabee sitting on the doorstep of history. Mabee now has 99 career goals, leaving her just one away from the 100-goal milestone with two games on the schedule this week.