~ SHS Sachems Sports Roundup ~

Saugus baseball, softball battle through midseason push as lacrosse programs gain momentum

By Dom Nicastro

As the spring season hits a critical stretch, Saugus baseball and softball continue to carry the load with competitive efforts, while both lacrosse programs are building momentum in their own ways as postseason hopes to begin to take shape.

Baseball searching for answers, leaning on leadership

Saugus baseball continues to grind through a challenging stretch, dropping its third straight game in a 10-5 loss to Winthrop. Despite the result, there were encouraging signs offensively, as Brayden Crawford, Nathan Soroko and Garret Peavey each went 2-for-3 to pace the Sachems lineup. Crawford added a double as part of his strong day at the plate.

Jordan Rodriguez took the loss on the mound, while Eli Fialho provided valuable relief, working 5 1/3 innings to keep Saugus within striking distance.

Head Coach Mike Mabee pointed to self-inflicted issues as a key factor in the recent skid. “We’ve been beating ourselves allowing free bases on defense and digging a hole for ourselves early in games, and we haven’t been able to climb back,” Mabee said.

Still, the coach emphasized the team’s belief and leadership as it looks to turn things around. “Our leaders have been working harder than ever to right the ship, and we’re riding their work,” Mabee said.

Crawford continues to be a central figure, contributing both on the mound and at the plate, while Soroko remains a steady presence behind the plate, helping control the tempo of games. “Nathan Soroko keeps the pace behind the dish and is a constant, keeping the energy up,” Mabee said.

Fialho is also emerging as a key contributor, with Mabee noting the sophomore is “finding his stride at the plate and has a couple multi-hit games,” while senior captain Chris Mazin continues to lead in the outfield and is “finding his stride in the batter’s box of late.”

Despite the recent losses, Mabee made it clear the path forward remains in Saugus’ control. “We have a path to the tourney, and it’s in our control,” he said. “We’ve taken some blows but we’re learning from the bad, building on the good, and looking to go 1-0 every day.”

Saugus looks to regroup quickly as it hosts Gloucester in its next NEC matchup.

Softball explodes against Lynn Tech, stays in tournament hunt

Saugus softball continues to push toward tournament contention, using a dominant 16-0 win over Lynn Tech to highlight another week of steady progress. The Sachems, now sitting at 6-6, know the margin for error is slim as they aim for a postseason berth.

“This is crunch time now, and we are going to have to start making a move if we have any hopes of making the tournament,” Head Coach Steve Almquist said.

Against Lynn Tech, Saugus wasted no time taking control, scoring seven runs in the first inning without recording a hit, capitalizing on five walks and several errors. “We were fortunate enough to be able to capitalize,” Almquist said.

The offense added to the lead in the second inning behind RBI singles from Sofia McCarrier and Maria Silva before eighth grader Hannah Strout delivered one of the biggest swings of the game, crushing a triple to deep left field to drive in two runs. The Sachems kept the pressure on in the fourth inning, scoring five more runs. One of the highlights came from senior Lani Perez, who returned from injury and made an immediate impact.

“In her first varsity at bat, she recorded her first varsity hit and RBI … what a great way to acclimate herself to the lineup,” Almquist said.

McCarrier handled the rest, tossing a five-inning shutout with eight strikeouts to earn her first shutout victory of the season. “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.

Key contributors included Silva, McCarrier, Layla Demonte, Strout, Angie Dow and Perez, while the team combined six hits with 10 walks in the win.

Earlier in the week, Saugus dropped an 8-5 decision to Beverly but showed it could compete with one of the area’s top programs. “We knew coming into this game that we had to play a clean game to beat them … which unfortunately we didn’t, but still gave them all that they could handle,” Almquist said.

The Sachems jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind hits from Aubrey Demonte, Layla Demonte, Sydney Deleidi and McCarrier before Beverly battled back. Layla Demonte added an RBI double later in the game, while Ari Chianca, Alannah Duong and Angie Dow all contributed offensively. McCarrier again battled in the circle against a strong lineup.

“If not for our inability to make a few routine plays, the outcome might have been different,” Almquist said.

With a tough closing stretch ahead, Almquist knows what it will take. “We still have a lot of work to do … but the kids continue to play hard,” he said.

Girls lacrosse celebrates milestone, bounces back strong

Saugus girls lacrosse experienced both ends of the spectrum this week, falling to Beverly before responding with a commanding 16-5 win over Danvers. In the victory, Teaghan Arsenault led the offense with four goals, while Aly Mabee and Natalie Justice each added three. Layla Rodriguez scored twice, and Niki Breton, Maria Garcia, Mara Faiella and Casey Hanifan each found the back of the net. The game also featured a major milestone, as Mabee scored her 100th career goal. In net, Jordyn Ripley Deminski turned in a standout performance with 13 saves, while Brooke Diaz helped anchor the defense.

Boys lacrosse surging behind youth, balanced attack

Saugus boys lacrosse is turning heads with its recent run, winning five of its last six games to even its record at 5-5 and position itself for a potential playoff push. The Sachems have done it with a short bench, often playing with just one or two substitutes, while relying heavily on a talented group of underclassmen.

Among the highlights was a 20-6 win over Revere, where James Caruso scored five goals, Gavin Diozzi and Artie O’Leary added three each, and Zack Modini, Hunter Arsenault and Larry Barrows each scored twice. O’Leary finished with eight points, while Eddy Reyes made eight saves in net.

In a 6-0 shutout win over Lynn, senior goaltender Larry Barrows made 10 saves, while Diozzi scored twice and O’Leary, Hunter Arsenault, Caruso and Demetri Breton each added goals. Eighth graders Bill Lauziere and Lukkas Sullivan also played key defensive roles.

The Sachems also battled Salem in a close 9-8 loss, with Diozzi scoring four goals and Breton adding three goals and an assist.

Modini has also been dominant at the faceoff position, winning 70 percent of draws in recent wins.

The emergence of eighth graders Diozzi, Modini, Sullivan and Lauziere has provided a major boost, while upperclassmen like O’Leary, Morello and Koby Jette continue to lead the way.

The Sachems are now just three wins away from tournament qualification with six games remaining.