Tide baseball begins final week with win against non-league host Greater Lawrence

Both teams will face each other again in a rematch later today at Glendale on Senior Day

By Joe McConnell

Everett High School first-year baseball coach Malik Love took over a very young team that consisted of mostly underclassmen with the exception of three varsity seniors – Alex Lara, Justin Longmore and Enrico Vega – but its worst losing streak this year was six games in a row.  They managed to win five games, an achievement based on perseverance and a determined attitude to succeed.

The Crimson Tide (5-13) recorded their most recent triumph Monday afternoon (May 20) against non-league host Greater Lawrence, 4-2. They close out the season later today (May 24) against the same opponent, but this time at Glendale Park on Senior Day, beginning at 4 p.m. Senior Day festivities will get underway approximately 3:30 p.m. Two days earlier, the local nine took on non-league Charlestown after press deadline. They had already defeated the Townies on May 10, 10-2.

‘We have been getting better each week,” said Love. “We’re more familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and as a result the confidence level to compete on the varsity level is much higher.”

Isaiah Goffigan pitched four-plus innings against Greater Lawrence, before Derek Soper, who ended up getting the win, relieved him in the fifth with runners on first and second and no outs. The score was tied at one at that time. Soper first induced a double play, when shortstop Nordeivy Santana caught a liner, before throwing to first baseman Jose Portillo to record the second out. Centerfielder Alex Lara then caught a flyball to get out of the jam.

In the sixth, Goffigan broke the tie with a two-run double, scoring Lara and Nordeivy Santana. They added some insurance in the seventh with an unearned run.

Last Friday, the Everett boys lost a competitive battle to non-league Lowell at Glendale, 8-4. It was a close 3-2 game early on. Goffigan accounted for the Everett offense with a two-run double.

Nordeivy Santana pitched the first four-plus innings, before Soper finished up on the mound.

“It was good to be in a close game against a real good program like Lowell,” said Love. “We’re now looking to finish the season strong.”