Tide baseball remains undefeated after beating Greater Lawrence in another rout

Everett takes on non-league Charlestown in the home opener later today, April 11, at Glendale

By Joe McConnell

Everett High School second-year baseball coach Malik Love has few complaints so far in the early going this season. His Crimson Tide boys have yet to play at home, but appear to be quite comfortable as road warriors after two convincing wins.

After beating Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, 20-8, they took off for Andover to take on Greater Lawrence Regional Tech last Thursday, April 3, where they defeated the Reggies, 11-6.

Love’s explanation for the team’s early success is quite sustainable if they maintain the blueprint. “We’re executing, and doing the small things to win games,” he said. “We’re trusting in each other on defense, and putting the ball in play on offense, making the other team commit mistakes to extend innings.”

The Tide has also stayed close on the scoreboard in these two games, before eventually wearing down the opposition. They led, 2-1 after one inning against Greater Lawrence. The Reggies, however, took the lead with two more runs in the second. It was then Tide time to take over the game. They scored three runs in the third, four in the fourth and two more in the fifth to seal the deal on their second straight win.

Everett was outhit, 9-7, but the visitors got theirs at the opportune times. Sophomore Tyler Freni paced the offensive attack with three hits (single, double, triple), plus a walk that resulted in one RBI. He also scored four times.

Captain Jevaun Berberena singled in two runs. He also walked once, and scored two runs. Captain Nordeivy Santana singled in a run. Reinaldo Santiago had a double, and M.J. Guida singled once. Isaiah Goffigan knocked in a run with a fielder’s choice.

Armani Negron went the first 4.1-innings on the mound to get the win. He allowed five hits, three walks and five runs, four earned, while fanning five. Goffigan finished up, going the final 2.2-innings, issuing four hits, one walk and one earned run. He also whiffed one.

Love tells his players that it’s all about responding to adversity and never quitting, while taking it one inning at a time to make sure the wins keep on coming consistently throughout the next two months. “We just can’t focus on the scoreboard,” he added. “We have to play all seven innings, and keep it close, because anything can happen if we are still in the game.”

After the game against host Chelsea was postponed on Monday, April 7, the Everett boys were scheduled to go up against Lynn Classical in another road encounter the next day, followed by the Chelsea makeup yesterday, April 10, both after press deadline. They will then finally open up the home season at Glendale Park against non-league Charlestown later today (April 11) at 4 p.m., before going to Lynn’s Fraser Field to face the Lynn English Bulldogs Monday night (April 14), beginning at 7 p.m. They will close out next week back at Glendale versus Somerville (April 16, 4 p.m.) and non-league Belmont (April 18, 4:15 p.m.).