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McMahon named MVP, combines with fellow RHP Gavin for 1-hitter in win over Lynn Tech in the final
By Nick Toscani
The junior pitching duo of Ryan McMahon and Billy Gavin combined for a 2-hitter on the mound against Salem Academy Charter High School on Friday, then came back and did it all over again on Tuesday. The pair of righthanders tossed a 1-hitter at Lynn Tech at Maplewood Park in Malden in a 12-2 victory to capture the Golden Tornado Club First Pitch Classic Tournament Championship for the fourth straight season. Since Malden started the early-in-the-season tourney in the 2022 season, the Tornado squad has been dominant, winning both games each year ever since, with four title trophies now in hand.
Lynn Tech was a new entry this year and after dispatching Salem Academy, 8-3, in its tourney opener last Thursday, Coach Lewis and the Tigers came back to Malden for Tuesday’s final after a rain-postponed date cancelled the scheduled game Saturday. Tuesday’s game got a bit dicey when a slew of hit batters by Malden’s starting pitcher, McMahon, gave Lynn Tech a bunch of baserunners, but the wily junior righty escaped with minimal damage, down by only a 1-0 margin after the Tigers batted twice.
“It wasn’t so much that [McMahon] was wild, Lynn Tech’s batters were basically living on the plate, they lined up so closely,” Malden assistant coach Phil Cook said. “Ryan [McMahon] kept his composure and adjusted, working his way out of possible bigger trouble.”
Down 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning, Malden exploded for 8 runs, sending 11 men to the plate to take over the game and the lead, 8-1. Leading the charge was freshman designated hitter Davante Layne, who ended up getting two hits in the same inning and scoring two runs. For the day, Layne led everyone with 3-for-4, 3 stolen bases, 2 RBI. Seniors Aidan Brett (2-run double), Brayan Jose (2 hits, 2 runs scored) and captain Bo Stead (2 RBIs) also contributed to a breakout day for Malden hitters.
Junior centerfielder Matt Candelario Da Costa had his second solid game defensively, contributing to a pair of valuable assists leading to big plays with his outfield throws and a standout catch. For the second consecutive game, Gavin picked up another save in relief, striking out the Lynn Tech side in order in his first inning and allowing just 1 hit and no runs.
McMahon was named Most Valuable Player for the tournament for the second consecutive year.
In Game 1, an 11-1 win over Salem Academy Charter High School last Friday, McMahon (2-0) pitched 4 1-hit innings with 8 strikeouts. He also went 3-for-4 at the plate with 3 runs scored, 3 stolen bases and 2 RBIs. Freshman Devin Milonopolous hit an inside-the-park, 2-run home run to right field in the last inning to end the game by run-rule. Gavin’s 2-run triple in the second inning was another big hit for Malden in that game.
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Malden is back in action on Monday, April 7, hosting Somerville in its Greater Boston League opener at Maplewood Park in Malden at 4:00 p.m. Next Wednesday, April 9, Malden stays in the GBL, hosting league opponent Chelsea in a doubleheader at 3:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. at Maplewood Park in Malden.
