Saugus High School Spring Sports Roundup

Saugus baseball, softball show early resilience as spring season takes shape

By Dom Nicastro

It didn’t take long for Saugus Spring teams to show what kind of season this might be — one defined by resilience, bounce-back performances and a mix of veteran leadership and young contributors stepping into key roles. Although it’s really early, Sachems teams are already responding to early adversity with strong efforts and promising signs of growth.

Baseball bounces back behind Rodriguez, balanced lineup

Saugus baseball split its opening stretch, dropping a tough season opener before turning around with a strong 9-6 win over rival Winthrop. In the opener against Swampscott, the Sachems fell, 14-0, with Brayden Crawford taking the loss on the mound. Despite the scoreline, there were bright spots, including Nathan Soroko, the team’s senior catcher, who reached base twice and added a stolen base.

That early setback didn’t linger long. Behind a dominant outing from Jordan Rodriguez, Saugus responded with a complete team effort in the win over Winthrop. Rodriguez went 5.1 innings, allowing four runs — just one earned — while striking out 10 and issuing just one walk.

“Jordan started on the mound … he threw unbelievable,” said Saugus Head Coach Mike Mabee. “He pitched his tail off. He did everything we needed to go get us a win.”

Freshman Tyler Schaefer closed it out with 1.2 innings of relief, allowing two runs — none earned — while showing poise in a pressure spot. “He showed a lot of grit … he battled through it,” Mabee said.

Offensively, the Sachems got production up and down the lineup. Rodriguez helped his own cause with two hits and an RBI, while Crawford added two hits and an RBI. Trey Riley chipped in with a hit and RBI, and Devin Lugo collected his first two varsity hits — including a double — driving in two runs.

The lineup balance was a key takeaway for Mabee. “We were spread out across the lineup. It was good to see,” he said.

Behind the plate, Soroko continues to be a steady presence as a four-year catcher. “He’s awesome behind the dish … he’s a wall back there,” Mabee said. “He really does do it all well.”

While the offense and pitching delivered, Mabee noted there is still room for improvement defensively. “There’s just some routine plays … once we get going, we’ll be getting those routine plays that we should be making,” he said.

Saugus looks to build on that momentum with upcoming NEC matchups against Masconomet and Gloucester.

Softball flips the script in dominant win over Swampscott

If there was a definition of a bounce-back performance, Saugus softball delivered it. After opening the season with an 18-2 loss to Manchester Essex — highlighted by nine errors — the Sachems turned things around in emphatic fashion, blanking Swampscott 12-0 in six innings to even their record at 1-1 (1-0 NEC).

“What a difference 24 hours makes,” said Saugus Head Coach Steve Almquist.

Freshman Sofia McCarrier was outstanding in the circle, tossing a one-hit shutout with six strikeouts and just one walk. The only hit allowed was an infield single. She also contributed at the plate with an RBI single and two runs scored.

Behind her, the defense that struggled in the opener was flawless. “[We] turned in a dominant performance … playing errorless ball,” Almquist said.

Sophomore Julia Strout stood out defensively with what Almquist described as a “gold glove performance” at first base.

Offensively, Saugus wasted no time jumping ahead, scoring five runs in the first inning. Eighth grader Aubrey Demonte delivered the big blow with a two-run double — her first varsity hit — finishing two-for-three with two RBIs and three runs scored. The lineup kept producing throughout the game. Junior captain Ari Chianca had two hits and two runs scored, junior captain Sydney Deleidi drove in two runs, and senior captain Maria Silva added three RBIs. Sophomore Angie Dow contributed two RBIs. Eighth grader Jenna O’Donnell recorded her first varsity hit, while freshman Izzy Cantrell, called up from JV, worked a walk in her first varsity at-bat and came around to score.

After the opening loss, Almquist was impressed with the team’s response. “I was very pleased with how the kids bounced back … this was a total team effort,” he said.

Girls’ lacrosse splits week, Mabee nearing milestone

Saugus girls’ lacrosse also showed resilience, bouncing back from a 4-3 loss to Winthrop with an 11-5 win in the rematch later in the week. Senior Aly Mabee led the way with four goals and continues to close in on a major milestone, sitting at 88 career goals heading into this week. Junior Maria Garcia added two goals and two assists, while sophomore Teaghan Arsenault scored twice. Senior captain Natalie Justice contributed a goal and two assists, and junior Niki Breton and senior captain Brooke Diaz each added a goal.

The team is led by captains Mara Faiella, Brooke Diaz and Natalie Justice, while goalkeeper Jordyn Ripley-Deminski anchors the defense.