SHS Sachems Sports Round-Up

By Dom Nicastro

Saugus baseball opens with win

The Saugus High School baseball team opened up the season with a 4-0 win over Shawsheen Tech on the road on April 2. Cam Soroko was the winning pitcher, going the distance while allowing just one hit in his shutout performance while racking up 11 strikeouts and only two walks. Talk about a debut.

Shane Bourque had two hits and two RBI for Saugus. One of his hits went for a double.

Saugus travels to Salem Friday, April 5 at 4:30, hosts Northeast Metro Tech Monday, April 8 at 4:45 and then hosts Masconomet Wednesday, April 10 at 4:30 p.m.

Saugus track aims high

Joseph Alba, three-year coach of the Saugus girls track outdoor team, takes his team onto the track this season with high hopes. “I have a very great coaching staff that is a huge help.” Alba said. “Norma Waggett, who is the head JV girls basketball coach at Saugus and also has experience at the college level with basketball and track, and Kevin Martin, who is one of the assistant indoor track coaches at Saugus with prior coaching experience in Beverly. Also on staff is Edlyn Santos and Paul Doucette, who are both returning coaches that specialize in throwing events.”

The boys head coach is Steve Cummings, who is the football head coach at Saugus.

“As a coach my main goal for my girls is to always be confident and never lose faith in themselves,” Alba said. “We are a small team, as we only have 16 girls on our roster, so as a small group, I feel like it’s easy to lose confidence considering some of these girls are competing in events they have never done before. We lost a lot of seniors last year so we are in the middle of a regrowth year, but we had a lot of achievements last season, especially from our two senior captains.”

“Madi Femino, who is a three-year captain, had personal records… and Jessica Bremberg, who also is a three-year captain, had personal records last season, including punching a ticket to States, where she competed in the 400-meter and triple jump. Jessica also just committed to Saint Anselm’s to run track and field next year.”

Saugus also has some young talent who are returning runners. Destiny Okoye is a standout athlete who made it to States last year. Angie Lopez, who is a captain and standout sprinter, Alesha Bien-Aime, who competes in high hurdles and triple jump, and Soraya Mathieu, who is an eighth-grader that is “as fast as lightning” and very talented, are just a few.

Saugus had its first track meet April 1 against a very well-coached and talented Peabody team. The Sachems lost, 94-38, but Alba was very happy and proud with the way they competed.

“One thing that is standing out to me and is something to look out for this season is our girls 4×100-meter relay,” Alba said. “I believe we have a chance to compete with other teams in the league and also qualify for States. I strongly believe we have a few individual athletes that can qualify for States, and that’s awesome to think considering we are such a small team. I am looking to forward to an amazing season and hope more people will come out and support us this season.”

Saugus girls lacrosse splits first two

Aly Mabee scored twice and Brooke Diaz scored once in a loss to Swampscott, but the Sachems rebounded with an 11-5 win over Mystic Valley on March 29 at home. Nina Penachio had five goals and one assist. Mabee had three goals and one assist. Ashley Rezendes had two goals, and Jessica Valley had one. Penachio, Violet Hawley and Juliana Scalisi are this year’s captains, all seniors.

“Our goal is to make it to tournament,” second-year coach Barbara Guarente said. “We had 37 girls come out for the team this year with half of them playing for the first time. Those numbers will be great for years to come. We will lose seven seniors this year. Last year we improved with the amount of goals scored, games won and tough defense.”