The Everett High baseball team did everything right in its delayed season opener last Wednesday in a 24-0 victory over Chelsea.
The contest, which was postponed from Tuesday because of inclement weather, saw Coach Joe Marchese’s Crimson Tide parlay overpowering pitching with some heavy hitting to open their 2011 campaign on a positive note.
Senior Captain Shawn McGrath served notice to Everett’s 2011 rivals that he will be among the top hurlers in Eastern Mass. this season Shawn, who is headed to Division 1 University of Rhode Island on a baseball scholarship, worked four innings and struck out 11 Chelsea batters, while yielding only one walk.
Chris DiNapoli came on to work the fifth and final frame, fanning two Chelsea hitters to combine with McGrath for a no hitter.
In the hitting department, shortstop Matt Cafarella led the way with a five for six effort, including a lead off home run in the top of the first to open the season. Matt scored five runs on the day, drove in two, and socked two triples.
Captain Matt Costello, who will be patrolling centerfield this season, went two for three with two runs and an RBI; junior Captain and catcher Chris McCarthy went three for four with three runs and five ribbies, highlighted by a three run homer; DiNapoli was three for four with three runs and two RBI; and Brian Halfelder was two for four with three runs scored.
McGrath had two hits and two runs scored, while Mike Yebba poled a three run, pinch hit homer in the fifth inning.
Marchese and his crew travel to Methuen tomorrow (Thursday), host St. John’s Prep Saturday at 11:00 at Glendale, and travel to GBL rival Somerville Tuesday morning.