The Everett High baseball team won its opening game of the season and gave first year head coach Joe Lento his first career head coaching victory with a dramatic 7-6 victory over Lynn Classical Monday evening under the lights at Fraser Field in Lynn.
“It was a long night, but definitely a worthwhile one,” said Lento, whose squad was in control of the contest all the way, with leads of 4-0 and 6-3 until Murphy’s Law befell the Crimson Tide in the bottom of the Classical seventh in which the home team scratched out three runs to send matters into extra innings.
However, Everett wasted little time in pushing across the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth, with Mike Vitukevich drawing a bases-loaded walk that forced home Jamel Vilmont with the winning marker.
Lawrence Falter came on to start the eighth in relief of Zerif Pajazetovic, facing just four Classical batters, to earn the save. Pajazetovic turned in a strong effort in his first outing, fanning 15 Classical hitters, to pick up the victory. “Zerif pitched very well,” said Lento. “He was nicked for some infield hits in the seventh that allowed them to tie it, but overall he was in control of the game.”
Shawn Doyle and Vilmont were the principal suppliers of the offensive firepower for the Tide, with Shawn going 3-for-6 on the night, including a double, and Jamel going 4-for-5. “Those two gave us seven hits, which is excellent production from the top of our order,” noted Lento.
Lento and his crew, who learned for certain that they will be playing all 20 games this season on the road because of the ongoing renovation project at Glendale Park, will be back in action Saturday at 10:00 at Methuen. The Tide then will face St. John’s Prep, one of the top teams in the state, on the holiday Monday and will play at Malden on Wednesday.
Girls track team opens outdoor season
The Everett High girls track team opened its outdoor season last week against Cambridge.
Both the Lady Crimson Tide relay quartets brought home first place honors. The 4 x 400 meter foursome of Elsbeth Colson, Wendy Ralon, Tamara Riguad, and Emila Ponikiewski crossed the line in 5:14 and the 4 x 100 squad of Kathy Pham, Yasmin Tejada, Sheryl Steeves, and Djenny Lorjuste sped to victory in 57.5.
A number of Lady Crimson Tide also turned in strong individual efforts. Second place finishers for Everett were: Lena Nguyen in the 400 low hurdles in 1:24.3; Colson in the 100 high hurdles in 18.5; Megan Eugene in the 100 meter dash in 14.2; Ponikiewski in the 800 in 2:58.6; Lorjuste in the 200 meter dash in 29.3; Kathy Pham with a high jump of 4-0; and Caitlyn Winsor in the javelin with a toss of 48-3.
Also adding points to the Everett side of the scoresheet with third place finishes were: Vesna Imsirovic in the 400 hurdles in 1:28.4; Sheryl Steeves in the 100 dash in 14.3; Lena Nguyen in the 200 dash in 30.8; Yarina Pineda-Ramirez in the shotput with a toss of 20-5.25; Pham with a long jump of 12-8; and Melissa D’Haiti with a discus toss of 54-9.
“The girls put forth a good effort,” said EHS head coach Shelanda Irish. “Our 4 x 100 relay didn’t have the best handoffs, but I think they will improve in the next few weeks. Lena Nguyen did a nice job in the low hurdles and in the 200 meter dash This was her first time running these events and she did a good job being able to place for us in both of them.
“Our newcomers to outdoor track, Megan Eugene, Melissa D’Haiti, and Caitlyn Winsor, also were scorers for us in their first track meet,” added Irish.
The girls’ next meet is set for Somerville this afternoon (Wednesday) at Dilboy Stadium.
EHS boys have strong showing in opening meet
Although the Everett High boys track team came out on the short end of its season-opening meet last week against Cambridge, a number of Crimson Tide performers turned in some outstanding performances.
Jason Hansen was a double winner to put 10 points onto the EHS scoresheet, capturing the 400 meter dash in 60.8 seconds and winning the triple jump with a hop, skip, and jump of 31-0 feet.
Trevor Freeman placed first in the 100 hurdles in 19.6. “Trevor looked great in the 100 hurdles despite slightly hitting the ninth hurdle,” said EHS head coach Shelanda Irish. “But he was able to regain his sprinting form to get first place.”
The 4 x 400 relay quartet of Tuan Vo, Edwin Gonzalez, Wilbienly Joseph, and Hieu Vo- Tran sped home to a first place victory in a time of 4:40.
Hieu Vo-Tran earned six points for the Tide with second place efforts in the 400 low hurdles in 1:11.8 and high jump with a leap of 5-6. Also finishing in second place for the Crimson Tide were: Jamaal Jeanty in the 100 meter dash in 11.6; Edwin Gonzalez in the 400 in 62.3; Grandhi Deris in the 200 dash in 24.4; Justin Gabriel with a discus twirl of 82-10; and Steven Ho with a javelin throw of 122-6.
Also contributing points to the Everett cause with third place efforts were: Jose Gonzalez in the 400 in 64.8 to complete an Everett sweep of that event; Felipe Andrade in the 200 in 24.8; Ricky Phan with a shot put heave of 31-10.75; Lorentz Etienne with a long jump of 17-5; Stephen Carlin in the 400 hurdles in 1:17.9; and Justin Gabriel with a javelin toss of 102-6.
“I thought the boys performed well in their first meet,” said Irish. “Jason Hansen won two events for us and led us to a sweep in the 400. Hieu Vo- Tran performed well in the 400 hurdles, running it for the first time. He had very little practice this season in the high jump and did very well.
“Stephen Carlin is doing fantastically in both hurdle events for us and I think he will continue to improve this season,” continued Irish. “All three of our boys in those events will push each all season.”
The next meet for the Crimson Tide is set for today (Wednesday) against Somerville at Dilboy Stadium.
Talia Riccioli named GBL all-star
Freshman Talia Riccioli was named to the Greater Boston Leaguer all-star girls basketball team. Talia was the lone member of the Lady Crimson Tide to earn the honor.
“Talia had an excellent season for us and her selection as a GBL all-star is well deserved,” said EHS head coach Tammy Turner.