EHS Baseball Team Edges Charlestown, 10–9, on Grand Slam by Lara
“It ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” said baseball legend Yogi Berra.
The Everett High baseball team learned the truth of that axiom, displaying what head coach Joel Levine termed “mental toughness,” to win an exciting, down-to-the-last-out, come-from-behind, 10-9 victory at Charlestown last Friday.
The contest had been a see-saw battle until the decisive final inning.
The Crimson Tide grabbed a 2-1 lead in the fourth thanks to an RBI single by Albert Santana. Another RBI-base hit by David Saia (who was an offensive force for Everett, going 2-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored) and a mix of Charlestown miscues extended the Everett lead to 5-1.
However, the Townies were able not only to battle back, but take a 9-5 lead after a disastrous fifth inning defensively for the Tide, leaving Everett facing a four-run deficit entering the top of the seventh.
After Everett pushed across a run to make it 9-6, Alex Lara stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. Alex wasted little time in the clutch situation, jumping on the first pitch and belting it for a grand slam to boost the Tide back into the lead, 10-9.
Alex, who had come on to pitch in the fifth and held Charlestown scoreless, then preserved the win with another scoreless frame in the bottom of the seventh.
Also playing key roles in the victory were: Omar Marshal (1-for-3 with two runs scored and 4 and 1/3 innings on the mound in which Omar allowed our earned runs); Nordeivy Santana (1-for-4 with two RBI); Nick Gilbert (2-for-4); and Isaiah Goffigan (1-for-2 with a run scored).
“It was nice to get back in the win column with such an exciting finish,” said EHS head coach Joel Levine. “Being mentally tough is one of the points we try to emphasize throughout the course of the season. It would have been very easy for our kids to lay down after such a tough fifth inning, but they battled. Everyone on the team contributed, top to bottom, and Alex came up with such a big hit when our team needed it most.”
In a contest last Wednesday with Greater Boston League rival Revere, the Tide were unable to dig themselves out of an early hole after falling behind 3-0 in the top of the first.
Matt Turilli suffered the loss, giving up six hits and five earned runs in four innings pitched, as his teammates were only able to muster two hits on the day by David Saia and Albert Santana in the losing effort.
“Again, our defense let us down with four errors and we were unable to come up with a big hit when we had runners in scoring position when the game was still in hand,” noted Levine, “Striking out 13 times does not put any pressure on anyone’s defense to make plays, and that is something we really need to get better at if we are going to string together a few wins in the coming weeks.”
Levine’s crew, who now stand at 2-4 on the season, are scheduled to play at Malden today (Wednesday) and will host Somerville on Friday at Glendale at 4:00. They will entertain Chelsea next Monday and trek to Lynn Classical next Wednesday.
EHS Softball Falls to Medford, 7-5
The Everett High softball team dropped its first contest of the season, falling to Greater Boston League opponent Medford, 7-5, this past Monday afternoon at Glendale Park.
The Tide had a chance to break the game open in the bottom of the first, loading the bases with one out, but were unable to produce the timely hit.
“We needed to get these runs in,” said EHS head coach Stacy Poste-Schiavo. “This could have changed the outcome of the game. We had two strong batters up, but we could not produce the hits needed.”
Medford scored a run in the second, but Everett responded with a pair of markers in the bottom of the inning on a base hit by Bryanna Mason, a triple by Arabella Cvitkusic, and a single by Emma Longmore.
The Tide had potential to do some more damage when Emma L. stole second, Emilia Babcock walked, and both runners stole a base to move to second and third. However, both were left stranded.
“Again, we had runners in scoring position and could not get them in,” noted Poste-Schiavo.
The Lady Mustangs struck back with three runs in the third to regain the lead, 4-2, although the Tide made some fine defensive plays. Catcher Kayley Rossi threw out a Medford runner on a steal attempt and Longmore threw out a Lady Mustang at the plate on a grounder with the bases-loaded.
Medford increased its lead to 7-2 in the fifth, although the Everett defense made another amazing play to get a Medford runner at the plate on a relay from Cvitkusic in left field, to Gianna Masucci at short, and to Rossi at the plate.
Everett got one back in the fifth on an RBI base hit by Masucci that scored Babcock. Skane (who pitched all seven innings, allowing six earned runs on nine hits with two walks and four strikeouts) belted a two-run homer in the seventh to make it 7-5, but that would be as close as the Tide would get.
“This loss was a tough one to take,” said Poste-Schiavo. “Their pitcher was a lefty and was hitting the outside corner. We adjusted, but just hit directly to positions. I know that we are a much better team than we showed. Maybe this loss will be a learning moment and the girls will only improve from it.”
The Lady Crimson Tide won both of its contests during the holiday week. Last Friday they routed non-league opponent Boston Latin Academy, 16-0, in five innings.
Skane was brilliant in the pitcher’s circle, allowing just one hit, walking none and fanning seven opponents in five innings of work to record her fourth shutout of the season.
Everett took a 1-0 lead in the opening inning when lead off hitter Emma Longmore drew a walk and made it to third when Emilia Babcock bunted and reached second on an error. Kayey Rossi then delivered Longmore with a double for what would prove to be the game-winning run.
The Lady Crimson Tide erupted for 12 runs in the second inning. Ashley Seward led off the inning with a triple and came home on a base hit by Arabella Cvitkusic. After Longmore drew another walk, Babcock cleared the bases with a three run homer.
After Skane drew a walk and Rossi reached on a grounder that bounced over the shortstop’s glove, both advanced on a passed ball. A double by Gianna Masucci knocked in Skane and then Rossi scored on a passed ball.
After Alexa Uga was hit by the pitch, Ashley Seward dlelivered a home-run, which was promptly followed by another roundtripper by Bryanna Mason. Then with two outs, Longmore hit the fourth Everett homer of the inning.
A base hit by Babcock and a double by Skane accounted for the final tally of the frame.
Seward capped off her career-day — and Everett’s scoring — in the fourth when she delivered her second homer of the day, another three-run roundtripper, that scored teammates Uga and Masucci.
“Latin Academy always gives us a great game,” said Poste. “Last year we beat them 7-3 and the second time around they beat us 2-0. The girls came ready to play. At practice we focused on hitting skills.
“The girls have had to adjust to fast pitching and then to slower pitching,” continued Poste. “Their confidence can be seen with their swings. The defense has been supporting Skane on the mound and once again, Kristi and Kayley Rossi, her catcher, are a great duo.”
Last Wednesday, the Lady Crimson Tide made the short journey to GBL opponent Revere and came home with a 16-3 triumph.
In the pitching department, Skane tossed the first three innings and mowed through the Lady Patriot lineup, striking out nine and allowing only one hit. Sophomore Peyton Warren came on in the fourth and pitched three strong innings in which Peyton allowed three runs on four hits while walking two and fanning one.
Everett took control early, scoring three runs in the top of the first on an RBI base hit by Babcock that scored Longmore, an RBI base hit by Uga that brought in Babcock, and a passed ball that allowed Skane, who had singled, to come home.
Everett rallied for five more runs in the third to make it 8-0, with an RBI base hit by Longmore and Babcock doing most of the damage.
Skane meanwhile, accounted for all nine outs via strikeout, ending each inning with a “K” thanks to her change-up.
“Kristi was on fire with her strikes and her change-up was working perfectly,” noted Poste.
Four more runs by Everett in the fourth, on the strength of an RBI double by Masucci and a two-RBI single by Babock, lengthened the margin to 12-0.
Revere averted the mercy rule with a three-run rally in the fifth, including a home run over the fence, but it only was delaying the inevitable, as the Lady Crimson Tide tacked on four runs in the sixth, with Warren delivering a bases-clearing, bases-loaded double and then scoring on a double by Kassidy Rivera.
“It is always a tough one coaching against former players, Megan O’Donnell and Haley Powers,” said Poste. “They have a young team, but they stuck it out and even got a home run off of us. Skane as always did a great job with Rossi behind the plate. Peyton Warren got some time on the mound with Babcock as her catcher. Our defense was strong once again and backed up the pitching. Our hitting gets stronger each game and I am hoping it continues.”
Poste and her crew host GBL rival Malden today (Wednesday) at 4:00 at Glendale and will trek to O’Bryant High in Boston tomorrow (Thursday). They will make the short trip across the Parkway to Chelsea on Monday and will entertain GBL rival Lynn Classical on Wednesday at 4:00.
Boys Volleyball Tops Somerville
The Everett High boys volleyball team went 1-1 this past week, falling to Greater Boston League (GBL) rival Revere, 3-0, last Wednesday, but then bouncing back to defeat GBL foe Somerville on Thursday morning, 3-1.
The match against Revere started well enough for the Tide. Everett overcame two missed serves early on to pull ahead 9-8, and three serves by junior Hyan Soares tied the set at 18-18. The Tide would get as close as 22-21 before dropping the set.
“Playing without our number one hitter Henrique Franca, we got solid contributions from senior captain Dimitar Dimitrov, who moved over to outside hitter and earned three kills in the set, as did junior middle Kalleb Miranda. Junior Andrew Linhares had a kill, a block, and a ace, and senior co-captain Said Soaib had a kill, a block, and a dig,” said EHS head coach Michael Fineran.
Everett built a 13-6 lead in the second set behind two aces from sophomore Dantae Bauer, six service points from Soares, and three kills from junior Nischal Tamang in his varsity debut. The Tide pushed the lead to 18-11, but could not contain the Revere attack.
“Their servers were tough and they chipped away, taking the set 25-20,” noted Fineran.
Revere kept the momentum in the third set, despite two kills from Linhares and two blocks and a kill from sophomore Jefferson Umana. Four missed serves prevented any comeback for the Tide, who lost the third set 25-13.
However, the Crimson Tide rebounded from that defeat to post a victory the next day against Somerville.
Everett scored 11 kills in the opening set, three each coming from Soaib and Miranda. Sustained serving from Umana and Linhares helped propel the Tide to a 25-17 win.
However, in the second set, the Tide were what Fineran characterized as “a little sloppier and less successful with our attack.” Everett fell behind,19-11, and only a serving run from senior co-captain Roberto Brizuela made the final score, 25-18, feel less like a blowout.
The third set was the closest of the day, as both teams stepped up their hitting and their defense. Everett got a kill from Bauer, three each from Linhares, Soaib, and Umana, and two from Dimitrov, including the set winner, 26-24. Dimitrov was the catalyst in the fourth set, receiving the serve down 13-9 and hitting the next 12 in to put Everett up 20-13. He added two kills and a dig, Miranda had a pair of kills, and Soaib had three more kills, as did Linhares. Digs by sophomore Steve Flores and serves by Brizuela helped Everett maintain its lead en route to taking the set, 25-17, and the match, 3-1.
“I like the way we bounced back the next day,” said Fineran. “Our passes were better, which meant that Bauer’s sets were better, which meant we could be more aggressive.”
Fineran and his crew, who stand at 3-4 entering this week, were scheduled to play at Medford this past Monday and will host Malden for the first rematch of the season today (Wednesday). They will entertain Chelsea next Monday and trek to Lynn Classical next Wednesday.
EHS Girls Tennis Tops Lynn English
The Everett High girls tennis team earned its first victory of the season with a 3-2 triumph over Lynn English in front of a home crowd.
Senior captain Luisa DaSilva, playing at first singles, came through to win a huge victory for the Tide, winning in straight sets, 6-0. 6-1.
“It was exciting to see the confidence in Luisa during this match,” said EHS head coach Courtney Meninger.
BrookeLynn Acevedo also made quick work of her counterpart at third singles with a 6-2, 6-1 victory.
The doubles crew of sophomores Nga Ho and Tracy Pham came up with the clinching victory, winning in straight sets 6-1, 6-0.
“It was a great team win all around,” said Meninger. “Hopefully the girls see the potential we all have as a team and make a comeback this second half of the season.”
The Lady Crimson Tide also played well in their other matches during the past week. In a 3-2 loss to Lynn Classical, Acevedo came up with a sweep, winning her sets, 6-0 and 6-3, and the dynamic duo of Ho and Pham won their doubles match in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.
The Tide fell short in a hard-fought contest to Boston Latin Academy, 4-1, with Ho and Pham coming through again at doubles, winning in two sets 6-1,7-5.
In another close encounter, Everett fell short by a score of 3-2 to Revere.
Junior Alanna O’Brien stepped in and played at third singles for the first time this season and came through with the win, edging out her opponent in three sets, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2. The tandem of Ho and Pham earned their fourth victory of the season, beating their Revere opponents, 6-0, 6-0.
“We have so much potential and I really believe we can pick it up and have a successful second half of our season,” said Meninger, whose squad hosts Malden today (Wednesday) and treks to Somerville on Monday and to Lynn Classical next Wednesday
EHS Boys Tennis Team Tops Revere
The Everett High boys tennis team earned its first victory in three years with a 5-0 victory over Revere last Wednesday.
Bryant Jimenez (1st singles) and Shishir Pokhrel (2nd singles) defeated their Revere counterparts in the singles matches.
The duo of Johnny Pham and Henry Chen prevailed at first doubles) and the tandem of Swarnim Chaudhary and Sushant Shrestha triumphed at second doubles.
Revere was short one player and forfeited at third singles.
“I’m super proud of these young men for their hard work and dedication to improve,” said EHS head coach Greg Bluestein.
Bluestein and his crew play at Malden today (Wednesday) and will host Somerville on Monday and Lynn Classical next Wednesday.