Marblehead pitcher Tess Francis struck out 18 batters – yes, 18 – and allowed just three hits in her softball team’s 11-0 win against Salem Tuesday evening.
Clara Donovan, Ruby Calienes, Nora Mahan, Isabel Mortensen, and Hailey Schmitt provided the big hits for Marblehead, which improved to 11-2 with the win.
But earlier in the week, the Magicians officially clinched a spot in the postseason thanks to a 2-0 shutout win against Wakefield. Catcher Luka Bornhorst threw out two runners and went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and an RBI. Isabel Mortensen went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Then, in a Marblehead-hosted showdown with Saugus, the Magicians picked up another win, 1-0.
“It was a great game by both teams,” said Saugus coach Steve Almquist. “Our pitcher, Taylor Deleidi, pitched magnificent.”
It’s true. She struck out two and allowed just seven hits against a dynamic Marblehead offense, and walked no one. Ava Rogers went 1-for-3 to lead the Saugus offense.
“I’m extremely happy with how we played,” Almquist said. “Hopefully, this gives us some momentum.”
But, in the end, it wasn’t enough to top Marblehead. Francis gave up just two hits, while striking out 12. Ruby Calienes, Hailey Schmitt, and Francis all had two hits, while Kate Andriano went 1-for-2.
“A pitchers’ duel that saw neither pitcher draw a walk,” said Marblehead coach Johnny Gold.
BOYS TENNIS
St. John’s Prep 5
Marblehead 0
Those who have watched boys tennis this spring know about Marblehead’s skillset, but Tuesday evening, the Magicians were no match for The Prep. John DeAngelis, Jack Prokopis, and Luke Free served up singles wins, while Luke Prokopis and Mark McDuffee won first doubles and the duo of Alex Melville and Wade Evitts did so in second doubles.
DeAngelis’ win came against Mika Garber of Marblehead, who never gave up, according to coach Elisabeth Foukal.
“Mika left his heart on the court,” she said. “He was up, 5-2, in the first set and 3-0 in the second… Mika never gave up and almost turned the match around. [It was] wonderful tennis from these two players.”
Marblehead 4
Beverly 1
Clear skies, and a clear path of victory for Marblehead. Last season’s Northeastern Conference Most Valuable Player, Mika Garber, and Anthony Vizy cruised in singles for the Magicians, while the doubles duos of Alex Boehning-Filip Wabno and Kelly-Austin Bacon were also victorious.
St. John’s Prep 5
Xaverian 0
St. John’s Prep took care of its traditional archrival with relative ease in a 5-0 sweep. Third singles Luke Free didn’t drop a game to Xaverian’s Kingston Chansyna.
Marblehead 3
Gloucester 2
Another match, another victory for the Magicians.
In first singles, senior captain Mika Garber beat senior Andry Paean Sosa. As for second singles, Etan Farfel took care of senior Anders Pittman. Then, it was junior captain Jayden Janock and junior Leo Winocour getting the better of seniors Cole Cubino and Dom Paune (6-1, 6-1) to seal the deal for Marblehead.
BOYS LACROSSE
St. John’s Prep 10
Lincoln-Sudbury 6
The Prep (12-1) avenged its first loss of the season with a four-goal win against Lincoln-Sudbury (7-5). Better yet, “It felt good to play lacrosse in nice weather,” as said by Eagles’ coach John Pynchon.
Cam McCarthy delivered with a hat trick, Ben Merena tucked two more, and Andrew Klein, Nick Schibli, Ryan De Lucia, and Charlie Angle played aggressively, according to Pynchon. Max Putney saved all four of his shots against, while Jack Doherty and Will Crawford combined to win eight face-offs.
Staples 8
St. John’s Prep 3
Staples (Westport CT) took advantage of its home turf Saturday, handing the St. John’s Prep laxmen (10-1) their first loss of the season.
“The Wreckers exposed the Eagles in all facets of the game and capitalized on numerous St. John’s mistakes throughout the contest,” said Prep coach John Pynchon.
Jake Vana led the Eagles with two goals. Josh Haarmann added another, while Madden McGowan dished out an assist and Jack Doherty won eight of 15 face-offs.
Marblehead 16
Danvers 3
The Magicians made quick work of the Falcons at Piper Field. Marblehead led 9-2 at halftime and added seven more in the second half to cruise to victory.
Marblehead’s Will Sullivan registered a hat trick, while Charlie Grenier scored two goals and provided two assists.
Late in the fourth quarter, James Achterhof scooped up a ground ball in the Magicians’ third, ran past four defenders, then fired a shot past the Falcons’ goalie for Marblehead’s 16th goal.
Brady Tersolo scored a goal and provided an assist for Danvers.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Woburn 15
Marblehead 9
The Magicians (4-8) couldn’t get the job done at Woburn, falling 15-9. Marblehead’s attack was led by Maddie Forbes (3 goals, assist), Ramona Gillett (2 goals), Kathryn Commoss (2 goals), Gretchen Smith (2 goals), and Caroline Scroope (assist). Molly Bullard made five saves.
Reading 14
Marblehead 4
Marblehead held its own in the second half as each side scored three goals, but an 11-1 halftime deficit was too big of a hole to climb out of against visiting Reading on Saturday.
Ramona Gillett led the Magicians with two goals, followed by Gretchen Smith (goal), Kathryn Commoss (goal, assist), and Maddie Forbes (assist). Molly Bullard made eight saves.
Danvers 13
Marblehead 12
Marblehead (4-6) held a 7-5 halftime cushion in this one, but couldn’t pick up the road win in Danvers. The Falcons flew away in an offensive afternoon, 13-12.
Kathryn Commoss scored four goals for the Magicians, while Maddie Forbes added three, plus two assists and six ground balls. Other contributors included Ramona Gillett (goal, assist), Gretchen Smith (2 goals), and Avery Wysor (goal, assist, GB).
BASEBALL
Marblehead 7
Gloucester 1
After going 12 innings against Gloucester on Friday, the two teams met again Monday, and this time, the Magicians (8-4) made sure they didn’t need extra innings.
Matt Mahan got the win on the mound for Marblehead, pitching four innings. Stefan Shepard went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and one RBI. Charlie Sachs was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
“Timely hitting and solid pitching have been the key,” said Magicians’ coach Mike Giardi.
Marblehead 7
Saugus 4
Although the home team, due to poor field conditions, Saugus had to go to Seaside Park to “host” Marblehead in a Northeastern Conference rival game.
Marblehead’s (6-4) Matt Mahan went 3 2/3 innings, striking out four Sachems, but it was junior Carter Sahagian who earned the win on the mound. On offense, Bodie Bartram went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.
GIRLS TENNIS
Danvers 3
Marblehead 2
Danvers received all three of its wins at singles. For Marblehead, first doubles, Aoife Bresnahan and Lucia Levin, took care of business 6-1, 6-3. The second doubles duo of Lani Gilmore and Reese Freedman followed suit, winning 6-2, 6-3.
“Danvers’ program has shown significant improvement the last few years. It’s great, as it brings the quality of tennis up for everyone in the conference. Sami Dosch (third singles) had to battle for every point… falling just short,” said Marblehead coach Tracy Ackerman. “Our doubles have been keeping us in matches all season long, and today was no exception. First doubles remain undefeated in the conference, and second doubles are also finding their groove.”
Marblehead 5
Gloucester 0
The Magicians (4-3) scored the sweep over the Fishermen. Aviva Bornsteins won her match by default, while Sami Dosch and Nina Johnson didn’t drop a game in their respective matches.
First doubles Reese Friedman and Lani Gilmore cruised past their opponents 6-1, 6-1. Second doubles Caroline Bruett and Sarah Munroe rounded up the sweep with a 6-1, 6-0 victory.
“It has been a great week winning three in a row, and I have been able to get the whole roster in for varsity match experience,” said Marblehead coach Tracy Ackerman. “We have some upcoming tough opponents in Beverly, Danvers, and Newburyport, so I’ll be calling on my starters to win some key victories.”