A Saturday morning baseball game at Seaside Park – that’s just what the doctor ordered.
Host Marblehead (8-4 Northeastern Conference) celebrated its Senior Day in style, taking care of Lynn English, 12-5, to improve to 12-5. The Bulldogs dipped to 7-9.
For the Magicians, who plated six runs in the third inning, Brooks Keefe led the way, going 2-for-4 with three RBI. Other contributors were Riley Schmitt (2-for-4), Bodie Bartram (2-for-4, 2 RBI), Chris Cannuscio (2-for-3), Charlie Sachs (2 RBI, 2 R), and Colt Wales (2-for-4, 2 RBI).
Matt Mahan did most of Marblehead’s pitching, going four innings with four punchouts and just three hits allowed. His team outhit English, 13-6, and committed one less error (3-2).
As for the Bulldogs, they were led by Wilfredo Perez’s hit and two RBI.
BASEBALL
Marblehead 5
Winthrop 1
Marblehead got off to a fast start, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning before adding insurance runs in the fifth. Chris Cannuscio (3-for-4, RBI) went seven innings on the mound, striking out seven and allowing just two hits and one earned run.
GIRLS TENNIS
Marblehead 3
Lynnfield 2
This one was back and forth, but for those who have watched these programs this spring, they probably weren’t surprised. Ultimately, Marblehead’s magic worked on the Pioneers in a third-set tiebreaker.
The Magicians received a singles win from Sami Dosch. From there, Aoife Bresnahan and Lucia Levin took care of things in first doubles, as did the second doubles team of Lani Gilmore and Reese Friendman.
“Our much-anticipated, last regular season match against Lynnfield did not disappoint,” said Marblehead coach Tracy Ackerman. “It was a back-and-forth battle all afternoon. … This match really prepared us for what is to come in the state tournament next week. If we play with as much heart and grit as we did today, then I have high hopes for doing well next week.”
For Lynnfield, Paige Martino and Lily Alves won first and second singles, respectively.
Marblehead 4
Gloucester 1
Despite a Grace Thomas singles win for the Fishermen, they were completely reeled in by Marblehead, which took this one, 4-1.
Maddie Conlon and Sami Dosch cashed in on singles wins, and then it was doubles time. The teams of Aoife Bresnahan-Lucia Levin and Reese Friedman-lani Gilmore each won, 6-0, 6-0.
“This was a solid win for us to get ready for the state tournament in a couple of weeks,” said Marblehead coach Tracy Ackerman. “We look forward to a tough final match against Lynnfield before having a few days to get ready for states.”
SOFTBALL
Marblehead 9
Danvers 2
You could say, what a season Marblehead softball is having. The 15-2 Magicians (11-2 Northeastern Conference), scored another dominant performance from pitcher Tessa Francis.
Francis gave up two runs on six hits, while striking out 14 Falcons. Francis has surpassed 200 strikeouts on the season. On offense, both Hailey Schmitt and Tessa Andriano went 3-for-4. Andriano and Luka Bornhorst recorded two RBI apiece. Ruby Calienes, Sophia Hallisey, and Ashley Mortensen all had two hits each, too.
Marblehead 8
Swampscott 6
Trailing 4-2 heading into the fifth inning was no problem for Marblehead, which stormed back to take one from its traditional archrival. Ruby Calienes went the full seven innings for the win.
Hailey Schmitt and Tessa Andriano singled late, and Sophia Hallisey brought them home on a deep triple and scored on an overthrow to third base. Lyla McGovern went 2-for-3 for the Magicians (14-3).
For Swampscott, Mia Tringale pitched five innings and Olivia Barletta smashed a home run. Other contributors were Maddie Lilley (4-for-4, 2 RBI), Cece C’Connor (3-for-4, RBI), and Luicia Alvarado (2 hits).
GIRLS LACROSSE
Marblehead 17
North Reading 6
Thanks to a five-goal, two-assist, four-ground ball performance from Gretchen Smith, the Magicians (6-11) took home win number six on the season.
Ramona Gillett (3 goals, 4 assists) and Maddie Forbes (4 goals, 2 assists) helped power Marblehead’s attack. Kathryn Commoss, Rachel Delisle, Caroline Scroope, Whitney Jellison, and Avery Wysor all got on the scoresheet, while Molly Bullard made 11 saves in net.
Melrose 14
Marblehead 8
Melrose doubled up Marblehead, 8-4, by halftime before keeping its momentum intact from there. The Magicians’ record dropped to 5-11 as the season dwindles down.
Maddie Forbes (2 goals, 2 assists, ground ball), Kathryn Commoss (3 goals), Avery Wysor (goal), and Molly Bullard (8 saves) played well in defeat.
BOYS TENNIS
Marblehead 5
Newburyport 0
The Magicians protected home court with a sweep of Newburyport. Despite the scoreline, the first and second doubles teams had to withstand pressure.
Junior captain Jayden Janock and junior Leo Winocour beat senior Caden Eiserman and junior Brindley Fisher, 6-1, 2-6, 6-2.
“Jayden and Leo dominated in the first and third sets,” Marblehead coach Elisabeth Foukal said.
Then, in second doubles, Marblehead junior Anthony Vizy and freshman Ty Cooper beat Newburyport juniors Sam Brickman and Conner DeMann, 6-2, 7-6, 7-5.
“Marblehead was playing from behind in the second set, but forced a tie-breaker in which they were down 2-5, but won the last five points in a row to win 7-5,” Foukal said.
Gloucester 4
Marblehead 1
In Marblehead for some boys tennis action, the Magicians fell to 12-4 with one match remaining this spring (Monday against Newburyport).
“Minus our No. 1 star, Mika Garber (injury), Marblehead’s reshuffled lineup put up a good fight. Etan Farfel stepped up to the No. 1 spot and took the second set to a tie-breaker,” said Marblehead coach Elisabeth Foukal. “Our only win was in second doubles where freshman Alex Boehning and Ty Cooper prevailed in two tight sets.”
BOYS LACROSSE
Marblehead 10
Lexington 8
Finn Gallup made 13 saves to keep the closely-contested game a win for Marblehead. Gio Garibotto led the way with three goals and two assists, followed by Cam Waldman’s hat trick, Will Sullivan (goal, assist), and Greg Motorny (goal, assist).