Entering Monday evening’s tennis match, the No. 1 St. John’s Prep Eagles were riding a 42-match winning streak. The only thing standing in their way of another finals appearance was No. 5 Concord-Carlisle.
In perhaps its toughest match yet, St. John’s Prep earned a 3-1 win in the Division 1 Final Four to advance to yet another state championship. One match was left unfinished due to rain interference.
Concord-Carlisle struck first, taking a point at second doubles. But the Eagles tied it with a win at third singles, as Luke Free stayed perfect on the year with a straight-set victory to improve to 20-0.
Rudr Malayya then gave the Eagles a 2-1 lead with another straight-set win at first singles. With rain starting to fall, the Eagles didn’t flinch and secured the clinching point to book their spot in the finals.
The Prep (21-0), helmed by Coach Mark Metropolis, will face No. 6 Lexington (23-1) at MIT for all the marbles this Saturday. Match time is to be determined.
BOYS TENNIS
St. John’s Prep 5
Needham 0
Earlier in the week, in search of another Division 1 title, the top-ranked Eagles (20-0) flew over No. 8 Needham behind singles wins from Rudr Malayya, Jack Prokopis, and Luke Free.
BOYS LACROSSE
St. John’s Prep 11
Westford Academy 5
The second-seeded St. John’s Prep lacrosse team (20-1) advanced to the Division 1 semifinals Saturday morning after taking down No. 7 Westford Academy, 11-5, at Glatz Field in Danvers. Cam McCarthy (2 goals, assist) led the offense, while Owen Williamson and Ryan DeLucia played well defensively.
Will Crawford, William Tappan, Beckett Lee, Luke Kelly, Mac Crawford, Kevin Correa, Bo Minogue, Ryan McCarthy, and Jackson Quigley scored goals for a versatile offense. Mattheus DuPlessis made seven saves and Will Crawford won 16 of 18 face-offs.
BASEBALL
Saint John’s Shrewsbury 3
St. John’s Prep 0
In Division 1 Round of 8 action, No. 10 St. John’s Prep reached the end of the road. The Pioneers plated all three runs after two innings, and their defense took care of the Eagles from there. The Prep defeated Newton South and Wachusett Regional in earlier rounds and checked out with a final record of 14-9.
St. John’s Prep 5
Wachusett 2
Earlier in the week, The Prep kept its Division 1 title chances alive with a 5-2 victory against No. 26 Wachusett. Will Shaheen (6 K) earned the win, while James Willett (K) picked up the save. Offensive damage was done by Tyler Spear (2 H, 3 RBI, R), Connor Durney (H, RBI), Christian McCarthy (RBI), Nicolas Lembo (H, 2 R), Willett (2 R), Shaheen (H), and James DiCarlo (H).
SOFTBALL
Hopkinton 7
Marblehead 1
No. 15 Marblehead trailed, 2-1, through four complete innings, but second-seeded Hopkinton pulled away late and advanced to the Division 2 Round of 8, where it faced No. 7 Westwood. Coach Johnny Gold and his Magicians checked out with a final record of 17-5.
