ITEM FILE PHOTO
Mia Nowicki struck out 18 batters – for the second time this season – in the Spartans’ win over Westford Academy.
By KATIE MORRISON
St. Mary’s softball team bounced back from their first loss of the season, dominating Westford Academy in a 7-0 win on the road Saturday.
Spartans starter Mia Nowicki was lights-out. She struck out 18 batters for the second time this season, and allowed one hit in the shutout.
Emily Stephenson led the Spartans offense with three hits, including two doubles, and drove in a pair of runs as St. Mary’s jumped out to an early lead and didn’t look back.
BOYS LACROSSE
St. Mary’s 13, Matignon 12
The Spartans held on for a tight victory over Matignon on Saturday. St. Mary’s jumped out to a 3-0 lead early. But Matignon battled back and the Spartans clung to a one-goal lead at the half. While the Warriors managed to tie the game at 12 late in the fourth, St. Mary’s held on for the win.
Alec Matho led the St. Mary’s offense with five goals and an assist. Nick Napolitano had a strong all-around game with two goals and two assists. Anthony DelVecchio scored three goals and came up with two assists and Nico Scali logged two goals and an assist. Christian Lebert added two assists and Andrew Kreamer chipped in with a goal and an assist.
Malden 10, Lynn 8
After the Jets sailed to a victory at home against the Golden Tornadoes in their season opener, they were defeated by Malden on the road on Saturday in a game that saw both teams fight hard for all four quarters.
Beverly 8, Walpole 7
The Panthers claimed the Creators Crosse tournament championship with a dramatic come-from-behind victory on Saturday.
Down 5-1 with 13 minutes to play, Beverly rattled off six unanswered goals to take the lead with 3:30 to go.
Tied at seven, the Panthers took a timeout with six seconds to play and possession of the ball. Sam Abate netted the game winner with just a second left in the game.
Nick DiLuiso led the Beverly offense with three goals. Hunter Spencer scored twice, Jordan Rawding had a goal and an assist, and Matt Rawding added a goal. Kyle Chouinard played an outstanding game in the midfield, and Harrison Gallagher and Jake Berry were strong on defense.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Bishop Fenwick 14, Archbishop Williams 8
The Crusaders kept on rolling with a win over Williams on Saturday. Merry Harrington led the Fenwick offense with six goals. Tori Hernandez had a nice game with two goals and two assists, Colleen Corcoran netted three goals and Hannah Durkin recorded a goal and two assists, as did Meghan Carney. Teagan Ahern also found the back of the net for Fenwick.
BASEBALL
St. Mary’s 15, Matignon 1
The Spartans rebounded from back-to-back losses with a decisive win over Matignon. Kordell Henriques improved to 2-0 on the mound, struck out five, allowed no walks and gave up three hits. Ryan Turenne had a big day at the plate for St. Mary’s (5-2, 3-1 Catholic Central League), going 4-for-4 with three doubles and five RBI. Matt Costanza went 3-for-3 with a double and a pair of RBI, and Jack Ward came a home run short of the cycle with a single, double, triple and two RBI.
Lynnfield 8, Rockport 5 (9 inn.)
The Pioneers went into the seventh with a two-run lead, but Rockport came back to tie it at five and force extra innings.
In the ninth, pinch-hitter Steve Vaccaro hit a deep triple to start a rally, and was singled in by Kyle Han for the go-ahead run. Mike Stellato added some insurance, smacking a two-run home run and driving in Han.
Fernando Gonzalez got the start for Lynnfield and was strong for six innings, running into trouble in the seventh. Senior captain Nick Colucci delivered an outstanding relief performance, allowing just one hit and striking out six in three innings.
St. John’s Prep 3, Walpole 1
The Eagles rode excellent pitching to the win over Walpole on Saturday. Chris Murphy got the start and allowed just one run on one hit and four walks in his 4 2/3 innings of work. Zach Begin relieved him and tossed 1 2/3 strong innings, allowing just two walks while striking out three. Nolan Webb closed things out with a flawless seventh, striking out two.
Sean McGinnis delivered a big double, driving in two of the Prep’s three runs. Jake Arend went 2-for-3 with a run scored, Frank DiOrio had a hit and scored a run, and Jake Spada drove in a run on one hit. Chris Francoeur reached base twice, on a hit and a walk, and Mike Yarin scored the Eagles’ other run.