The St. Mary’s baseball team ended a two-game slide Thursday with a 8-4 Catholic Central League win at Lowell Catholic in eight innings. The difference was a four-run St. Mary’s rally in the top of the eighth inning.
“The kids kept on playing,” Spartans coach Derek Dana said. “We were the road team and we were able to push through and get the win. The pitching was very good. It was a combination of eight strikeouts and one walk between three different pitchers.”
Aiven Cabral got the start on the mound and went four innings with six strikeouts, seven hits and three earned runs. Jared Coppola and Terrence Moynihan each pitched two innings in relief.
Cabral helped his own cause at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBI. Colin Reddy (1-for-3) and Lee Pacheco (1-for-4) drove in a run each. Connor Donohue scored a pair of runs and went 1-for-4.
The Spartans (2-2) host CCL rival Bishop Fenwick Monday (4) at Fraser Field.
“We look forward to playing Fenwick every year,” Dana said. “It was nice to stop the bleeding (Thursday). Every game for us has been a walk-off or an extra-inning game. We’re in every game. We’d just like to make things easier on ourselves and plate some more runners.”
BASEBALL
Marblehead 15, Winthrop 6
Ben Weed earned the win on the mound for Marblehead, tossing four innings and allowing two earned runs with six strikeouts. Brady Lavender and Godot Gaskins each had two hits in the win.
Marblehead (2-0) visits English Saturday (1).
Gloucester 2, Saugus 0
At World Series Park, the Sachems lost for the first time this season. Jason Casaletto pitched six innings and had 10 strikeouts in the loss. Saugus (3-1) hosts Winthrop Monday (4).
SOFTBALL
Saugus 8, Northeast 7 (F/8)
The Sachems didn’t take the easy way in this one. Saugus fell into a 6-0 hole before climbing out of it with a late rally. Emma Howard did the heavy lifting offensively with a grand slam and a 2-RBI single, finishing 2-for-3 with six RBI. Alexa Ferraro went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored. Nystasia Rowe went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored, including the game-winner in the bottom of the eighth on Kirby Dalton’s (1-for-1, walk) bunt single.
“It was finally a good game for us to get some runs,” Sachems coach Steve Almquist said. “We fell behind but the kids kept chipping away. Emma’s grand slam was key. It got us back in the game. The kids battled. It would’ve been easy for them to give up. They found a way to get the win and I couldn’t be happier.”
In the circle, Caitlyn Wood went all eight innings and tallied six strikeouts.
The Sachems (2-2) are back on the diamond Monday (4) when they travel to Winthrop.
“Hopefully this win gives us a little bit of momentum going into next week,” Almquist said.
Somerville 21, English 0
The Bulldogs dropped to 1-2 on the season with their second consecutive loss. They’ll hope to bounce back with a win Monday (4) at Malden.
GIRLS TENNIS
Classical 4, Medford 1
The Rams continued their strong start to the season with a Northeastern Conference win. The first doubles pair of Lexi Ferraro and Abby Stafford grabbed a 6-0, 6-2 win. At second singles, Daphne Pineda grabbed a 6-1, 6-0 win.
Classical (2-0) hosts Revere Monday (4).
BOYS LACROSSE
St. John’s Prep 10, Franklin 9 (2OT)
St. Johns was led by senior goalie Alex Kreher who, after allowing six first quarter goals, returned to form and finished with 18 saves — including two key saves in the final minute of regulation and four saves in the two overtime frames. Senior Luke Brennan scored the game-winning goal after a wild back and forth overtime that saw both goalies make stops.
Brennan had two goals in the win, while Pat Keefe and Michael Kelley each had two goals and one assist. Wes Rockett and Michael Ott each had two goals, while Jake Surette and Michael Ayers each had one assist.
The Eagles (6-2) will face Walpole (10-5 winners over Lexington) on Saturday evening (6) at Lincoln Park in Lexington.
Fenwick 11, Pentucket 10 (OT)
Stefano Fabiano netted the game-winner to keep Fenwick (6-0) undefeated. Fabiano finished with two goals and three assists. Nick Muzi (two goals, two assists), Nico Pasciuto (two goals, one assist), Diego Alvarez-Segee (one goal, one assist), Robby Favuzza (two goals) and Kobe Estes (two goals) rounded out the scoring. Goalie Garrett Ruszkowski made 19 saves.
“Stefano and Garrett wouldn’t let us lose that game,” Fenwick coach Steve Driscoll said. “We got up 5-1 in the first and let them back in. I can’t say enough about our leadership in our seniors and captains. It was really a team win all-around with guys stepping up all over the place.”
Fenwick visits Williams Wednesday (4).
Salem 11, Saugus 7
Dom Paolo scored two goals and dished one assist at Salem. Joe Cross (one goal, one assist), Mario Desimone (two goals), Brendan McCabe (one goal), Manny Alvarez-Segee (one goal) rounded out the scoring. Jake Morgante, Jason Caron, Ryan Pugh and Richie Mauro had one assist each. Goalie Derek Martineau had five saves.
The Sachems (2-2) are back in action Monday (4) at Winthrop.