Beverly works its magic on Marblehead

The Beverly girls tennis team rated with Marblehead and Swampscott among the Northeastern Conference teams to beat in the preseason. Beverly's title stock increased considerably yesterday.

The Lady Panthers, led by Sabrina Salmela, posted four two-set victories over previously unbeaten Marblehead in a 4-1 victory that boosted Beverly's perfect record to 8-0.

"It was a big win. They all rose to the occasion today," Karen Corcoran, the Beverly coach, said, noting it was the first time in her seven seasons at the helm that the Lady Panthers had claimed a win over the perennial contending Magicians.

"I told the girls you have nothing to lose and this is your shot. They went after it," Corcoran said. "Our singles players were at the top of their games."

They included Salmela, who won her 34th straight NEC match, 6-2, 6-0, over Adrienne Schenkel, 6-2, 6-0; Meghan Corcoran, 6-0, 6-0, over Amy Mishin; Sophie Blau, 6-2, 6-0, over Morgan Sharrio. Amanda Krugman-Gina Pinciaro of the Magicians won first doubles, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5). Lydia Smith-Ryan Heffrin of Marblehead won second doubles, 6-2, 3-6, 6-0.

The Big Blue (8-0, 6-0) tuned up for Marblehead tomorrow with a match that could have qualified for the Mercy Rule: Jen Cleary, 6-0, 6-0; Yuliya Sergeyeva, 6-0, 6-0; Shannon Toner, 6-0, 6-0, in her first varsity singles; Kara Gilberg-Kate Hall, 6-0, 6-1; Rebecca Ruskin-Jane Malinkovich, 6-1, 6-1.

Ami Ingemi cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 win at first doubles to spark the Crusaders to a sweep over Catholic Central League rival Cardinal Spellman. Vanessa Poirier (6-2, 6-0) and Lizzy Trainor (6-1, 6-0) followed suit at second and third singles, respectively. Fenwick (7-3) also swept the doubles matches behind the efforts of Chrissy Koehler-Courtney Ryan (6-0, 6-1) and Emma Luster-Alexis Fola (6-1, 6-0).

The Generals (5-2) took all three singles matches in straight sets courtesy of Mckenzie Love, Kate Chamberlin and Molly Hines and won their fifth contest of the season. Hannah Hebert and Kelsey Shuka combined to win a doubles match in straight sets as well.

The Falcons hiked their record to 7-3, led by Anna Dokina (6-1, 6-4), Kat Pavlow (6-3, 6-1) and Rachel Gershaw (6-0, 6-0) in singles, and Kristen Parker-Alicia Franklin (6-1, 6-0) and Danielle Kurman-Darcey Cherlin (6-3, 6-0) in doubles.

Garrett Lane extended his individual winning streak to 51 matches as Pingree upped its record to 6-1 (5-1 EIL). Lane prevailed, 6-0, 6-0; Sam Bachelder ruled, 6-0, 6-2; Graeme Johnson won 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), and the doubles were superior with Graham Swayze-Otto Aletter, 6-2,-2; Nick Gram-Andrew Faulkner, 6-2, 6-3.

The Big Blue (9-1, 8-0 NEC) stayed perfect in conference action with a sweep of the Patriots. Alex Hanbury (6-2, 6-2), Brandon Poulin (6-4, 6-3) and Josh Ruskin (6-2, 6-2) combined to take all three singles contests while the tandems of Sam Andler-Chris Kalpin (6-0, 6-2) and Scott Leffler-Brett Jacobs (6-0, 6-2) won the doubles matches.

Playing without the injured Phil Marchwinski, the Falcons won a close match. Karl Bengtsson (No. 1, 6-3, 7-6) and Matt Costanza (No. 3, 6-7, 6-0, 6-1) won at singles for Danvers (3-9), while Kevin McManus and Geoff Wheeler won at first singles (6-1, 7-5), and Bob Fuller and Nick Ochonski won a darkness-shortened match at No. 2 doubles (4-6, 7-5, 10-4 match tie-breaker).

Justin Hyte (6-0, 6-1), Collin Hyte (6-0, 6-0), and Alex Eidelman (6-0, 6-1) breezed at singles to power the Magicians (6-0).

Paul Drinkwater's three-run bomb highlighted a five-run fifth inning which propelled the Panthers (8-4) over Marblehead. The Magicians entered the frame ahead 3-1 but Jack Leathersich's two-run single knotted the score and set the table for Drinkwater's long ball.

It was all the support Leathersich needed, as the senior struck out 16 en route to the win. His lone mistake was a pitch Marblehead's Mike Sahagian took out of the yard for a three-run homer that put the Magicians (4-6) on top. For Beverly, Zak Levine and Franky Mussina each had crucial sacrifice flies to bring in runs.

Peabody, which visits Swampscott tomorrow night, put up four runs in the first two innings, then got shut down by Saugus pitcher Mike Silva. Dan Mello was 1 for 2 with an RBI, Kevin Skop and James Noftle each went 2 for 3 with an RBI while a wild pitch produced the other run. Mark Linehan went six innings (5 hits, 7 Ks, no walks) for a 3-0 record and Pat Dumas notched his third save of the year with two Ks in the seventh.

The Big Blue scored 12 runs with two outs in the second inning to take command early. Ryan Squires (3 innings), Andrew Keeter (3 innings), and Peter Kinchley (1 inning) combined on the shutout. Justin Mitchell went 5 for 5 with two doubles, three singles, and four RBIs.

Swampscott (3-7), which had 16 hits as a team, also received two hits apiece from Chris Cameron, Keith Morgan, and Kinchley.

Ryan Mahan scattered four hits and two runs in his complete-game effort, striking out eight as the Bulldogs improved to 7-4. Catcher J.J. Navas blasted a two-run home run to highlight a five-run fifth inning for the winners, while right fielder Shane Bennett went 1 for 3 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Jesse Sullivan's sacrifice fly scored Pat George with the deciding run in a three-run seventh inning as Pingree (10-2) won its fifth in a row. Lamarre Rey and Ben MacLaughlin both went 2 for 3 with an RBI and George and Dillon Vassallo each were 2 for 4 with an RBI. Emory Parker (2-1) went the distance, scattering eight hits.

Senior leftfielder Kyle Pettoruto rapped a two-out single in the bottom of the ninth inning to score pinch-runner Garrett Folger, enabling the Eagles to pull out a dramatic win and snap a four-game losing streak.

St. John's Prep (7-5 overall) overcame a 3-0 deficit to win it. The Eagles roared back with three runs in the sixth. Trevor Manzi singled and scored on a Danny Haugh triple. Chris Carmain singled in Haugh to slice it to 3-2. Pinch-runner Peter Neal stole second and scored on an error for the 3-3 tie.

Haugh was the winning pitching in relief after taking over with two outs and two runners on in the eighth. Starter Matt Warden allowed three hits and three runs and struck out six in five innings. Mike Yastrzemski pitched well in relief.

Freshman MaryKate Helas belted a two-run triple and finished 3 for 4 with four RBIs as the Tanners (8-2) brushed aside Saugus. Junior Kellie Multner stepped in at third base and had a crucial RBI while Sam Terenzoni had two hits. Nicole Wilson shined on the hill with five strikeouts and no earned runs allowed as all three Sachem scores were unearned.

Beverly's Britney McNeilly tossed a complete-game shutout while allowing only four hits as the Highlanders (5-6) topped BB&N. Kaisy Rosario led the offense with a 3-for-4 effort while Jaimie Cappucci and Grace Steward each drove in a run. Kellie Marshall of Danvers recorded three steals and scored three runs.

Diana Bean pitched a four-hitter and struck out one and senior shortstop Ashley Burnham led off the game with a homer (her fourth of the season) as the Falcons improved to 8-3. Burnham finished 2 for 3 with three runs scored and two RBIs.

Freshman designated player Alicia Dean was also a big factor for the winners with two hits, two runs scored and two RBIs. Caraline Moholland was 2 for 2 with a run scored and two RBIs. Danvers finished with 11 hits.

In light of a serious injury suffered by teammate Kate Evans, who was involved in a one car accident Friday night, the girls voted to play for Kate, Masco coach Kim Marini said. The win upped Masco's record to 10-1, including six in a row.

Brittany Fraser was 4 and 1, Kathleen Ragan and Sydney Godett were 4 and 2 while Maura Brazel and Heather Fraser each produced a pair to lead the way. McKenzie Morris, the goalie, had 14 saves to also star.

Peabody was up 4-2, fell behind 7-4 at halftime, then closed to 8-7 in a late charge in the second half. Caroline Connors had five goals, Amanda Lowry had one goal and one assist and Leanne Broughton had a goal. The loss dropped Peabody to 6-4.

The Spartans of Lynn dealt Bishop Fenwick (10-1) its first loss of the season. Freshman attack Rebecca Graves led Bishop Fenwick with three goals. Amelia Santos, Mary Kelleher, Casey Otovic and Ellen O'Leary each had one goal. St. Mary's took control in the first half, taking an 8-3 lead.

Senior attack Joey Reinold paced Beverly (7-6) with two goals and three assists while Ryan Nolan had two goals and an assist. Ryan Lally added three goals for the winners, who led 8-3 at halftime. Beverly's starting goalie, Kevin Ranta, was injured (leg) early in the game, but Ryan Karp filled in and made 11 saves in what was an outstanding effort.

Masconomet drew within two goals, 8-6, with six minutes left, but Andover put it away with two more goals. Conor Cliffe, Sean Gallagher and Ben Santos each had two goals for the Chieftains, who fell to 9-3. Gallagher also had three assists while Cliffe had one.

John Baker had a pair of goals and Brandon Ballard had one for the Crusaders, who lost to St. Mary's for the first time in three years. Bishop Fenwick dropped to 5-9 overall, 2-6 in the Catholic Central League.

Danvers captain Steve Kontos broke an 8-8 tie with nine minutes to play to lift the Falcons (5-6) to a pivotal NEC win. Eric Sands had a solid day with three goals while Kontos finished with a pair and three helpers. Danvers, which led 6-4 at the half, got single goals from Jay Sabino, Steve Deroche, Ryan Burrige and Mike Parisella.

Eric Fader, Will Beringer and Aaron Reny each scored two goals as Marblehead (6-4) came from three goals down to nip rival Big Blue. Ben Wollersheid scored four times as Swampscott jumped ahead 7-4 before the Magicians rallied. Nick Tobin, Jackson Barber, Mike Cohn and Ellery Smith also notched goals for Marblehead.

Sophomore middie Derek West fired home five goals and added four assists as the Tanners (9-2) rolled to an easy victory. Zack Brown and Mike Martin both had two goals and two assists while Rich Grillo and Mike Pennachio also had two scores. Nick Hiou, Marc Jesi and Luke Moran added single tallies in front of goalie Justin Famigletti (12 saves).

Jack Williamson scored four goals and handed out four assists and Colin Rossano pumped in five goals and dished out two assists to lead the way. The Highlanders (8-4) also got strong games from Taylor Pirie (3 goals, 1 assist), Bobby Adam (2-1), Connor Cash (1-4), Adam Rimmer (1-3), and Ben Coleman (1 goal).

Bishop Fenwick extended its unbeaten record to 4-0 in the Catholic Central League and 5-0 overall. Blaine Thibodeau led the Crusaders with 34 points, Pat Riley had 21 points and Anthony Ricci added 21 points. Stephen Cleary chipped in 18 points.

The Eagles (12-2) bounced back from a game one setback and avenged an early season loss by trumping Haverhill 18-25, 25-17, 25-16 and 25-18. Senior setter Sean Bishop paced the offense with 37 assists and senior outside hitter Phil Ellison notched 18 kills.

Bryan Blanchette was a double winner for Danvers, taking the 200 (24.8) and the discus (129-7). Pat Hennessey won the 100 (12.2) and the shot put (42-2). Kell Salite won the long jump with a 19-1. Danvers improved to 3-2.

On the Marblehead (2-3) side, Jacob Evanter swept the hurdle events by winning the lows in 43.4 and the highs in 15.6. Ben Waller chipped in a win in the mile (5:01).

Jackson MacDonald was a triple winner, capturing the high jump (6-0), long jump (21-43/4), and high hurdles (15.3) as Hamilton-Wenham won meet that was resumed today. Gabe Pacione added wins in the 2-mile (10:08) and 800 (2:02), while Luke Vance (400, 53.8) and August Kawski (300 hurdles, 42.3) had single wins. Hamilton-Wenham (8-0) also won the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. The meet was decided by the 4x400 win.

The Generals improved to 6-2 by winning a resumed meet with a victory in the 4x400 relay. Taylor Smalldone won the discus (103-81/2) and shot put (32-4), while Molly Horn (javelin, 89-10), Natalie White (100 hurdles, 17.2), and Alison Lanois (mile, 5:39) also had wins.

The Falcons stormed back from an early deficit to win a tight meet. Danvers (4-1) got a strong performance from Courtney Godfrey, who qualified for states with a personal best 5:45 in the mile. Christina Montefusco (2-mile, 12:47), Liz Burgess (high jump, 4-9), Christy Kaczynski (400, 62.9), Katelyn Hartnett (800, 2:23), and Maria Pantazelos (200, 28.1) also won for Danvers, which won the 4x100 relay.

Katherine Slattery was a triple winner for Marblehead (3-2), taking the 300 hurdles, 100 hurdles and triple jump. Two other Magicians each won a pair of events: Jessica Burnett (discus and shot put) and Maggie McMullen (100 and long jump).

Photos

Masconomet senior Brittany Harbert returns a volley during her No. 2 singles win over Rockport's Sara Littlefield. The Chieftains swept the Vikings, 5-0. Staff photo