May 12, 2008 06:00 am BASEBALL A big first inning was the perfect scenario for a Pingree team that desperately wanted to achieve its first goal of the season Saturday afternoon. The Highlanders scored four times in the first and held on for a 6-3 win over Berwick Academy to seal their 13th Eastern Independent League title in the last 15 years. "When you get off the bus and put four (runs) on the board right away you put the other team in a hole pretty quickly," Pingree (13-2) coach Chris Powers said. "Taking care of one of the goals is a satisfying thing, and it's just one step. We're trying to get back to the New England tournament and repeat as champions." Senior Ben McLaughlin went 2 for 3 with a solo homer and three RBIs to lead Pingree, while Dillon Vassallo and Mike Lamothe each had one hit and one RBI. Senior Jesse Sullivan allowed three hits and no runs over six inning while striking out seven for the Highlanders. Swampscott 4, Salem 1 The Big Blue hung a four-spot on Salem's ace Harry Noone and got solid pitching from John Beaulieu to wrap up their fourth win in six games. Beaulieu was steady throughout, allowing four hits, one walk, and one earned run in a complete-game effort. He struck out four and handled the Witches with an efficient 78 pitches. Dan Nellhaus led the four-hit first inning with a two-run single, while Hunter Gordon and Dean Dennis each had run-producing hits for Swampscott, which moved to 5-8. Danvers 3, Beverly 0 Bobby Dean went the distance on the hill and held Beverly scoreless to spark the Falcons (11-1) Saturday night. John Gikas launched a solo homer in the sixth to spot Danvers an insurance run while Dean had an RBI single which plated Jake Korthas to open the scoring in the fourth. Matt Lanza got the nod for the Panthers and pitched well despite the loss. BOYS LACROSSE Bishop Fenwick 9, Matignon 3 Pat Doliber scored two goals and added three assists and Eamon Barrett had two goals and two assists as Fenwick rolled on the road. John Baker had two goals and one assist, Joe Flaherty pitched in two goals, and Brandon Ballard scored once for the Crusaders (6-9), who need to win their final three games to qualify for the state tournament. Mike Buonfiglio had one assist and Craig Forrest stopped 18 shots. Masconomet 12, Peabody 8 Mike Pennachio scored four times, Mike Martin had two goals, and Derek West contributed one goal and two assists, but it wasn't enough for Peabody (10-4). Mark Jesi also scored for Peabody, while goalie Justin Famigletti made 17 saves and contributed an assist. GIRLS LACROSSE Governor's Academy 13, Pingree 10 Michaela Colbert and Haley Thompson each scored four goals but it wasn't enough to lead a second half charge by Pingree. Sam Taylor and Liza Richardson each scored one goal, while Liv Whitney finished with 14 saves. BOYS TENNIS Hamilton-Wenham pair advances Junior doubles tandem Nick Petrou and Ian McCracken topped pairs from Chelmsford, Swampscott and Burlington to advance in Saturday's opening action of the state individual tournament. It will be the first trip to the next round for neighbors McCracken — who is playing high school tennis for the first time — and Petrou, who played singles last season. BOYS TRACK & FIELD Beverly's Norris defends crown Panthers senior Brendan Norris took the 800 title in Saturday's Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association Invitational for the second straight season with a 1:57.81 effort. Running at Durfee, Norris sprinted out ahead of the field and used his unique combination of speed and endurance to stay in front for the duration. Beverly thrower Juan Moran turned in a strong performance in the discus. Joining Norris as a winner was St. John's Prep's Matt Chitro, who captured the intermediate hurdles in 40.65. Chitro, a senior captain, elected to come home early on prom night to compete in the meet. His time was a personal best. GIRLS TRACK & FIELD Panthers tops in relay Monica Adler, Millie Chapman, Kelly O'Connor, and Maddy Wrable combined to run a 9.49.9 to win the 4x800 relay at the State Coaches Invitational at Somerville on Saturday. Wrable added a second in the 800 (2:21.41), Adler was third in the mile with a new school record (5:09.79), and O'Connor took fifth in the 2-mile (11:26.23). MEN'S COLLEGE LACROSSE Endicott 15, Lasell 3 The Gulls decimated Lasell in the ECAC championship game to earn the first New England championship in school history. Hat tricks from Beverly's Eddie O'Reilly, Danvers' Brandon Dube and Brad Lipkvich helped Endicott outscore Lasell 13-1 over the game's final three quarters as the squad finished the year 18-3 to set a new school record for wins. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Cortland 3, Endicott 1 Cortland scored twice in the top of the seventh send the Gulls home a game shy of the NCAA regional championship. The teams entered the final inning thanks to Merry MacDonald's game-tying solo homer and a masterful pitching performance from Maria Mangine, who held Cortland hitless through four innings. Endicott ends the season with a school record 41 wins and saw MacDonald, Mangine and Rachel Pearson earn All-Tournament honors.
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