SalemNews.com, Salem, MA Sports

On Baseball: With clean play and solid pitching, Beverly has arrived

2012-06-01T05:05:00-04:00

On Baseball
Matt Williams
BEVERLY — There isn't a lot of flash on the Beverly High baseball team.
The Panthers are simply one of the most fundamentally sound ballclubs in the area — and that attention to detail could have them playing well into the month of June.

Explosive sixth inning moves Falcons past Tewksbury in first round

2012-06-01T05:04:00-04:00

DANVERS— The Danvers High softball team began yesterday's Division 2 North first round state tournament game the same what it started the regular season — slow but steady.
The young Falcons fell behind early against Tewksbury, but after their nerves and butterflies settled down they pulled out a decisive 9-3 victory.

Hovey does it with his bat and his arm in leading Danvers past Woburn

2012-06-01T05:04:00-04:00

DANVERS — It took Scott Hovey 102 pitches to finish off the Woburn High baseball team last night.
His catcher, Joe Strangie, could have told you that would happen before the game even started.
"From the first pitch he threw in the bullpen to warm up, he was on. Honestly, I don't think he missed where I put my glove one time," said Strangie, who was on the receiving end of Hovey's three-hitter last night as Danvers dispatched the visiting Tanners, 4-1, in a Division 2 North first round state tournament game at Twi-Field.

Thursday's area roundup: Swampscott baseball rallies to beat Austin Prep in extra innings

2012-06-01T05:03:00-04:00

BASEBALL
Swampscott 7, Austin Prep 6: Senior Nick Meninno scored from second base on an errant throw by Ausitn Prep pitcher Tyler Finnegan as the Big Blue (15-6) came from behind to advance in Division 3 North and avenge last year's first round loss to the Cougars. Meninno, who got the last four outs pitching to win, led off the eighth with a single, moved to second on a bunt and scored when he broke for third and the throw to second went into the outfield. Austin Prep (11-10) led 4-0 in the second and led 6-4 in the fifth but Swampscott battled back to force extra innings. "Nick got a good read, he was taking the bag and we capitalized on a miscue," said Big Blue coach T.J. Baril. "We chipped away today; we're a senior laden team and those are the kinds of guys you expect to battle back from adversity. They put it out of their minds, played for each other and got the win." Senior Frank Legere had a pair of RBI singles, senior Mike Walsh hit a solo homer and had an RBI single and Justin Perry also drove in a run for Swampscott. Trevor Massey's sacrifice fly scored Bob Serino to keep the Big Blue alive in the bottom of the seventh. Senior Sean O'Brien had a hit and threw 6 2/3 solid innings to keep the Big Blue in it. "OB got us deep into the game and Meninno did a great job closing the door," said Baril.

Ipswich rolls over Tewksbury

2012-06-01T05:02:00-04:00

IPSWICH — The Ipswich girls lacrosse team's attack runs through Natalie Soliozy, and when the junior midfielder has six assists (and one goal) in a game it's a good bet that the Tigers are winning comfortably.

Fenwick baseball knocks off defending state champs in playoff upset

2012-06-01T05:02:00-04:00

NEWBURYPORT — State champions no more.
The Bishop Fenwick baseball team made sure host Newburyport High won't be repeating as Division 3 state champs this spring after the visiting Crusaders went up to Pettingell Park yesterday and knocked off the host Clippers, 6-5, in nine innings.

Local sports schedule

2012-06-01T05:00:00-04:00

TODAY'S SPORTS
HIGH SCHOOL
Boys lacrosse — State tournament, East Division 2 first round: Marblehead at Medfield (2).
Girls lacrosse — State tournament, North Division 2 quarterfinals: Danvers at Winchester (4).

Staunch defense, timely scoring send Eagles soaring in playoff opener

2012-05-31T05:05:00-04:00

DANVERS — Finding offensive consistency has been a season-long quest for the St. John's Prep lacrosse team. Sometimes it's there for a quarter, other occasions it rears its head for a half. But the goal remains to put forth a full four quarters of consistent offensive play.

Area roundup: Prep volleyball rallies to advance

2012-05-31T05:04:00-04:00

VOLLEYBALL
St. John's Prep 3, Lowell 2: The St. John's Prep volleyball team was not expecting to lose its first two sets of the Division 1 North state tournament last night. But like a true championship contender, the Eagles shook off the cobwebs and rallied to win three straight to top Lowell, 3-2, and advance to the sectional semifinals. Lowell won the first two sets, 25-19 and 25-22, before the Prep rallied and won the next three 25-9, 25-20 and 15-9 to take the match. "Being down 2-0, we said 'Don't look at the scoreboard and play every point like it is the last point.' We were a different team after that third game," said Eagles coach Scott Celli. Junior setter Sean Brennan controlled the pace with 44 assists and junior outside hitter Brian Keogh handled the finishing with 19 kills. The Eagles (18-3) will host Methuen tomorrow at 7 p.m. for a berth in the North final. The Rangers upset No. 2 Lawrence last night to advance.

D-poles steady Marblehead to first round win over Triton

2012-05-31T05:04:00-04:00

MARBLEHEAD — Whether it was the humid air, the wet field or a simple matter of stage fright, something wasn't right with the Marblehead High offense in its East Division 2 boys lacrosse first round game yesterday against Triton.