BASEBALL
First-round sweep for Beverly
Capped off by a perfect game from starter Pete Kallas in the series' second game, Beverly trumped Hamilton-Wenham, 11-1 on Wednesday, and 13-0 on Thursday, to win the best-of-three series and advance to the second round of the Northeast Senior Babe Ruth playoffs.
During Wednesday's contest, a six-run first inning was sufficient for Beverly, who also scored two runs in the fourth inning and three in the fifth before the ten-run rule took effect.
Starting pitcher Nick Colanto pitched all five innings, allowing three hits and produced one hit himself from the plate. Catcher Conor Walsh had two hits and drove in three Beverly runners.
Hamilton-Wenham's Zach Brown had one hit and scored the team's lone run in the fifth inning.
A single and a double from shortstop Austin Butler (3 RBI) and two hits apiece from first baseman Ethan Trowt (2 runs), right fielder Dan Cook and catcher Dan Cashman helped necessitate the ten-run rule again on Thursday.
Top-seeded Beverly, who posted a combined ten runs in the first innings of the two games, will play the lowest remaining seed in the tournament on Monday at 8 p.m.
BASKETBALL
St. John's Prep 52, Melrose 50
The Eagles advanced to the third round of the North Shore Basketball League playoffs behind ten points from Owen Marthetti. Seventeen points from Andy Scocca were not enough to prevent elimination for the Red Raiders.
Georgetown 64, Newburyport 63
The Royals' Mike Messman tallied 20 points and John Spears recorded 11 points in the victory. Nick Welch (20 points), DJ Grabowski (17 points) and Matt Leavitt (10 points) headed the Clippers offense.
Rockport 59, Manchester 36
Josh Altman scored a game-high 28 points, as Rockport eliminated Manchester. Kevin Corrigan and Andres Centreros posted 12 points and 10 points, respectively, for the Vikings, while Joe Ciccone (10 points) and Alex Porter (9 points) were the Hornets' key contributors.
Gloucester 47, Ipswich 29
A 14-point effort from Adam Philpott coupled with Alex St. Peter's eight points allowed for the Fishermen to advance. The Tigers were led by Doug Shaughnessey (8 points), Aaron Jessen (14 points) and Matt Marsh (10 points).
