THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JunE 6, 2025 Page 17 OBITUARY Crimson Tide baseball turns the corner for a brighter future After finishing up with three wins and a couple of close losses, Everett sophomore ace pitcher Derek Soper makes the GBL all-star team By Joe McConnell S ophomore Derek Soper is the lone Greater Boston League (GBL) all-star on this year’s Everett High School baseball team. “I’m so proud of him, and I can’t wait to see him only get better the next two years,” said coach Malik Love of Soper, who also plays AAU baseball in the off-season. The Crimson Tide finished up the season with an 8-12 record, just missing the postseason by two games. They lost seven out of their last eight games, but two of them were just by one run. If they were able to turn those close losses around, they would have qualified for the Division 1 state tournament, which would have been a good thing for the seven returning players on the roster. They would have had a taste of what it’s like to play beyond Memorial Day. Ironically, in both those one run losses, Soper was on the mound. He was the ace of the staff, who was responsible for three of the team’s wins this year, including the last game of the season against nonleague Greater Lawrence, when he shut out the Reggies, EVENTS | FROM PAGE 16 a good story? Sharing it with friends! Join Miss Val at the Shute Library for Fairytale Fun! Master Builders: Lego Freeplay: Shute Children’s Room, Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. Free play session with Legos and other building blocks. Bring a buddy or make a new one as you explore your imagination brick by brick! We provide the space and the materials to let your vision take shape. What will you create? 4-0. Overall, he ended up with a 3-3 record. “It was a great way to finish the season,” said Love after the Greater Lawrence game. “We were able to send our eight seniors off the right way, and hopefully we will be able to use this win to roll into next year with the guys coming back and coming up from the JVs.” The next two years is shaping up to be quite promising for Love’s team, led by not only Soper on the mound, but also current freshman M.J. Freni, who will be back throwing strikes, once again. “(Soper and Freni) were our two best pitchers this year,” said Love, who says he hopes this resurgence of young talent that’s now in the program will keep future Tide players in the city playing for their local public high school. Both of these underclassmen will be among those seven aforementioned returnees on next year’s varsity team, along with at least several more, who are ready to make the leap from this year’s JV squad. It definitely has the potential to be the beginning of a new age in Crimson Tide baseball. “It was a great season for us Around Everett Connolly Center Book Group: Connolly Center Meeting Room, Thursday, June 12, at 12 p.m.; a discussion of “Same Time Next Summer” by Annabel Monaghan. Mindful Miles: Shute Front Door, Saturday, June 14, at 8 a.m. Start your day in a mindful way by joining us for a relaxing morning walk around Glendale Park. Intended for ages 18 and up — no registration is required. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net in terms of the growth in the overall program,” said Love. “Our eight seniors helped out considerably in this process. They took a step in the right direction to become solid varsity players, while also teaching the younger players what it’s like to play on this level.” Love’s eight graduating seniors were Albert Santana, Isaiah Goffigan, Jevaun Berberena, Nordeivy Santana, Reinaldo Santiago, Chris O’Neil, Jose Portillo and Manny Santago. “These seniors meant a lot to the program the last four years,” said Love. “They all brought that leadership and commitment to the team with their great (renewed) attitudes, and I’m excited to see how the next chapter in their lives turn out.” O Jyoti Maini neral Home, 65 Clark St. (Corner of Main St.) Everett, Saturday morning, May 31, 2025. Services concluded at the Woodlawn Cemetery Crematory, 302 Elm Street, Everett. f Everett. Entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 in the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston after a brief illness. She was 33 years old. Born in Punjab, India, Jyoti lived in Everett for short while. She worked for LaMarca Bread Company as an order taker. Jyoti was the beloved wife of Nitish Kapoor; the dear and devoted daughter of Prem Nath and Neena; the loving mother of Tisha Kapoor; and the dear sister of Rishav Maini. Jyoti’s Hindu service was held in the Cafasso & Sons Fu
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