THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 11, 2025 Page 11 GOLDEN TORNADO SPORTS ROUNDUP: ‘Malden Baseball 1, Weather 0’ in 5-4 victory over Somerville McMahon (3-0), Bogan Stead (3 RBIs) power Tornados in GBL opener; Jenkins stays hot for Malden Girls LAX, Boys Tennis wins opener over AC Cougars By Nick Toscani O nly six teams played baseball Monday afternoon in Eastern Mass., three games in all – Malden vs. Somerville was one of them. Despite the cold temperatures hovering in the high 30s and light rain, the Malden High School baseball team got down to business and held off a late rally to top Somerville, 5-4, at Maplewood Park on Monday afternoon. “A lot of teams called off their games, but we really wanted to get the game in so we did not have to run into the issue of 3 and 4-game weeks down the road due to makeups,” said Malden coach Steve Freker. “We just went ahead, our players responded and we got a big league win.” It was the Greater Boston League (GBL) opener for both teams and it matched up the defending GBL champion Somerville and last year’s second-place finisher Malden. Two of the top pitchers in the league were on the mound, and it was hardly a surprise when a pitchers’ duel ensued, with Malden junior righthander Ryan McMahon battling Somerville sophomore righty Preston Ardolino. Malden scored first in the first inning when senior captain Bo Bogan Stead punched a two-run double down the right field line, scoring freshman Davante Layne (walk) and McMahon (walk) in front of him. Somerville tied it up at 2-2 on a two-out double by Colin Born in the fourth inning, but Malden went ahead again in the bottom of the inning when two more runs came across to make it 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth. Malden added one more run in the bottom of the fifth when freshman Joe Ewing hit a sacrifice fly ball to score senior Brayan Jose from third to make it 5-2. McMahon worked five full innings, allowing just one hit, striking out five and walking three for Malden. He gave way to junior on his four-year varsity catcher. McMahon picked up his third pitching win of the season in three tries (3-0) and Malden likewise improved to 3-0 out of the gate (1-0 GBL). *** Malden High School senior captain Bo Bogan Stead (left) discusses the big win over Somerville with assistant coach Phil Cook after the game. (Courtesy/Malden High School Athletics) righthander Billy Gavin, who allowed two hits and struck out four over the final two innings. Malden got one out on defense in Somerville’s last at bat, but the Highlanders managed to load the bases on a hit and two walks; a two-run single followed to cut the lead to 5-4, Tornados. With runners on second and third, one out, Gavin got a huge out when he got Ardolino – who may be the top slugger in the league – to hit a sky-high popup down the first base line for an out, on a great catch by senior Chris MacDonald. Gavin then ended the game by striking out the next batter on four pitches, sealing the win. In addition to MacDonald, Malden also got a strong defensive game from senior Aidan Brett at second base and senior Bo Bogan Stead behind the plate. Stead threw out Somerville runners trying to steal at second base and then at third base at key times in the game. Stead also drove in three runs with two hits. “That was one of Bo’s best games in his four varsity seasons,” Coach Freker said. “At the plate and defensively, he was outstanding. Not one ball got past him and he had to block more than a few. We gave up no extra bases.” “At the plate, he came up big twice for us to knock in some runs,” the Malden coach added, Malden was back in action on Wednesday, hosting GBLer Chelsea for a doubleheader slate. Next week Malden has a busy, three-game week, hosting GBL preseason favorite Lynn Classical at 4:00 p.m. at Maplewood Park on Monday, April 14. On Wednesday, April 16, Malden will host Revere (Maplewood Park, 4:00 p.m.). Next Friday, April 18, Malden will travel to East Boston for a 4:00 p.m. game in the semifinal of the 11th Annual Christie Serino Baseball Tournament. Malden plays Greater Lawrence Tech in the final next Friday, April 25, at 1:00 p.m. at Maplewood Park, Malden. East Boston plays Greater Lawrence in the other semifinal at 10:00 a.m. on April 25 at Maplewood. *** Malden High Boys Tennis wins opening match, 3-1, over Arlington Catholic Head Coach Brian Sou’s Malden High Varsity Boys Tennis squad kicked off its season with a 34-1 win over non-league opponent Arlington Catholic Cougars on April 2. Malden was back in action Wednesday (after press deadline) hosting its Greater Boston League opener vs. Lynn English at Amerige Park in Malden at 4:00 p.m. Malden plays on the road at Everett on Monday, April 14 at 4:00 p.m. *** Tornado Girls Tennis dropped its opener at home to visiting Cambridge Rindge and Latin, 3-2. *** J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. Malden Girls Lacrosse tops Revere in opener, 11-7 Malden senior Jeslyn San scored five goals; Malden High career scoring record-holder Makenzie Jenkins scored three goals, and Nyla Pierre added two goals in a 11-7 Tornado win over Greater Boston Leaguer Revere on the road April 1. Jenkins scored five goals and Pierre added four goals in a 15-8 loss to non-leaguer Winthrop in the Tornados’ home opener versus Winthrop at Pine Banks on April 3. Malden also dropped a tight 11-9 game to GBL rival Everett at home on Tuesday, April 8. *** Malden was back in action and very busy this week, playing both Thursday, on the road at Medford at 4:00 p.m. at Edgerly Field and on Friday, April 11, on the road at Cawley Stadium, Lowell at 5:00 p.m. versus Lowell High. S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping
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