Page 16 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, June 4, 2021 Malden High baseball tops Everett, 7-4, for first GBL win Cohen, McMahon lead way on the mound; Jordan, Ortega and Noelsaint lead offense By Jason Mazzilli T here were two game balls to be bestowed on a pair of players following Malden High baseball's 7-4 win over visiting Everett at Kezer Field in Malden Tuesday. That was due to a superb, "tag team" pitching performance by Golden Tornado junior righthander Shai Cohen and sophomore righty Brandon McMahon. Cohen hurled the first four innings and scattered four hits. A few walks and some great base running by the Everett Gibbs brothers (Brandon, 2-for-4, 5 stolen bases and Brian, 1-for-3, 4 stolen bases) led to some Everett scoring after Malden had taken a 3-0 lead after two innings. Cohen pitched tough and escaped a pair of situations in the first four innings where Everett could have potentially tacked on more runs. "Shai (Cohen) has done an excellent job in both of his two starts," said Malden High 5thyear head coach Steve Freker. "Today we backed him up with some scoring and all-around excellent defense." McMahon came on in relief to start the top of the fifth inning and was simply dominating. The big 6-2, 200 righty tossed all zeroes over three complete innings, allowing just one hit, walked two and struck out seven. "What a job Brandon did, but it's really no surprise, because he's been doing it all year," Coach Freker said. "His earned run average is 1.25 and he has allowed only five hits in 12 innings of relief so far. He's really PING-PONG | FROM PAGE 3 on Mondays through Thursdays. “Many elders have been so excited about this,” said Du. “They have been asking me for months when we’ll get this program started.” “Many in our community – including Asian American elders – have been eager to find recreational opportunities after a year of lockdown,” said GMAACC Program Director Dr. Jenny Hsi. “With more people getting vaccinated and restrictions being lifted, we are excited to provide The tag team pitching of junior Shai Cohen, right, and sophomore Brandon McMahon, left, carried the Golden Tornados baseball team to a 7-4 win over Everett in Malden on Wednesday.(Advocate Photo) given us a chance to win in all of the games he's appeared on the mound." With the win, Malden improved to 2-4 overall, 1-2 in the Greater Boston League (GBL). Everett is still seeking its first win. A big reason for the victory on Wednesday was the standout defense Malden played. It has been a rough patch until then for the Tornados, who a safe and healthy way for folks to gather.” About the Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition GMAACC is a grassroots, community-led nonprofit that builds power with Asian American community members of the Greater Malden area. Its work includes providing direct services, strengthening coalitions and organizing to advocate for community well-being and equity. have gotten very good pitching each time out, but a poor defensive showing nearly every game, with too many errors. On Wednesday, there was only one defensive error and plenty of great defensive plays. Malden fans got a glimpse of what to expect in the very first inning when senior captain Mike Mathes made a spectacular catch in centerfield, on a full run and dive, going to his right. "Mike (Mathes) saved two runs right there," Coach Freker said."That was one of the best outfield catches ever made by anyone I've ever coached," added Coach Freker, who has coached over 600 high school games in all. Malden's middle infield of senior captain and shortstop Liam Jordan and junior second baseman Shawn Bartholomew also played strong all game, making every play on a succession of hard-hit balls by Everett batters. Senior captain Clifton Noelsaint made one of the plays of the game when he nailed an Everett runner at the plate with s perfect throw from left field to junior catcher Aidan Jordan, who applied the tag and stamped out a Crimson Tide rally, "That was a huge play. They (Everett) had just taken the lead (4-3) for the first time and that run would have given them a bigger lead," Coach Freker said. Malden came right back with a big rally in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring three times with two out to re-take the lead at 6-4. After junior Luke Zubryzicki and Mathes drew key walks to start the inning, junior Sam Ortega (2-for-3) laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move up the runners. Junior Solarzano mashed an RBI single into centerfield to score both runners, and Liam Jordan then hit a bomb triple way over everything to onehop the fence in deep left field to Malden ahead, 6-4. Malden added an insurance run in the sixth inning when Mathes walked, stole second and then stole third, scoring when the throw down went into left field making it 7-4 Malden. McMahon took the reins and steered Malden to the win, striking out four of the last five batters he faced. ***** Malden dropped a 5-2 nonleague game on the road to Greater Lawrence on Tuesday and now faces one of the busiest schedules in the state. On Friday, Malden is on the road for a GBL game at Somerville (Trum Field, 4:00 p.m.). On Saturday, Malden hosts Greater Lawrence at Maplewood Park at 9:30 a.m. Back in action next week: Malden plays at Chelsea in a GBL game Monday, June 7 at 4:00 p.m. On Tuesday, June 8 Malden stays on the road with a nonleague game in Brighton against St. Joseph's Prep. Malden hosts GBL opponent Lynn Classical at Kezer Field/ Pine Banks on Wednesday, June 9 at 4:00 p.m. ~ Letter-to-the-Editor ~ Resident seeks answers to Trafton Park issues Dear Editor, I am writing as to the article in last week’s Malden Advocate regarding the Trafton Park renovations. First, I would like to say the Tot Lot looks wonderful. Dedicating it to long time Malden resident Joan Callahan was so deserving of her. The issue I as a resident of ward 6 am having is the plan we as residents were shown last year by both councilors (David) Camell and (Stephen) Winslow was not what has come to fruition. The field at Trafton Park has been left in deplorable condition. Please, councillors Camell and Winslow; where did this $400,000 go to? The crown jewel of Maplewood has been left in complete disarray and cannot be used by the children of Malden in any way. As residents, this is not what you both put forth to us. Leaving Trafton Park unusable this season is unacceptable. I have text Councillor Winslow multiple times and you choose to ignore them. I have requested a meeting with you both to discuss these issues and Councillor Camell, you flat out denied me and the residents of ward 6 any meeting to discuss these serious issues. Thank you, Kevin Larson 58 yr. Resident of Malden
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