Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, April 11, 2025 SOFTBALL | FROM PAGE 11 ~ Saugus High School Sachems Sports roundup ~ SAUGUS BASEBALL TEAM OPENS SEASON WITH TIE, SHUTOUT VICTORY By Dom Nicastro The Saugus High School baseball team opened its 2025 campaign with a tie and a dominant win in back-toback outings last week. The Sachems opened at home against Swampscott on Wednesday, April 2, battling to a 3-3 tie that was suspended due to lack of lights and will be resumed at a later date. Junior Cam Soroko started on the mound and delivered four strong innings before giving way to senior captain Cam Bernard, who pitched the final three. Saugus fell behind 1-0 in the second inning but responded with a three-run fourth, highlighted by key at-bats from senior captains Danny Zeits and Ty Riley. Swampscott tied the game in the top of the fifth, but Bernard settled in and kept the Big Blue off the board the rest of the way. Two days later, Saugus bounced back in convincing fashion with a 10-0 shutout win over Winthrop in a Northeastern Conference matchup. Sophomore Brayden Crawford was lightsout, throwing a complete game with 14 strikeouts, three hits allowed and just one walk. “He was attacking batters and getting ahead early,” Saugus coach Mike Mabee said. “And the funnest part of the day – as I’m sure I speak for any Sachem fans watching – was watching him compete his tail off for seven straight innings.” Every player in the Saugus lineup reached base. Soroko went three-forfour with an RBI and a stolen base, while Bernard reached base all five times with a one-for-one day at the plate, four walks and an RBI. Saugus continues its season this week with a road game at Masconomet on Wednesday (after press deadline) and a home matchup against Gloucester on Friday. SAUGUS GIRLS TENNIS TEAM OPENS SEASON WITH 3-2 WIN OVER EVERETT The Saugus High School girls tennis team opened its 2025 season with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Everett, led by strong performances from its senior captains and doubles teams. Senior captain Tameira Klempa-Brown set the tone early with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 victory in her singles match. Fellow senior captain Jennifer Tran battled in a threeset marathon, winning 7-5, 4-6 and 6-1 to help secure the team win. In doubles action, seniors Katie Barletta and Abrianna Perry teamed up for a convincing 6-2, 6-1 win. The Sachems earned the early-season victory through a combination of leadership and competitive drive, setting a solid foundation for the rest of the campaign. SAUGUS GIRLS LACROSSE TEAM DROPS DOUBLE OT HEARTBREAKER IN SEASON OPENER The Saugus High School girls lacrosse team opened its 2025 season with a narrow 8-7 double-overtime loss to Winthrop in an intense road matchup last week. Despite the loss, the Sachems showed promise, with senior captain Tori Carter leading the offense with three goals and an assist. Senior Ashley Rezendes added two goals and one assist, while Brooke Diaz and Mara Faiella each contributed one goal. Teaghan Arsenault also notched an assist. In her first-ever lacrosse game, goalie Jordyn Ripley-Deminski impressed with 20 saves. The Saugus defense, anchored by Paige Millea, Maria Garcia, Caitlyn Dixon, Amanda Rezendes and Deminski, disrupted numerous Winthrop plays and kept the game close throughout. “The entire team played well,” Saugus coach Barbara Guarente said. “I’m looking forward to seeing where we go from here.” Car crashes into Summit Avenue home A 56-year-old Saugus woman drove her 2003 Toyota over a retaining wall and into the porch of a home at 15 Summit Ave. shortly after 9 p.m. Friday, according to Saugus police. “There was significant damage to the car and the porch of the home,” said Saugus Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli. “We do not have a dollar amount on the damage. The driver went to the hospital with a head injury so the officer was unable to get a statement. We do not believe that it was alcohol-related. She was not charged,” the chief said. Initially, it did not appear that the driver suffered any injury, as she got out of the COLLISION WITH A HOUSE: This car launched over a retaining wall and struck the porch of this Summit Avenue home on Friday night. (Courtesy photo of Michael Layhe) car. But she was later transferred to MelroseWakefield Hospital. The car was removed safenerves and the cold – it was in the mid30s by the time the game ended – but she battled.” Alannah Duong continued her hot start with a three-for-three performance. Morello went two-for-three with a walk, while Demonte, McCarrier and Arianna Chianca each contributed hits. On April 4, the Sachems bounced back with a 6-5 win at home against Winthrop in another tight contest. Ventre again starred, going two-fortwo with four RBI, two walks and a run scored. Her first-inning single marked her 100th career hit – an all-time high under Almquist’s tenure. “What makes this so impressive is that Lily has missed 12 or 13 games due to injury, and pitchers tend to pitch around her,” Almquist said. “She is such a humble kid who works so hard and had no idea she got the milestone. I couldn’t be any happier for Lily – she deserves everything she gets.” Saugus scored three runs in the first and added another in the second. After Winthrop rallied to take a 5-4 lead in the third, Ventre delivered the goahead two-run single in the fourth. The game ended in dramatic fashion, as Demonte made a diving stop at third base with two outs in the seventh, recovering to get the force out and preserve the win. “That was a highlight-reel stop for ly without further damage to the house. anyone, never mind an eighth grader, and most certainly saved the game for us,” Almquist said. “She’s a quiet kid who doesn’t exhibit a lot of emotion, and I felt so happy for her when she made that play.” McCarrier earned her second win with a complete-game effort, allowing five runs (two unearned) on three hits and six walks while striking out seven. The Sachems are getting contributions from every class level. Almquist noted that two eighth graders, three freshmen and a sophomore are all seeing regular playing time. “It’s been a bit of a puzzle trying to figure out what pieces fit where, but we will get there,” he said. “What I really like this year is the positivity of the kids as well as the sense of togetherness. The vibe was phenomenal right from day one of tryouts.” Saugus was scheduled to face Waltham on April 8, but the game was postponed due to rain. They’ll look to build on their early momentum this week with games against Masconomet (April 10 – after press deadline) and Gloucester (April 12). “Going 2-1 and winning the week is something I’m very pleased with,” Almquist said. “Every game is going to be a growth process for us. I’m excited to see how things unfold with this group.”
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