Page 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, June 14, 2019 Sachems edge past Hawks in first round By Greg Phipps H aving been awarded the fifth seed and receiving a bye entering the Division 3 North baseball tournament, the Saugus Sachems hosted a state playoff game for the first time in three decades on Sunday at World Series Park. The result was a pleasant one for the home team, although it didn’t come easy. The 12th-seeded Essex Tech Hawks, who had advanced past the preliminary round by beating Watertown the day before, gave Saugus all it could handle. The Hawks carried a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth inning before the hosts awoke to tie it with two in its half of the fourth. Several frames later, an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth catapulted the Sachems to a 3-2 first-round triumph. Ace pitcher Todd Tringale, who played mostly in the outfield on Sunday (He also played a crucial role in relief), reached to lead off the eighth after being hit by a pitch. He proceeded to steal second base. Ryan Beliveau then laid down a bunt in order to advance Tringale to third. An errant throw to first by the Hawks’ catcher rolled into right field, and Tringale was able to dash home for the gamewinner. “This was a great game. We hadn’t played in 13 days and our offense struggled to get going. But we were able to pull it out,” Saugus head coach Joe Luis said after it was over. “Their pitcher [Daniel Masta] did a great job. He was outstanding and he really kept us in check. I give Essex Tech a lot of credit. They really competed today.” As further proof of the intensity of Sunday’s battle, a brief scuffle broke out between the two squads during the postAward-Winning Landscaping Servicing the North Shore for over 38 Years Saugus baserunner Anthony Cogliano slid headfirst into third base as third-base coach (and head coach) Joe Luis looked on during Sunday’s first-round win over Essex Tech. Cogliano was called out on the play. (Advocate Photos by Greg Phipps) game handshake. The players were quickly separated and peace was restored. Saugus starter Jason Casaletto stepped up with a solid performance, giving up single runs in the first and fourth inning and working into the seventh. He was relieved by Tringale on two occasions. The most critical juncture was in the top of the fourth, when Tech was looking to add more runs. With the bases loaded and one out, Luis brought in Tringale, who induced a strikeout to end the inning. But catcher Jackson Stanton made perhaps the biggest play when he picked off the runner at third for the second out. Casaletto would retake the mound to start the fifth before turning it over to Tringale again after a double put a Hawks runner at second base to open the seventh. “When it’s a single elimination tournament, you’ve got to do everything you can to win,” Luis said. “Jason pitched great and I was able to use Todd to put out two fires.” Saugus tacked on its two fourth-inning tallies when Stanton and Jack Devereux both singled and eventually scored on an error. Offensively, Jack Devereaux and Anthony Cogliano both finished with three hits. All told, the Sachems stole 11 bases and smacked 10 hits. Asked about hosting a home tournament game for the first time in many years, Luis said it gave the Sachems a real boost. “It was great to give the fans and the community a home game and not have to travel,” he responded. “The support today was fantastic. They really helped will us to the win.” NOW BOOKING NEW CUSTOMERS! DON’T WAIT! Call 781-321-2074 Pavers * Walkways * Patios * Driveways * Pool Decks Planting * Perennials * Shrubs * Trees New Lawns * Sod * Hydroseed Flowers/Annuals/Mums * Conventional Seeding * Synthetic Complete Maintenance * Cleanups (Spring & Fall) * Lawn Cutting, Edging & Weeding * Lawn Fertilizer Programs * Trim & Prune Shrubs * Mulching, Thatching Interlock Block * Fire Pits * Sitting Walls * Pillers Landscape Lighting * Design * Install * Repair * Night Illumination
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