Sports 04-29-2015

RhS sports Roundup

Softball team tops Saugus, now 4-1

The Revere High softball team defeated Saugus Friday in its only game of the past week to improve to 4-1 on the season.

The Lady Patriots were forced to start the contest without its MVP pitcher, Sabrina Palermo, who had left earlier in the week with her father to visit Arizona State University, where Sabrina has been accepted, to determine whether she would choose to attend the school before placing a deposit to reserve her place in the incoming freshman class. Sabrina had intended to return the day before the Saugus game, but the severe weather that impacted the central U.S. last week resulted in her flight home being cancelled.

However, Palermo and her dad then made what can only be described as a herculean effort to get back to Revere in time for the start of the game Friday morning. They drove five hours to Las Vegas Thursday, caught a red-eye flight to Boston, and arrived at Logan Friday morning. Sabrina made it to the Saugus playing field just as the game was about to get underway.

RHS head coach Joe Ciccarello turned to freshman Gia Santaniello to assume the starting pitcher’s role, giving Palermo some time to warm up. Santaniello pitched well in her two innings of work, allowing just two runs, before yielding to Palermo, who proceeded to allow just one run and three hits over the final five frames, while fanning eight enemy batters.

Despite the chilly weather Friday morning, the Lady Patriot bats were on fire in the top of the first. Lead-off hitter Victoria Russo smacked the second pitch of the game over the Saugus left fielder’s head for a home run for a quick-as-a-flash 1-0 Revere lead. After Ally Hinojosa reached on a dropped third strike, she stole second and promptly came home on a double by Julianna Cecere. After Julianna stole third, a sacrifice fly by Gabby Cammarata rescued Cecere for a 3-0 Revere lead.

Saugus responded with two runs in the bottom of the first, but the duo of Santaniello and Palermo maintained the 3-2 Revere edge until freshman Alina Giuliano  delivered what would prove to the game-winning run in the fifth when she drove the ball past the Saugus left fielder for a home run.

Palermo yielded a run in the sixth on a bloop double, a sacrifice bunt, and a ground out, but slammed the door shut in the seventh with a flourish. After Saugus put the tying run aboard with a one-out bloop double, Sabrina fanned the final two Saugus batters — their three and four hitters — to claim the victory.

“Gia did a great job for us in an unexpected situation,” said Ciccarello. “But what more can you say about Sabrina? What it took her to get back in time for the game shows the dedication she has to our team, and then to come in and pitch the way she did, despite all of the traveling she had to do, shows what an amazing athlete she is.”

The Lady Patriots have a full schedule ahead in the coming weeks. They were set to travel to perennial NEC powerhouse Danvers this past Monday and then will host Marblehead today (Wednesday) and Swampscott Friday. They will make the short trip to Winthrop this coming Monday and journey to Beverly next Wednesday.

 

Anderson spins two-hitter in 7-2 win for baseball team

Revere junior Maxx Anderson turned in his second superlative pitching effort in two outings this season, spinning a two-hitter, to lead the Revere High baseball team to a 7-2 victory over East Boston Friday in the opening-round game of the Chris Serino Memorial Tournament.

“I can’t say enough about Max,” said RHS head coach Shawn Brinkley of Anderson’s route-going effort in which at one point he retired 10 consecutive Eastie opponents and fanned six. “Max doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but he’s focused and very smart. He mixes his pitches very well and uses his off-speed pitches to keep the other team’s hitters off-balance. He also has great location and control and knows where to put the ball.”

The Revere offense was provided principally by junior captain Dan Murphy, who delivered a two-run triple, and senior captain Noah Jaynes, who came through with a two-RBI base hit. Oscar Zavala had a big day at the plate with a double and a triple.

Zavala earned the starting nod two days later in the tournament final against Saugus. Oscar started the day auspiciously by striking out the first three Saugus batters he faced. He continued to pitch shutout ball through the first three innings with six strikeouts.

However, Saugus broke through for two runs in the fourth, tying the game at 2-2. Zavala came out in the fifth as Saugus rallied for five markers in that frame and four more in the sixth. Revere responded with another two-run innings for a final score of 11-4. Hector Zavala, John DeSimone, Murphy, and Jaynes accounted for the bulk of the Patriot offense.

Brinkley and his crew, who stand at 2-5 on the season, have a busy agenda in the weeks ahead. They were set to face Danvers this past Monday and play at Marblehead today (Wednesday) and at Swampscott Friday. They host Winthrop Monday and entertain Beverly next Wednesday.

Boys tennis team

defeats Peabody, 3-2

The Revere High boys tennis team defeated Peabody last, 3-2, marking the first victory by a Patriot boys tennis team over Peabody in many years.

“This was a great win for our team,” said RHS head coach Mike Flynn. “No one can recall when we last beat Peabody, if ever, so this is quite an accomplishment for our program.”

The Patriots were shorthanded for their usual doubles teams, but both the first and second doubles tandems won their matches in straight sets. The duo of David Grujic and Naveed Jabbar pulled out a hard-fought match at first doubles, 7-5, 6-4, and the pair of Mustafa Ahmed and Andrea Shehaj handily dispatched their Peabody rivals, 6-2, 6-0.

Senior Captain Ryan Tran dropped a close-fought encounter at first singles, 5-7, 5-7, while Nelson Ortiz, playing in his first match of the season, played well in a 4-6, 3-6 loss at third singles.

That left the outcome of the match to the decisive second singles battle between Patriot Mateo Lopez and his Peabody rival. With the match on the line, Mateo pulled out both sets in clutch fashion, 6-4, 6-4, to clinch the win for Revere.

“This is a very dedicated group of players and they truly are a joy and a pleasure to coach,” said Flynn afterwards. “This was a big win for us and hopefully will push us to even greater heights in the season ahead.”

Flynn has a large roster this season featuring a number of sophomores and freshmen. Senior captain Jack Mallen, along with fellow captains Tran and Danton Duque and fellow senior Jacob Snyder, provide the leadership for the Patriots. Underclassmen include junior Ibrahim Danguir, sophomores Dan Torres,Cristian Torres, David Leite, Ralph Corbelle, and Joao Dos Santos, and freshmen Josue Martinez, Bryan Mevyivar, Aaron Rondon, Christian Rios, Gerson Garcia, and Eric Meva.

The Patriots have a busy week ahead with six matches in 10 days. They were set to host Danvers Monday, trek to Medford yesterday (Tuesday), and travel to Marblehead today (Wednesday). They return home to meet Lynn Classical tomorrow (Thursday) at the Gibson Park courts, play at Swampscott Monday, and entertain Winthrop next Wednesday.

Girls lacrosse squad

showing improvement

Although the Revere High girls lacrosse team came out on the short end of a 12-7 decision to archival Winthrop last week, RHS head coach Karen Atkinson was pleased with her team’s performance, which showed marked improvement from the Lady Patriots’ initial encounter with Winthrop in the season-opener (a 16-6 loss).

“We lost 12-7, but it was a huge improvement from our previous games (especially our first against Winthrop),” said Atkinson. “Our team defense looked great with only minor breakdowns. Our goalie, Shateya Travis, was huge for us. She recorded 16 saves and played great.  Her clears and ability to see the ball continue to get better each day. We were beat off Winthrop’s transition, which we will take and learn from for the future.

“Freshman Allegra Penn, Adejoke Atitebi, Emily Wykes and Danela Ortiz held down our defensive zone with the help of junior Sophia Rivera,” added Atkinson. “I cannot even begin to express how proud I was of these five girls. In midfield, freshman Taylor Giuffre-Catalano and Marina Robinson worked hard the entire game pushing the offensive drive. Marina has been improving each game on her draw control, which we benefited from her tremendously today. Amina Mansouri, junior midfielder, did a fantastic job today reacting to the whistle and winning the ball off the draw — she has truly stepped up her game.

“Ayah Omar, our senior captain, showed true leadership, pushing our girls to continue to work hard throughout the entire game, as well as scoring one goal in the first half,” praised the coach. “Gloria Pais and Anita Kao junior attack players, have been soaking everything in from practice and both did a fantastic job against Winthrop. Cindy Murphy, sophomore attack, was patient with the ball in today’s game and created off-ball movement.”

Lady Patriot Taylor Giuffre-Catalano reached the back of the Winthrop net twice. Single goals were scored by Ayah Omar, Emily Wykes, Marina Robinson, Sophia Rivera, and Amina Mansouri.

Atkinson and her squad were set to be back in action yesterday (Tuesday) against Salem and will host Essex Tech Friday.

Lady Patriot tennis

squad working hard

Although the Revere High girls tennis team still is seeking its first win of the season, coach Carla Maniscalco’s squad has been fighting hard against its Northeastern Conference opponents.

In a close 3-2 loss to Peabody, sophomore Hanadi Kobilic handily swept past her Peabody counterpart in straight sets at second singles, 6-0, 6-2. Also winning their match were the first doubles duo of junior Lyba Khan and sophomore Yolani Granados, who outdueled their Peabody foes in three sets, 7-5, 1-6, 6-4.

The match at third singles likewise was a fierce battle in which Lady Patriot senior Leila Darouey fought fiercely, only to fall short in two sets, 6-7 (2-7), 4-6.

The outcome of the second doubles contest, and thus the match itself, likewise was narrowly decided, with the Revere tandem of sophomores Alondra Esparza and Lariza Haro dropping two of three extremely close sets, 4-6,7-6 (7-1), 4-6.

Revere’s top player, number one Jocelyn Contreras, lost her match in straight sets.

“We played strong matches at second singles, first doubles, and second doubles,” said Maniscalco. “Second doubles lost a very close, three-set match and first doubles won a very close, three-set match.  All players are gaining more experience and becoming stronger players as the season progresses.”

Earlier in the week the Lady Patriots dropped a 4-1 decision to Gloucester. Darouey was the lone victor for Revere, winning her match at third singles in clutch fashion in a third-set tiebreaker, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4).

Contreras fell at first singles, 3-6, 3-6; Kobilic at second singles, 5-7, 2-6; Khan & Granados at first doubles, 2-6, 5-7; and Esparza & Victoria Mom at second doubles, 3-6, 1-6.

”We had strong matches at third singles and first doubles,” noted Maniscalco. “Third singles was the best match of the day for us.  Leila came back from being down 1-4 in the third set to win it in a tiebreaker.”

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Lindsay Gurska named NEWMAC Player of the Week

Lindsay Gurska was named the NEWMAC Player of the Week while Caroline Medino was tabbed the New England Women;s and Men’s Athlectic Conference (NEWMAC )Pitcher of the Week. The duo had been named the WPI Women’s Student-Athletes of the Week earlier in the day.

Gurska batted .667 (8-for-12) with eight runs batted and three runs scored. The sophomore, who has caught every inning for the Engineers over the last 20 games, went 3-for-3 in the nightcaps of WPI’s sweeps last week over Coast Guard and Wellesley, including launching her second homer of the season against the Blue.

Medino upped her record to 5-1 this season with series-opening victory versus Coast Guard and Wellesley. The sophomore allowed just one earned run over 12 innings of work (0.58 ERA) while yielding just eight hits and fanning five. Medino went the distance without allowing an earned run in a 6-1 victory over defending NEWMAC champion Wellesley.

WPI (19-5, 9-3 NEWMAC) returns to action on Wednesday with a 3:30pm non-conference doubleheader at Westfield State.

About Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Founded in 1865 in Worcester, Mass., WPI is one of the nation’s first engineering and technology universities. Its 14 academic departments offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts, leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. WPI’s talented faculty work with students on interdisciplinary research that seeks solutions to important and socially relevant problems in fields as diverse as the life sciences and bioengineering, energy, information security, materials processing, and robotics. Students also have the opportunity to make a difference to communities and organizations around the world through the university’s innovative Global Perspective Program. There are more than 40 WPI project centers throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe

Holmes honored at St. Mary’s basketball banquet

By Cary Shuman

St. Mary’s High School senior Sophia Holmes of Revere personifies the term, “scholar-athlete.”

Holmes wrapped up her outstanding athletic career by receiving the Unsung Player Award at the girls basketball awards banquet held at the Gannon Golf Course. A basketball and soccer captain, Holmes is ranked second academically in the Class of 2015.

Holmes excelled as a guard for the Lady Spartans, who finished this season with an 18-6 record. She played four varsity seasons and helped St. Mary’s win a state championship in 2014.

St. Mary’s coach Jeff Newhall praised Holmes in his award presentation speech.

“This award goes to a player that did everything we asked of her this year and, quite frankly, throughout her career,” said Newhall. “She has always been a high motor, high energy defensive player. She did a lot of our dirty work, sometimes never being recognized for her efforts, but she always came back the next day and worked hard. We will miss her work ethic and her dedication to the team.”

Holmes will be attending Boston University, following the scholarly path of her sister, Brianna, a former St. Mary’s star athlete who won back-to-back state softball titles and is currently studying Physical Therapy at Northeastern University, and her brother, Nick, who is a student at Harvard University.

Sophia Holmes reflected on her achievements in an interview after the banquet.

“I’m really thankful for all the coaches who have done everything for me,” said Holmes. “It’s been a great ride. I’ll really miss it next year. St. Mary’s has been so good to me. Winning a state title was a really good experience. It’s a feeling like no other. All your hard work paying off – it’s really nice.”

Stephen Holmes said he is very proud of his daughter’s career at St. Mary’s.

“It’s been an unbelievable experience for both Sophia and Brianna, the four years before,” said Mr. Holmes.  “I can’t say enough about the school, the coaches, the sports programs.”

RHS sports Through the Years

10 years ago

April 27, 2005

Despite the absence of 11 team members, coach Jack Mosko’s RHS boys track team defeated Everett, 83-51. Captain Mike Nickerson won the 800 in 2:22, finished second in the high jump, and anchored the winning 4 x 400 relay. Merzudin Ibric captured the 100 dash and long jump, Ryan Burke won the mile and two-mile, Dennis Hickey took the javelin, and Jason DeSimone won the intermediate hurdles.

The RHS softball team suffered a heartbreaking, 4-3 loss in extra innings to Everett. Marissa Cavallo went 3-for-4 for Revere with two RBI. Christina Polsonetti pitched all nine innings for Revere.

The RHS baseball team, which now stands at 2-2 on the season, suffered a lopsided 19-1 loss to Cambridge this past week.

20 years ago

April 26, 1995

Senior knuckleballer Tom Levett hurled a no-hitter to lead the RHS baseball team to a 7-0 win over Marblehead. High school All-American southpaw Mike Spinelli improved to 3-0 on the year with a 3-2 victory over defending GBL champ Malden. Mike Popp’s home run in the eighth proved to be the game-winner. Spinelli now is 20-1 in his high school career.

The RHS softball team improved to 3-1 in the GBL with a 21-5 triumph over Malden and a 4-3 victory over Peabody. In the Malden rout, Rachel Belliveau went 3-for-3 with a triple and four RBI, Mandy Dewling was 3-for-3 with a triple and two RBI, and Danielle Russo had five RBI. In the Peabody game Belliveau had two hits and an RBI.

Chris Eason was a triple winner in the long jump, high jump, and hurdles, and John Guarino won the shot-put, Bob Millerick the javelin, and Matt Palermo the discus to lead the RHS boys track team to a 68-67 triumph over Cambridge Rindge and Latin.

30 years ago

April 24, 1985

The RHS baseball team improved to 2-2 with a 7-6 win over North Quincy. Jim Chesna fanned six opponents and freshman Emilio Leone delivered the game-winning hit to score John Pitzi.

40 years ago

April 23, 1975

Sophomore Steve DiCarlo struck out 17 enemy hitters to lead the RHS baseball team to a 5-0 win over Chelsea in his first varsity start. Ray Ricupero delivered the big blow for the Revere offense with a  bases-loaded single.

50 years ago

April 29, 1965

Revere Little League will kick off its 14th season Sunday with a parade of Little League ballplayers and festivities at McMackin Field.

60 years ago

April 28, 1955

Coach John Capone’s RHS baseball team overcame a 6-0 deficit to defeat Chelsea, 10-7. Joe Sasso and Vinny Acquaviva had three hits apiece and Eddie McKenna stroked a double and a triple.

70 years ago

April 26, 1945

More than 3000 fans were on hand in Lowell to watch a spring practice football game between Revere High and Keith Academy of Lowell. Jerry Sarno scored two touchdowns for the RHS squad.

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