THERE HAS been lots of celebration for the MHS baseball team. Pictured here, the team enjoyed a walk off win against Belmont last week courtesy of pitcher Dom Drago. (courtesy photo Alison Dolan)
By CONNER BYRNE
MELROSE—The Melrose Red Raiders took down the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Falcons, 4-3, in a back-and-forth showdown at Morelli Field on Monday, April 11 to improve to 3-2.
It was a slow start for both teams as Melrose hurler Trevor Botto and the Falcons’ ace were engaged in an early pitchers-duel, but a hectic up and down third inning for both teams kicked off the game’s excitement.
Cambridge was able to capitalize on multiple Red Raider errors in the top of the third inning allowing them to get out to a 2-0 lead. A short grounder to Botto at the mound stopped the bleeding and got the Red Raiders to the bats.
Despite a frustrating defensive half of the inning, Melrose utilized their grit and upperclassmen leadership to keep their composure and rally in the third. Walks drawn by Domenic Lamentea, Drew Harrington and Matthew Whelan would ultimately load the bases to start the rally for the ball club. With the bases loaded, Botto stepped up to the plate and drove in Lamentea with a single to centerfield making the contest 2-1. With the bases still loaded, Malcolm Whitfield singled to drive in Harrington and Whelan to give the Red Raiders a 3-2 lead over the Falcons.
As the game settled, the Red Raiders looked to be on their way to their second victory until the Falcons struck again in the sixth inning. Botto would walk the first batter of the inning, and a pair of wild pitches would send the runner to third base. A Falcons single would tie the game at 3, and a quiet inning for the Melrose bats would send a 3-3 contest to the seventh inning.
The Falcons looked to put their stamp on the game as they would start the inning with a single and a walk to put runners on first and second base, but Malcolm Whitfield in relief put a halt on the Cambridge offense by striking out three consecutive batters to send the Red Raiders to the bottom of the seventh with a chance to win. Whitfield continued his impressive seventh inning with a single to right field. A wild pitch would advance him to second, and walks drawn by Rowan Smith and Michael Richards would put the Red Raiders in another bases loaded situation. Robert Colozzo would walk up to the plate looking to seal the deal, and after battling the Falcons pitcher to a full count. Colozzo in heroic fashion drove a high fastball to left field to send Whitfield home from third to give the Red Raiders the win 4-3 over Cambridge.
It was an exciting finish for Melrose and the fans at Morelli Field. Despite having a quiet day with the bats, dominant pitching by Trevor Botto and Malcolm Whitfield put the Red Raiders in a position to put just enough runs on the board to put the game on ice. Botto would pitch six innings while recording 12 strikeouts, while the ladder in Whitfield would go one inning with three strikeouts. The Red Raiders improve to 3-2 on the season.
Previously, Melrose enjoyed another walk-off win on Thursday, April 7 when they beat Belmont at home, 5-4, thanks to a bottom of the seventh error that allowed Melrose’s winning run to score. Melrose hurler Dom Drago took the win for Melrose after a 7-strikeout day. Melrose enjoyed 11 hits including those from Trevor Botto (3-4) Rowan Smith and Matt Whelan. Even better, Melrose picked up a big win 13-7 win over Watertown at home on Tuesday behind the pitching efforts of Ben Cassavoy. Details were not available at press time.
Melrose will travel to rival Wakefield on Thursday (post deadline) before hosting Weston on Monday at home at 3 p.m.
