Play this week will determine postseason
Published in the May 25, 2017 edition
RED RAIDER seniors celebrating Senior Night with their parents. Pictured from left: Shane Correale (Dawn and Rich) Mike Dreske (Mary & John) Cal MacDonald (mom Shannon) Nick Cordeau (Brenda & Peter) Erik Heislein (David & Diane) Max Watson (Kim & Bob) Drew McGuire (Andrea & Peter) John Casperiello (Carrie and Joe) Joe Siciliano (mom Lori) and Connor Crovo (Brian and Kristen).
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—It’s down to the wire for the Melrose Red Raider baseball team, who are looking to secure their fourth post season in a row and hope to win three of their remaining four games in order to lock a spot in the Div. 2 North field. They helped their cause by winning 2 of their last three games, with victories against Watertown and Stoneham, but at 8-11, need to finish the job to extend their season.
This week they face Wakefield (post deadline, Wednesday) and travel to Gloucester, Swampscott and Wayland to round out the regular season.
On Wednesday, May 17 Melrose honored their departing seniors prior to the start of their league game against Watertown at Morelli Field in front of friends and family. The Raiders gave fans a win to savor. Melrose hurler John Casperiello went the distance and earned a 3-2 victory for Melrose. He got home help from senior captain Drew McGuire, who put Melrose on board with a solo shot home run for Melrose’s first run of the game. The Raiders rallied in the bottom of the sixth to comeback while down 2-1. Connor Crovo and Nick Cordeau crossed the plate in the sixth to give Melrose a lead they wouldn’t lose.
On Friday the team traveled to Stoneham and took a critical 7-3 win.This time it was junior Charlie Stanton who tossed a four-hitter on the mound. Drew MaGuire knocked in two runs, and senior Shane Correale hit his first career home run for Melrose.
On Monday, Melrose played in Mayor Cup action against Malden at a rainy Pine Banks Park. The Golden Tornadoes (7-12) knew how to take the wind out of Melrose’s sails by beating the Red Raiders, 5-1. Melrose hurler Mike Muscarella held Malden scoreless for the first three innings. A productive fourth for Malden resulted in those five runs, while Melrose’s only run was a solo shot homer by senior Nick Cordeau. Malden hurler Kyle Twomey threw a four hit game for the victory.
According to head coach Bill Hirschfeld, the team’s bats are needed to support their otherwise strong pitching staff. “They’re doing their job, and we need to back them up.”
Still, there is still time to punch a ticket to a post season. After facing Wakefield on Wednesday (post deadline) Melrose will travel to Gloucester on Thursday and Wayland on Friday for some critical games. Stay tuned.
