After back-to-back wins Melrose sits 8-3
Published in the May 13, 2016 edition
SAFE AT home. The Red Raider baseball team are a strong 8-3 to the season after back-to-back wins this week. (Steve Karampalas photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — The Melrose Red Raider baseball team is two wins away from playoff qualification after back to back victories over Woburn and Winchester this week. At 8-3, Melrose is seeing both pitching and defense rise to the occasion and with nine games left in the regular season, Melrose is proving to have the merit to return to the familiar territory of postseason.
“Right now, everyone is coming to play,” says head coach Bill Hirschfeld. “They have the right mindsets going into games. I’d say our pitching and defense are doing to the job and now the bats are following.”
Melrose began their winning streak on Friday, May 6 with a 6-2 road win over Woburn. Melrose hurler Justin McCarthy picked up the win. “He’s been very consistent for us,” notes his coach.
On Monday, the team traveled to Winchester to take on the Sachems and walked away 9-6 victors. Drew McGuire took the win on the mound for Melrose and Erik Heislein earned the save for the Raiders. Offensively, Melrose was led by left fielder Sean Connolly who went 4-4, including three doubles. Melrose also counted on hits behind Drew McGuire and Nick Cordeau (3-5) while defensively Ryan Censullo continued his top notch work at shortstop. Melrose was down three runs with a score of 6-3 in the sixth and a hit parade (13 total) helped flip that score to an ultimate 9-6 win.
Melrose remains near the top of the Middlesex Freedom League, only behind Wakefield (10-2) and has a critical stretch on the horizon, with Freedom foes Burlington (8-4) and Wakefield on the schedule. Melrose is hoping that by next week a playoff appearance will be secured and previous losses avenged.
Says Hirschfeld, “When we come to play, we can play with anyone.”
Remaining games
Thurs. 5/12 vs. Burlington, Morelli Field, 3:45 p.m.
Sat. 5/14 @ Reading, 10 a.m.
Tue. 5/17 @ Wakefield, 3:45 p.m.
Wed. 5/18 @ Watertown, 3:45 p.m.
Thu. 5/19 @ Stoneham High School, 3:45 p.m.
Fri. 5/20 vs. Stoneham, Senior Night – Morelli Field, 6:30
Mon. 5/23 vs. Wayland, Morelli Field, 6:30
Tue. 5/24 @ Malden Pine Banks, 5:30 p.m.
