Melrose goes 2-1 in league play this week
The Melrose Red Raider baseball team took a 6-2 win over Burlington on April 22 and a victory on Monday over Watertown, where Melrose hurler Justin McCarthy pitched for a win. (Donna Larsson photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose Red Raider baseball team hit high notes this week by posting two out of three wins over league competitors, including an 6-2 upset over Burlington on April 22 that resulted from a five run bottom of the 6th. On Monday, April 27 Melrose also traveled to Watertown and the result was a convincing 9-2 victory over their rival Red Raiders. The result has Melrose on the winning end of things, 4-3 overall as they wrap up first round of league play.
“I think what’s working right now is our pitching,” says head coach Bill Hirschfeld, who notes the solid efforts of hurlers Dylan Gaita, Christian Pizzotti, Derek Scimemi and Justin McCarthy. “But our bats are coming around now too, it’s striking the right balance.”
Against Burlington Melrose’s Gaita tossed 5 innings with 6Ks, relieved for two innings by Scimemi. Melrose took a 1-0 lead which they held until the fifth inning when a collection of hits from Raiders piled on and the result was a 6-2 win. Chipping in offensively were Christian Pizzotti (2 hits) Jack Hickey (2 hits) Jake Karelas (2 hits), Alec Tauro (2 hits) and Nick Cordeau (2 hits). “We had 13 hits and no errors and that was key for us,” reports Hirschfeld. On Friday, April 24 Melrose fell shy to Wakefield (5-1) in a 6-1 loss at Walsh Field in Wakefield. Sophomore Mike Guanci pitched five and two-thirds innings, giving up an unearned run for Wakefield’s fifth straight victory. Melrose’s pitchers Christian Pizzotti and Justin McCarthy (7Ks) took the mound for Melrose, whose solo run came in the top of the sixth inning courtesy of Alec Tauro, who scored Jake Karelas on a single to left. “We didn’t play well on the field at all,” says Hirschfeld. “We only gave up four hits but the 6 errors killed us.”
But Melrose was back to their winning ways on Monday when they traveled to Watertown and came back home with a 9-2 victory. Melrose produced 15 hits including those from Jake Karelas, who went 3-4 at the plate, Alec Tauro 2-3, Nick Cordeau 2-4, Derek Scimemi 2-4 and Christian Pizzotti 2-5, including 2 RBIs. Justin McCarthy went 6 innings on the mound for Melrose and gave up just 5 hits and retired 5. “This was another game where we played clean. We had no errors and that ends up being big for us,” says their coach.
As they approach the halfway point of their season, Melrose seems to be striking the right balance between offense and pitching. “Our seniors have been great, they’ve stepped into leadership roles and produced at the plate for us. I like what I see right now.”
Melrose will look to continue their winning ways when they host Reading Friday afternoon at Morrelli Field in Melrose at 3:30 p.m.
Middlesex Freedom League Standings
League All
Wakefield 4-0 5-1
Wilmington 4-1 4-1
Melrose 2-2 4-3
Burlington 2-2 3-3
Watertown 1-4 3-6
Stoneham 0-4 0-7
