UPDATE: Boys’ tennis defeats Swampscott, Newburyport and Hamilton-Wenham, takes 3rd at CAL Open

SHEA McCARTHY follows through on a serve at North Reading High during the CAL Open on Saturday. McCarthy was the second singles champion. (Courtesy Photo)

After press time:
Lynnfield defeats Swampscott 4-1 (May 3)
Lynnfield defeats Newburyport 5-0

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

HAMILTON — In a thrilling match that came down to the wire on Monday afternoon, the Lynnfield High boys’ tennis team edged host Hamilton-Wenham 3-2.

The match came down to second doubles where the team of Slate LoPilato and Shlok Kudrimoti won their match in three sets. They won the first one, 6-4, lost the second one, 6-3, but won the rubber one 6-3.

“This was their first match as a team and they buckled down and stayed strong late,” said Pioneers head coach Joe Dunn.

With that win, the Pioneers improved to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the Cape Ann League The Generals, meanwhile, fell to 5-1.

“They have a very strong team,” said Dunn.

At first singles, Dan Levin won 6-2, 6-2 while second-singles player Shea McCarthy also won 6-2, 6-2.

Third-singles player, Russ Kasdon, lost, 6-0, 6-2.

At first doubles, Raffi Arkun and Brendan Sokop lost in three sets, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, in another tight match.

Last Saturday at North Reading High, the Pioneers came in 3^rd place in the CAL Open with 13 points. Manchester-Essex was 1^st with 16 while Hamilton-Wenham was 2^nd.

McCarthy came in first place at second singles while the two doubles teams of Kasdon/Arkun and Sokop/LoPilato both lost in the finals.

Levin captured third at first singles.

“It was great to have it back,” said Dunn, as this was the first CAL Open since 2019. “It was a well-run event and the weather was sunny and warm.”

On April 25, the Pioneers shut out host Pentucket 5-0 up in West Newbury.

Levin won 6-4, 6-1 at first singles while McCarthy won 6-0, 6-0, at second singles. Kudrimoti also won in shutout fashion at third singles 6-0, 6-0.

In doubles action, the first team of Kasdon and Arkun won 6-0, 6-0 while the second duo of Sokop and LoPilato won 6-0, 6-1.

“They have a good first-singles player but not much depth after him,” said Dunn, about the Panthers.

Lynnfield’s next match is a non-league one as they visit Swampscott on May 3 at 4 p.m.

The Pioneers then christen their new courts at the high school on May 6 as they host Manchester-Essex when they return to CAL play. That match will also start at 4 p.m.