Crovo’s walk off saves Melrose’s season
Published June 7, 2019
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—In terms of dramatics, it didn’t get more gripping for the Melrose High Red Raider baseball team, who were faced with a do-or-die game against Wilmington on Thursday, May 30 and prevailed in a thrilling 3-2 walk off victory at Morelli Field that launched them into a post season.
Melrose senior captain Liam Crovo hit a sharp, bases loaded single to right to score the winning run in the bottom of the seventh to save Melrose’s season and clinch a playoff spot.
“It was a great way to get into the playoffs my senior year,” said Crovo after the game. “Wilmington pitched well all day, and Brandon [McSorley] was really on too for us. So we knew our time was coming, because we were all hitting well. It could have been anyone who hit it. Guess I’m happy it was me,” he said, smiling.
The two teams had battled back-to-back games on Thursday; the first a continuation game from a previously called tie that commenced on Thursday in the 5th inning. Melrose fell, 11-8, in game one but certainly made up for it in game 2, arguably their most satisfying win of the season. As a result of the split play, both teams will see a post season. Melrose has drawn the #11 seed in the Div. 2 North bracket while Wilmington will duke it out in the Div. 3 North. At press time, Melrose was poised to travel to play East Boston this Friday for a four p.m. game in the opening round of playoffs.
LIAM CROVO’S seventh inning, game winning RBI against Wilmington delivered Melrose into the Div. 2 North playoffs. (Donna Larsson photo)
Facing the Wildcats in game two, Melrose hurler Brandon McSorley went six innings and gave up 5 hits with 3Ks, no walks and no earned runs for Melrose in an admirable overall day. The junior got stronger as the game went on, shutting down the side in the 6th before Melrose reliever Dillon Kaliris finished the job and retired the side in the 7th.
Melrose coach Scott Searles spoke of the dramatic win. “Liam is a guy you never have to worry about in the lineup,” says the coach. “He’s been fantastic in the back half of the season.”
He also gave a nod to his pitchers. “Brandon turned the page during game two. He was really dialed in. And Dillon helped retire the 7-8-9 batters which gave us the momentum going into the top of the 7th.”
After the game, Melrose pitcher Brandon McSorley acknowledged the importance of rising above the challenge of Wilmington bats. “We knew this is a team who can hit well. I knew I had to hit my spots, and that even if they got hits, it was important to stay calm and maintain focus.”
McSorley started the game forcing three outs, including a strikeout, before Wilmington scored one run in the 2nd on a Melrose infield error that gave them an early 1-0 lead. McSorley also retired the side in the third before Red Raider bats came alive at the bottom. Pat Coen started the hit parade with a single to left, followed by another single by senior captain Matt McDonough (2 for 3). Matt Morrisey knocked Coen in with a single that made it a 1-1 game. Senior captain Liam Crovo hit a single to right and senior captain Harry Kelley walked on bases loaded to bring in a critical second run. Melrose held a 2-1 lead after three innings.
Wilmington tied it up, however, in the fourth when a pass ball scored a Wildcat baserunner. The game was locked 2-2 for the next two innings. Melrose defense came up big in the 5th when Kevin Nickerson fielded a double player that ended a scoring threat, and Melrose’s Kaliris shut down Wildcat batters in the 7th to bring up a critical last at-bat Melrose.
Pat Coen started things off by drawing a walk and Kevin Nickerson reached first base on an error, advancing pinch runner Mark Aylward.
Senior captain Matt McDonough drew a walk to load the bases and set up a one out scenario for Crovo, who only needed two pitches to smack a hard hit single to right and lead the celebration on the field.
