Wakefield drops two over the weekend, falls to 1-4

By DAN MARGARITA

WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield Merchants baseball team continues to struggle as it fell to the Melrose Americans 3-2 in eight innings last night in an Intercity League game at Walsh Field.

Last night’s loss came after a 10-1 loss to the Watertown Reds on Saturday morning in the Jerie DeAngelis Memorial Tournament which was held at Lexington High School.

Since winning the season opener, the Merchants have dropped four straight games to fall to 1-4 on the season.

Melrose Americans Game

“Well, when you’re on a losing streak the only people you can blame are yourselves. We’re not going to get any breaks,” said Wakefield manager Dave Ellegood.

The team could only muster two hits and missed opportunities to put runs on the board and Melrose scored first in the second inning. With two outs, Ian Steckel reached on an error and then stole second. Colby Maiola then dropped a single inside the left field line to bring in Steckel and put Melrose up 1-0 before a fly to deep right ended the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, Wakefield managed to load the bases but couldn’t bring a run across. Jim Ramsey led off with a walk and then Nick Napoli reached on an error. Mike Manoogian popped up to Melrose catcher Anthony Liacciardello, who made a nice catch in foul territory. After Joe Barry drew a walk to load the bases, Dom Sorrentino popped up to first and then Louis Tarantino struck out to end the inning.

“If we’re going to compete we have to beat a team like Melrose. We had bases loaded a couple of times and popped up. If the ball is on the ground, it’s a run and you win that game but right now we’re not playing good baseball and we don’t get anything right. You’ve got to pull yourself out of a slump,” noted Ellegood.

Melrose also managed to load the bases in the top of the fourth but Wakefield pitcher Darren Bisso was able to get out of the jam without any damage. Mike Addesa drew a one-out walk and, after a pop up to first for the second out, Steckel and Maiola managed consecutive singles to load the bases. But Bisso was able induce a ground ball from Brian Carney to end the threat.

The Merchants managed to tie the game up in the bottom of the fifth inning. Bobby Losanno led off and was hit by a pitch. Scott Searles grounded out to third but, with a hit and run on, Losanno was able to take third, just beating the throw from first baseman Mike Addesa. Mike Sorrentino lifted a sacrifice fly to center that scored Losanno to make it 1-1 before a strikeout ended the inning.

Wakefield had another scoring opportunity stymied in the sixth inning. With one out, Manoogian was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a wild pitch. After a pop up, Dom Sorrentino drew a walk. Tarantino reached on an error by shortstop Vinny Scifo, whose bobble made his throw late to first baseman Addesa. Manoogian attempted to score from second on the play and was thrown out at home by Addesa to end the inning.

Melrose pulled ahead in the top of the eighth inning. Mac Singleton led off with an infield single off new Merchants pitcher Jarrod Marchesi. Harry Smoske attempted a sacrifice but Marchesi couldn’t get a handle on it, leaving runners at first and second. They both advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Addesa. Chris Sharpe singled in both runners to put Melrose up 3-1, but that would be all of the runs for the inning.

“Darren pitched well (and) Jarrod did well. As you can see they laid down a bunt and (hit it) right through the middle. It’s frustrating right now,” said a frustrated Ellegood.

The Merchants managed to claw their way back with a run in their final at bat. With one out,  Barry was hit by a pitch. Dom Sorrentino then reached on an error and both runners advanced on a ground out to first. Losanno reached on an error that scored Barry to make it 3-2, but a ground ball ended the game.

“You’ve just got man up and go out there and get clutch hits. I think we hit three pop ups with the bases loaded. You’ve got to put the ball in play. We’re just not getting it done, that’s all. We’ve got three games this week and we’ve just got to keep on plugging away and try to get back to .500 and take baby steps,” said Ellegood.

Watertown Reds Game

The day before in Lexington, Wakefield surrendered five runs in the second, two in the fourth, one in the sixth and two in the seventh as it suffered a 10-1 setback against the Reds.

Wakefield scored its lone run in the sixth inning.

The Merchants had just four hits with Losanno getting two of them with a pair of doubles. Mike Sorrentino and Napoli had the other hits. Losanno also scored the only run and Sorrentino had the RBI.

Jonthan Bishop (2-0) pitched five innings for Watertown and earned the win as he gave up two hits while striking out two and walking one.

Cal Carroll hurled an inning giving up one run on two hits. JJ Branch hurled the final inning and had a two strikeouts.

Pitching for the Merchants were Kyle McCarthy and Brody Loughlin.

McCarthy (0-1) went six innings giving up eight runs on 10 hits walking two and striking out one.

Loughlin went an inning giving up two runs on three hits.

Offensively, the Reds had 13 hits with Kyle LaVigne and Peter Burgio leading the way with three hits apiece. Each hit a double as well. LaVigne scored two runs, stole two bases and drove in three runs, while Burgio scored a run and knocked in two runs.

Mac Jacobson and Will Brennan each had two hits. Jacobson also scored a run and had two RBIs, while Brennan scored a run and drove in a run.

Steve Tramontozzi, Justin Forman, and Mike Samko had the other three Reds’ hits. Samko’s hit was a double. Forman, Samko and Steve Morganelli each crossed the plate once as well. Morganelli also had two RBIs.

Reading Bulldogs Game

Last Wednesday against the Reading Bulldogs, the Merchants banged out eight hits in a 12-1 loss.

Losanno, Napoli, Searles, Barry, Mike Sorrentino, John Davison, Tarantino and Dom Sorrentino each had a hit. Manoogian scored the only run with Mike Sorrentino getting the RBI.

Wakefield hopes to turn things around tomorrow night when it faces the Somerville Thunder at 8:30 p.m. at Trum Field.

(Sports Editor Jim Southmayd contributed to this report).