The Winthrop High baseball team kicked off its season in fine fashion with a pair of impressive victories thls past week, by identical scores of 14-2, against non-league rivals Mystic Valley and North Shore Tech.
In Friday’s season opener against Mystic Valley, the Vikings banged out 15 hits in the contest, which was called after five innings. Ben Spinazzola and Matt Feeley had three hits apiece to lead the offensive barrage. Bobby Fisher added two hits and two RBI, while Mike Rich stroked a double, stole two bases, and scored two runs. James Baxter and Vin Sparacino scored three runs apiece.
In the pitching department, Brendan Van Dalinda started and tossed three shutout frames in which he fanned six enemy hitters.  Jack Wallace and Chris Zuffante hurled an inning apiece to preserve the victory.
Monday’s contest against North Shore Tech saw the Vikings trail by a 2-1 deficit in the fourth inning before exploding to break the game open. Fisher delivered the first big salvo with a two-RBI base hit in the fourth that propelled Winthrop into a 3-2 lead. The following inning, Sparacino belted a two-run double that broke the game open.
Rich once again was a thorn in the side of his opponent from the lead-off position. Mike singled, walked twice, was hit by a pitch, stole two bases, and scored two runs.
“Mike’s really been getting the job done for us as our lead-off hitter,†said WHS head coach Frank DeMarco. “He gets on base and has stolen four bases thus far this season and they have not even been close.â€
Other Vikings who wielded some heavy lumber were Cody Wasson, who belted a three run triple and Spinazzola, who had a double, single, scored two, and drove in two.
Van Dalinda started once again and was impressive through the first three frames. When North Shore rallied in the fourth for its two runs, freshman Wallace came in with one out and runners at the corners. Jack fanned the first batter he faced and got the other to fly out to end the threat. He tossed the next two frames in shutout fashion and then yielded to Nick Disciscio in the seventh, who needed just four pitches to close out the contest.
Another key contributor to the Viking cause in the two victories was Feeley, who displayed his versatility by playing in left field, third base, and shortstop. He was set to start yesterday’s game at catcher with regular catcher James Baxter penciled in as the starting pitcher.
“Matt is one of those players you love to have on your team, because he can play anywhere and fill in wherever you need him. He’s a real team player,â€Â noted DeMarco.
DeMarco and his crew will embark on their Northeastern Conference schedule this week. They were set to travel to Marblehead yesterday (Wednesday) and will host Swampscott tomorrow. They trek to Danvers Monday and will entertain Gloucester Wednesday
WHS softball team set to open this week
The Winthrop High softball team was set to open its season this week, hosting Northeastern Conference rival Marblehead yesterday (Wednesday) as the Sun-Transcript was going to press.
The Lady Vikings will play at Swampscott tomorrow. They return home to host Danvers Monday and trek to Gloucester next Wednesday.
Coach Dave Guffey and his crew participated in a busy pre-season this past week, engaging St. Mary’s of Lynn and Masconomet in a tri-scirmmage last Wednesday and then participating in a jamboree in Winchester with Lexington, Medford, and Winchester on Saturday.
The Lady Vikings held their own in the contests, competing against schools that primarily are in Division 1.  Among the offensive leaders at the plate for Winthrop were Taylor Thomas, who went 2-for-2 in two of the contests, including a double, and who overall accounted for four runs scored and three RBI;  Maddy Finga’a, who went 2-for-2 vs. Winchester and stroked a double vs. St. Mary’s; Jen Adamson, who was 2-for-2 in the Masco game; Ally Scarfo, who went 2-for-2 vs. Winchester with a run scored;  Regina Garufo, who had a hit and a run against St. Mary’s; Christine Haskell, who doubled and scored a run vs. Masco; and Alexis Joyce, who singled and scored a run in the St. Mary’s tilt.
However, the Lady Vikings received some bad news when they learned that their ace pitcher, Maura Lanza, suffered a strained rotator cuff that could keep her sidelined indefinitely. Lanza, a junior, had racked up a 0.50 ERA through the pre-season and figured to be one of the top hurlers in the area this coming year.
Thomas, who has pitched very well in the pre-season, will be counted upon to take over the chores on the mound until Lanza returns. Finga’a also could see some duty in the pitching department.
Lady Viking track wins opening meet
The Winthrop High girls track team opened its spring season with an 84-41 win over Lynn English last week. Among the highlights for the Lady Vikings were victories by Amy Sena and Carly O’Keefe, who tied for first in the 400 hurdles; Sena in the high jump; Lexi Vaccaro in the 100 dash; Abbey Love in the mile to lead a Winthrop sweep in that event with teammates Nina Leone and Kristen Ford; Isabella Kennedy in the two mile and 800; and Katherine Texiera in the shotput.
Katie McDonald in the high jump and Olivia Rago in the 800 also scored points for Winthrop.
“This was a strong first meet for us,” said WHS head coach Warren MacPhail.
On Monday the Lady Vikings made the long trek to Gloucester and came up just short in a close meet by a score of 67-56.
Sena was the top point-scorer for Winthrop, taking firsts in the 400 hurdles, high jump, and triple jump and a second in the 400 meter dash for a total of 18 points.
Lexi Vaccaro took firsts in the long jump and 100 dash and a second in the 200 dash to put 13 points onto the Winthrop side of the scoresheet.
O’Keefe won the 100 high hurdles and took second in the 400 low hurdles to tally eight points, as did Liz Anderson with a first in the shotput and a second in the discus.
Isabella Kennedy enjoyed a fine day with seven points, recording two second place finishes in the 800 and triple jump and a third in the long jump.
Other point scorers for the Lady Vikings were Christa Vaccaro with a second in the long jump and a third in the two mile run; Shanel Turransky with a third in the 100 hurdles;Â and Texiera with a third in the shotput.
The Lady Vikings are off until Tuesday, April 22, when they will travel to Peabody.
Viking laxers open season
Although the Winthrop High boys lacrosse team has dropped it first three contests of the season to Lynn, Dedham, and Mystic Valley, WHS head coach Matt Serino has seen a lot of positive signs from his Viking squad.
“Goaltender Andrew Almedia has played tremendously,” said Serino. “We also have received strong play from midfielders Chris Beaudry, Adam Holden, and Charlie Page and defensemen Rolando Recinos and Hunter Gillis.
Serino and his squad will be back in action today (Thursday) at Salem, tomorrow at Lynn Tech, and Tuesday at Malden.