WhS sports Roundup
WHS baseball team tops Salem, English
The Winthrop High baseball team put it all together in two of their contests this past week to record victories against Salem and Lynn English, a pair of rivals from the North Division of the Northeastern Conference.
In a 6-2 triumph over Salem, Chris Zufanti pitched six innings, giving up just one run on six hits and striking out two. Jack Wallace came on in relief in the seventh — Zufanti had thrown 113 pitches and worked out of several jams — and allowed one hit and one run to preserve the win.
Pacing the Winthrop offense were Dylan Driscoll, who had two hits, and Sean MacDonald, who drove in two runs with a triple.
The Vikings enjoyed a big day at the plate in their 9-2 triumph over English, pounding out 16 hits. Wallace hurled five strong innings to earn the “Wâ€. Jack yielded just two hits and fanned three enemy batters. Wallace also helped his own cause with two hits and two RBI. Driscoll and David Kirby each had three hits and an RBI. Zack Fisher had three hits and Bobby Fisher had two hits and both scored two runs.
Winthrop’s lone setback of the past week came against Revere Monday. The Vikings received another strong outing from Nick Disciscio, who went five innings, giving up just three earned runs.
“Nick has been solid all year, giving up no more than three runs in any game he has pitched,†said WHS head coach Frank DeMarco, noting that Disciscio threw only 36 pitches through the first four frames.
However, at the plate Winthrop failed to take advantage of numerous scoring opportunities early in the game, leaving an opening for Revere to forge ahead. The proverbial wheels then fell off the bus in the sixth and seventh frames for the Vikings, thanks to a combination of walks, errors, and bleeders that fell in.
“In all facets of the game — pitching, defense, and base running — we came up short at the end and deserved to lose,†DeMarco noted. “You get what you deserve in this game.â€
Winthrop was set to host Marblehead yesterday (Wednesday) and trek to Everett today for a non-league encounter. The Vikings return home Monday to face Swampscott and on Wednesday will entertain Danvers.
WHS girls tennis team defeats English
The Winthrop High girls tennis team earned its first win of the season with a 3-2 victory over Lynn English Monday on the local courts.
Meg Dolan, playing at first singles, defeated her English counterpart in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1. Winthrop’s second singles player, Juanita Sanenz, also was a winner in straight sets, 6-0, 6-2.
Victory was achieved for Winthrop in the second doubles match in which the duo of Courtney McSwiney and Jamie Gobiel prevailed over their English opponents, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4).
Winthrop’s other doubles tandem, Haley Holden and Brooke Bacigalupo, fought well in a match in which both sets were closely-contested, 5-7, 4-6. Kailyn Ferrara, playing in the third singles slot, came back nicely after dropping the first set, 0-6, to duel her English opponent to a 4-6 score in the second set.
The Lady Vikings engaged in a hard-fought battle with Salem last week, dropping a close 3-2 decision. Dolan, playing at second singles, defeated her Salem counterpart in three sets in a match that was determined by a tiebreaker in the third set, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7-2) . Also emerging victorious against their Salem foes were the second doubles team of Bacigalupo and Gobiel, who won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.
With Victoria Cursino falling at first singles, 0-6, 4-6, and Saenz dropping her match at third singles, 1-6, 0-6, the match came down to the first doubles contest. The Lady Viking duo of McSwiney and Jackie Boulay took their match to three sets, but came up short, 2-6, 6-0, 1-6.
In a match with Beverly last Monday in which Winthrop dropped a 5-0 decision, the results were: Dolan at first singles, 4-6, 1-6; Cursino at second singles, 2-6, 6-3, 2-6; Xena Herbert at third singles, 0-6, 2-6; Saenz and Haley Holden at first doubles, 0-6, 2-6; and Bacigalupo and Ferrara at second doubles, 4-6, 2-6.
Coach Amy Fasoli’s crew is set to host Marblehead today (Thursday), Swampscott Tuesday, and Danvers Wednesday.
Boys lacrosse team
defeats Lynn, 9-2
The Winthrop High boys lacrosse team defeated Lynn this past week, 9-2.
Viking goalie Dan Sennott turned away eight of the 10 shots he faced. Dan Brogan led the Winthrop offense with two goals and three assists. Alex Anzuoni tallied a goal and earned three assists.
Neville Nowak got his first start on defense and turned in a strong effort, as did fellow defenders Hunter Gillis and Rolando Recinos.
The Vikings are scheduled to travel to Dedham today (Thursday), host Swamspcott Monday, and entertain ASMA Wednesday.
WHS boys tennis team
wins two of three, now 4-4
The Winthrop High boys tennis team continued to turn in impressive performances, winning two of its three matches this past week.
In a 3-2 triumph over non-league rival Malden Catholic, the Vikings’ first singles player, Noah Hodgkins, led the way with a triumph in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0. Winthrop’s doubles tandems of Robbie Miles/Matt Sennott at first doubles and Jake LaFratta/Pat Todisco at second doubles also prevailed in straight sets over their MC counterparts by identical scores of 7-5, 6-2.
Winthrop’s No. 2 man, Mike Norris, battled fiercely in a close match before falling by a score of 5-7, 4-6, as did Sean Gillis in the third singles slot, with Sean’s match going to three sets, 7-5, 3-6, 2-6.
Coach Marie Finn’s crew then took on Beverly and earned the first-ever win by a Winthrop boys tennis team over the Panthers. Miles, playing at third singles, defeated his Beverly counterpart in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. Gillis and Sennott, playing at first doubles, also were straight-set winners, 6-3, 6-4.
With Hodgkins and Norris falling at first and second singles, the outcome of the match hinged on the second doubles contest with the duo of LaFratta and Todisco representing Winthrop. The match was even at 1-1, with the Beverly team taking the first set, 6-3, and Jake and Pat winning the second, 6-2. With darkness approaching, the coaches agreed upon a 10-point tiebreaker for a third set, which LaFratta and Todisco won handily, 10-4, to give their team the victory.
The Vikings’ lone setback came against the NEC’s top team, Marblehead. Both of the Winthrop doubles teams prevailed. Miles and Sennott at first doubles won their match in a three-set tiebreaker, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3). LaFratta and Todisco took their second doubles match in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5. Although all three of the Viking singles players dropped their matches, the trio of Hodgkins, Norris, and Gillis battled their opponents competitively.
“I’ve been very proud of the way the boys have been playing,†said Finn. “They’re working hard and never give up in every match we play.â€
Finn and her crew, who stand at 4-4 (all four of Winthrop’s losses have been by scores of 3-2), have a busy week ahead. They were set to face Revere yesterday (Wednesday), trek to Malden Catholic today, host Swampscott Monday, travel to Lynn English Tuesday, journey to Danvers Wednesday, and entertain Gloucester next Thursday.
Strong performances for
track girls vs. Gloucester
Although the Winthrop High girls track team came out on the short end of an 80-50 decision to Gloucester Monday, a number of Lady Vikings turned in strong performances in their individual events.
Christa Vaccaro was a double-winner, taking first place in the long jump with a leap of 15’-5†and in the 400 low hurdles in a time of 74 seconds. Christa also placed third in the 200 dash in 28.9.
Carly O’Keefe won the 100 high hurdles with a season-best performance of 16.4. Carly also placed second in the 100 dash in 13.6.
Heidy Benson won the 400 dash in 67.0 and placed third in the 100 dash in 13.9.
Gabriella Hinchion was a victor in the discus with a toss of 60’-0†and placed third in the shot-put with a throw of 20’-9â€.
Shanel Turransky added three points to the Winthrop cause with a second place effort in the high jump with a leap of 4’-8â€.
Other Lady Vikings who turned in nice performances were Nina Leone, who ran a strong 6:40 in the mile; Jillian Kfoury, who lowered her personal record (PR) in the 200 dash to 32.6; and sisters Kimberly and Elizabeth McDuffee, who ran great times in the 100 in 15.9 and 15.0 respectively.
O’Keefe won the Milano Award for outstanding meet performance by a Lady Viking, joining teammates Christa Vaccaro, Gabriella Hinchion, Jillian Kfoury, and the McDuffee sisters, all of whom have won the award previously this season.
Coach Warren MacPhail and his crew will face Saugus Monday.
Girls lacrosse team
runs into strong foes
The Winthrop High girls lacrosse team came across a trio of strong opponents this past week.
Last Wednesday the Lady Vikings hosted Swampscott in their home opener at Miller Field and came out on the short end of a 13-5 decision. Flora English scored two goals for Winthrop and teammates Caitlin Page, Caroline McKinnon, and Annie Mahoney scored a goal apiece.
Two days later at Salem the Lady Vikings fell short, 15-8. English and Page both reached the back of the Salem net three times and Abby Carleton and McKinnon chipped in a goal apiece.
“We were neckand-neck the whole way in a very choppy and aggressive game,†said WHS co-coach Angelina Favaloro. “Penalties put us behind and allowed Salem to take the lead late.â€
Saturday the Lady Vikings ventured to Manning Field in Lynn to take on St. Mary’s. English zipped four goals into the St. Mary’s net and Carleton scored once in the 16-5 loss for Winthrop.
 “St. Mary’s came out strong from the start and we couldn’t keep up,†noted Favaloro. “(Senior captain) Annie Mahoney was injured during the first half and didn’t return, which was a big loss for us on the defensive end.â€
Winthrop is scheduled to meet Revere Friday and Medford Wednesday.
WHS sailing team
does well in regattas
The Winthrop High sailing team has been performing well in its recent regattas.
In a quad meet at Piers Park in East Boston that was halted early because of darkness and traffic in Boston Harbor, Winthrop defeated the Landmark School, 2-1, but fell to Boston Latin, 2-0.
Michael St. Jean and Joey Bosco won three races for Winthrop, while Jake and Tyler Chiudina earned praise from WHS coach Joe Zambella. “Jake and Tyler sailed very well and had some very good finishes,†said Zambella. The duo of Lucy Floyd and Mackenzie Chiudina also earned plaudits from Zambella for their consistency and strong finishes.
Winthrop went on to defeat St. Sebastian’s the following day, but came up short in a contest with Concord Academy later in the week.
The Winthrop sailors were set to race East Boston today (Thursday) and then entertain the Pingree School tomorrow (Friday). They will host Nantasket next Friday, May 15, at the CPYC.
Lady Vikings top
Lynn English, 9-2
The Winthrop High softball team earned a 9-2 win over Lynn English this past week.
Senior Maura Lanza tossed six innings for the Lady Vikings to earn the win. The Winthrop offense was led by Taylor Thomas, who went 3-for-4 with a double and three runs scored. Christine Haskell went 2-for-4 with four RBI and scored two runs. Gabby Kenniston blasted a homer and walked twice.
WHS Sports through the years
10 years ago
May 5, 2005
Freshman Kristen Finn continued to impress for the WHS softball team, tossing two gems in victories of 5-0 over Lynn English and 2-1 over Gloucester. Finn hurled a three hitter against English and a three hitter against Gloucester. Kathryn Monahan belted a two run double against English and scored the winning run against Gloucester on a base hit by Finn.
Junior Paul Eruzione has been a key factor in the leadoff spot for the WHS baseball team, hitting .450 through the Vikings’ first nine games this season. Winthrop stands at 3-6 on the year.
The WHS girls track team routed Lynn English, 110-11, this week. Christina Datta won the triple jump with a conference-best jump this season of 33’-11â€. The Lady Vikings are undefeated in the NEC South this season, led by Danielle Doherty, who has 33 points in three meets.
20 years ago
May 18, 1995
The WHS baseball team won five of six games this past week to improve to 7-8 and stay in contention for a state tourney berth. Brian Macrina pitched a complete game in a 7-3 win over Salem and also was the winning pitcher in a 10-0 victory over Gloucester in which he hit two home runs. Michael Palmer is leading the NEC in hitting with a .472 average and Anthony Poto is fourth with a BA of .414.
The WHS tennis team’s top singles players, Sean Fertal and Kim Milligan, have paced the Vikings to a 10-4 record thus far this season, good for third place in the NEC.
30 years ago
May 15, 1985
The WHS boys track team can earn at least a share of an NEC title with a win over Saugus today. Coach Pat McGee’s Vikings ran past Beverly last week, 77-50, led by Brian Pullin in the triple jump, Robert Jarvis in the 330 low hurdles, and Jim Freeley in the high jump.
Senior Debbie Spencer pitched three shutouts to lead the WHS softball team to three wins that improved the Lady Vikings to 10-5 on the season, just behind 10-3 Gloucester.
40 years ago
May 14, 1975
Dom Marino turned in the top pitching performance of the year for the WHS baseball team with a one hitter in a 6-1 triumph over Beverly. Joe Zambello hit a three run homer to lead the Viking attack.
Bruce Rosenberg and Arnie Needleman recorded key singles wins for the WHS tennis team in victories over Lynn Classical and Swampscott.
Donna Roberts set a new WHS record in the 880 run with a time of 2:35.8 in the girls’ recent meet with Danvers.
The WHS boys track team remained undefeated with a 66-56 win over Gloucester. Kevin McGee was a triple winner with victories in the 440, 880, and high jump. Jeff Polino was a double-victor in the shot-put and discus.
50 years ago
May 13, 1965
Charlie McDermott was the hero in extra innings with a home run to centerfield in the 10th inning to give the WHS baseball team a 5-3 win over Marblehead. Billy Dooley went all the way on the mound for Winthrop.
Sophomore Steve Quinn has been the bright light for the WHS golf team, having picked up four of the team’s 10 points in four matches to date.
Richie Torrone, Mike Princi, and Larry Barron all won their singles matches to lead the WHS tennis team to a victory over Cambridge Latin.
60 years ago
May 12, 1955
Coach John Domenico’s WHS baseball team won its first game of the season this week, a 9-8 thriller over Swampscott. Southpaw Bobby Usseglio went all the way on the mound to earn the win, while sophomore Bob DeFelice and Jim Evans had two hits apiece. Winthrop followed that with a 5-4 triumph over Marblehead behind the pitching of Tommy Daw, who tossed a complete game.
70 years ago
May 10, 1945
Husky sophomore pitcher Teddy Carver made his debut on the mound for the WHS baseball team an impressive one, allowing just four hits in a 1-1 tie with Newburyport that was called after seven innings because of rain.