Boys lacrosse enters stretch run of season; hosts Danvers Saturday
The Winthrop High boys lacrosse team split its two games this past week, falling to Northeastern Conference North Division powerhouse Masconomet, 13-5, but rebounding for a 14-3 win over NEC South rival Gloucester this past Monday.
“The boys had a rough game against a very good Masco team last Thursday,” said WHS head coach Brian O’Donnell. “Masco was definitely one of the toughest teams we have seen this year. Their defense was super solid and limited our ability to get shots off.
“I wish we were able to challenge their goalie a bit more, but we were just unable to get solid shots on net,” Donnelly continued. “I think when we were able to get some shots off, our shot selection left something to be desired. We spent the majority of time in transition and on defense, which isn’t a way to win games. They were a really solid team though and despite the score our guys never gave up and didn’t hang their heads.”
The Vikings soon rebounded in their next contest and pulled away for a 14-3 triumph over Gloucester.
After a slow start (Winthrop held a slim 3-2 lead after one period), the Vikings turned on the proverbial jets in the second period.
“We saw our scoring coming from a bunch of different guys, which is always what you want to see,” said Donnelly.
Seth Sacco put on a dominant performance, scoring five goals and earning two assists. CJ Cifuni continued to be a point-scoring machine, adding five assists and two goals.
“CJ’s dodging ability has improved massively throughout the year, and he creates opportunities for the players around him,” Donnelly said. “He is unselfish with the rock and makes the guys around him perform better.”
Mike Holgersen found the back of the Fishermen’s net a few times to record a hat trick with Colin Cifuni also getting some snipe shots from the outside.
“It was also great to see Paul Ferrara, our long pole middie, score a varsity goal, as well as his cousin Michael finding the net late in the game for his first varsity goal ever,” noted Donnelly.
“Overall, the team is headed in the right direction as we get into the home stretch of the season,” the coach added. “We just need to learn to put four quarters of the lacrosse we know we can play so we can continue to compete with teams like Danvers and Marblehead, and then as we head into playoffs.”
Donnelly and his crew, who stand at 11-2 on the season, were scheduled to trek to NEC South rival Salem yesterday (Wednesday) and then will host Danvers on the turf at Miller Field this Saturday at 10 AM.
“If we win both of those, we will win the NEC South, so hopefully we will come out with the right attitude and energy to make it happen,” Donnelly said.
They will entertain Northeast Regional on Monday evening at 6:00 that will be highlighted by Senior Night festivities starting at 5:30.
They will trek to Marblehead next Tuesday and to Wilmington next Thursday for their season-finale.
Vargus spins no-hitter in win over Swampscott
Senior Timmy Vargus turned in what WHS head baseball coach Jack Wallace termed “the best game of his life” to lead the Viking baseball team to a 2-0 victory over Northeastern Conference (NEC) South Division archrival Swampscott last Wednesday.
Vargus dazzled the Big Blue hitters with a complete game no-hitter in which he fanned 11 Swampscott batters.
“Timmy had all three of his pitches working and I was extremely proud of his confidence,” said Wallace. “He has worked hard for four years and it all came together this day and this whole season.
“This was one of the best pitching performances for the Winthrop High baseball team in the last 15 years,” Wallace continued. “With Timmy on the mound, I will take him vs. anybody the way he’s thrown all season.
“Everyone rallied behind Timmy as we got out of a lot of jams,” said Wallace. “Senior Catcher Philly Boncore had a great game behind the dish and the whole team played tight defense.”
The Viking offense was led by sophomore Michael D’Ambrosio, who had two hits and scored a key insurance run in the seventh on a clutch hit by senior Jay Fotiades.
“Michael has been a huge spark plug,” said Wallace. “He works hard and is very coachable.”
Soph Jojo Pumphret slashed a double, and he and Boncore both reached base twice. Soph Dom Spinale added a single to maintain his average above .300.
Freshman Braedan Lounsbury added a single and layed down a key bunt to move D’Ambrosio to second in the seventh inning.
“This game showcased our potential if we play hard and believe in each other and throw strikes on the mound,” said Wallace. “This was a big win for the program as we have battled Swampscott for a very long time.”
The Vikings will host Gloucester tomorrow afternoon (Friday) and meet Medford at Veterans Field on Sunday at 11:00 to conclude their game that was called because of darkness with the score tied at 3-3 after eight innings.
They will travel to Marblehead’s Seaside Park on Monday and host Ipswich next Wednesday.
WHS softball playing tough
With all of the rain last week, the Winthrop High softball team ended up being able to get only one game in, that coming last Wednesday with Swampscott on Cellucci Field.
“We played hard, but lost 10-5,” said WHS head coach Erin Vercruysse. “Lucy Boncore struck out 11, Makayla Herdt had a hit with two RBIs, and we had four stolen bases.”
Vercruysse and her crew have a busy week ahead thanks to all of their make-up contests. They were scheduled to travel to Rockport this past Monday and to Masconomet this past Tuesday. They will
host Salem today (Thursday) at Cellucci at 4:30 and then make the long treks to Gloucester tomorrow (Friday) and to Hamilton-Wenham on Saturday.
They will return home to conclude their season with contests vs. Marblehead next Monday and Northeast Regional next Wednesday (May 21) which will be highlighted by Senior Day festivities.