WHS sports roundup
WHS boys tennis
nears two milestones
The Winthrop High boys tennis team raised its record to 7-2 with an exciting 4-1 triumph over Danvers this past Tuesday. The victory moves the Vikings closer to a pair of milestones. Winthrop now is just one win away from qualifying for the state tourney and is within three wins of setting a new record for victories in a season by a WHS boys tennis squad.
The triumph over Danvers also marked the first time that a WHS boys team has defeated a Danvers squad on the tennis court.
The match came down to a battle between the second and third singles players, both of which went to three sets. The Vikings had taken both doubles contests, with Winthrop’s first doubles duo of Robbie Miles and Matt Sennott handily defeating their Danvers counterparts 6-1, 6-2, and the second Viking tandem of Corey Cherico and Kyle Dalton also winning in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.
Winthrop’s top player, Noah Hodgkins, dropped his match at first singles, 2-6, 3-6, thus setting the stage for the climactic second and third singles matches. Winthrop’s number two man, Mike Norris, won his first set, 6-4, but fell in the second, 2-6. However, Mike rallied in the third and deciding set by a score of 6-2 to take the match.
At third singles, Jake LaFratta lost a long, long first set, 6-7 (12-14), but then came back to take the next two sets, 6-1, 7-5.
“Both Mike and Jake were tremendous,†said WHS head coach Marie Finn. “Theirs were the longest matches I can recall any of our players being involved in. Jake and his opponent were as evenly matched as could be, but Jake came through with a clutch performance.â€
The long match gave Finn an opportunity to use some of her reserve players in doubles matches against their Danvers counterparts. The duo of Henry Brooks and Jaylin Cordes defeated their Danvers counterparts, 6-4; Arthur Barash and Kevin Door played well in a  4-6 loss; Charlie Page and Matt Tarantino turned in a fine performance in a 4-6 match; and Cherico partnered with T.J. Dutre for a 6-2 victory.
Last week the Vikings came out on the short end of a 3-2 decision at Swampscott. The Winthrop wins came in the doubles contests, with Miles & Sennott handily dispatching their Big Blue foes, 6-0, 6-2, and Cherico & Dalton prevailing in three sets that featured a tiebreaker in the deciding set, 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (10-8).
Although Hodgkins lost at number one to Swampscott’s Matt Jacobs, who is one of the top players in New England, Finn praised Noah’s performance. “Jacobs is far and away the best player in this area, but Noah hung in there against him,†said Finn.
Norris fell at number two, 4-6, 1-6, and LaFratta came up short in the third singles slot, 3-6, 2-6.
“We’re very excited to be on the verge of making the tournament and setting a new school record for wins in a season,†said Finn. “The seniors on this team have been with the program since eighth grade and have worked tremendously hard to improve. They are a great group of boys and I am so grateful to be coaching such fine young gentlemen.â€
Finn and her crew have seven matches left in the regular season, starting yesterday (Wednesday) against Salem. They make the long trek to Gloucester today and then will play a doubleheader at Marblehead Tuesday. They host Lynn English Wednesday, Beverly next Thursday, and Revere the following Monday in the season finale.
Wallace blanks
Revere for 6-0 win
Jack Wallace pitched six scoreless innings, giving up only two hits while striking out three to lead the Winthrop High baseball team to a 6-0 victory over Revere Monday.
Jaidon Brown came on to toss a scoreless seventh frame in relief. Luigi Spinazolla had two doubles and Brown banged two hits, scored a run, and reached based three times to pace the Viking offense.
Winthrop faces a busy week ahead as it tries to make up the recent rash of rainouts.
Last Wednesday’s contest against Lynn English was halted after four and 2/3 innings, with the score tied at 4-4, which means that the entire game must be played over.
This past Friday the Vikings dropped a 6-1 decision to Danvers. Brown started his first game and, other than the fourth inning, when he gave up a grand slam, was outstanding going the distance against one of the top D-2 teams in the state. Jaidon was in command throughout the game, yielding only six hits and walking only two.
The Vikings on Saturday played Manchester Essex and dropped a tight  4-3 affair. Spinazolla knocked in two runs in the first inning, but missed opportunities continued to hurt the Vikings on the bases.
Matt Feeley had a double in the inning as well. Brown had two hits and reached base three times.
Manchester scored twice in the sixth to inning get the win.
The Vikings were set to play Marblehead yesterday (Wednesday), Northeast Regional today (Thursday) and the makeup game with English tomorrow.
Lady Viking softball
still struggling
The Winthrop High softball team recently came up on the short end of an 8-1 decision to a strong Beverly squad.
Despite the loss, there were some highlights for the Lady Vikings. Gabby Kenniston reached base three times for Winthrop via a base hit, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch.
Centerfielder Alexis Joyce turned in what WHS head coach Dave Guffey termed a “career day†by making five, highlight-reel catches and throwing a perfect strike to home while the game was still tied in the third inning, though the ball was dropped when the runner slid into catcher.
Winthrop loaded the bases with none out in the first inning on two hits and a walk, but came up empty in the run column when the next Winthrop hitters popped up and hit into a double play.
Maddie Finga’a, Ali Scarfo, and Bella Perrotti also had base hits for Winthrop, with Bella driving in Winthrop’s lone run.
“Our biggest problem has been leaving runners on base,†noted Guffey. “We’ve been averaging eight LOB per game this season and we left 11 on against Beverly.â€
Guffey and his crew were scheduled to play at Marblehead yesterday (Wednesday) and host Salem today. Swampscott comes here Monday and the Lady Vikings will make the long trek to Salem next Wednesday.
Girls lax team
defeats Malden
The Winthrop High girls lacrosse team defeated Malden, 14-2, last Friday. Goal scorers for the Lady Vikings were: Julia Duplin (2 goals, 2 assists), Abby Carelton (3 goals, 2 assists), Emma Carelton (2 goals, 1 assist), Alyssa Ferrara  (4 goals, 1 assist), Danielle Bocchio (2 goals, 1 assist), and Deanna Pucillo (1 goal, 1 assist).
In a 13-9 loss to Revere Saturday, Meg Mahoney, Duplin, and Carelton notched three goals apiece.
Coach Bridget Dullea and her squad were set to meet Danvers yesterday (Wednesday) and then will host Peabody tomorrow and Salem next Wednesday.
 From the Press Box
The second greatest clutch hitter
By: Jim Lederman
The Red Sox are playing the ‘hated’ New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Friday night baseball in the ‘Big Apple.’ I am watching the second greatest clutch hitter in Red Sox history.
David Ortiz is “number two†– Big Papi just hit a monster home run, number (452 as a Sox player), he tied Captain Carl. Next week he will be second only to Ted Williams.
Theodore Samuel Williams, one of the “Greatest players†in baseball history is ‘number one’ in home runs in Sox history. The “Splendid Splinter†– Teddy Ballgame, are just a couple of media ‘nicknames’. In 1960 I was Fenway Park to watch Ted Williams in his final at bat before he retired, hit a home run.
I paid $5 for a ticket to watch baseball history. In 2004 I was at Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox complete the ‘greatest come back in Sox history. The Red Sox trailed the Yankees (3-0) in the playoffs. The Sox won four in a row, to win the series en route to their first “World Series†in 86 years. David Ortiz hit a mammoth home run to aid the comeback.
Yes, I watched two memorable “Fenway Memories’ and I can say I watched two of the greatest clutch players in Sox history.
Yes, you can say ‘Captain Carl’ Yastrzemski was a great player and is “number three†for home runs in Sox history. “Big Papi’ has three World Series rings. I watched Larry Bird win three NBA Championships at the legendary old Boston Garden (1981, 1984, 1986). I was at the Garden in 1972 to watch Bobby Orr score the winning goal leading the Boston Bruins to a Stanley Cup in 1972. I’ve had many Boston Garden memories; the Stanley Cup was one of many.
Boston – The sports capitol of the country. The Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics have captured – 11 titles since 2000! New York and Los Angeles used to have championship teams! We are blessed to live in New England. Will Tom Brady lead the Pats to a 5th Lombardi Trophy?
(Editor Note): David Ortiz hit two homeruns on Sunday night to lead Sox to a (5-1) victory over the Yankees.
Touchdown Tony
I had to ask – Where have the years flown by so fast? I watched the start of the 2016 little league season and observed Anthony Palmer Jr. in the Transcript. His proud dad is Anthony ‘Touchdown Tony’ Palmer. ‘TD’ was given the nickname by ‘the Voice.’ Anthony led the Vikings to two NE titles and two ‘super bowl’ playoff games at Miller Field in 1992 and 1993.
Anthony was a two-time Boston Herald all-scholastic player. ‘TD’ holds two records that will not be broken! Anthony scored 196 points for the all-t9me NEC single season scoring record. Anthony scored 338 points in his Viking career. Anthony rushed for 3,753 yards in his Viking career.
‘Touchdown Tony’ scored 30 points on Thanksgiving, 1993 in a Viking (49-22) Viking victory. Winthrop halfbacks have led the Vikings to many NEC championships. We salute ‘Touchdown Tony’ Palmer! Twenty-three years since ‘TD’ was the best half – back in the North Shore – Lynn Item Player of the Year!
Trivia
Name the two all-tine assist leaders in Viking hoop history?
Name the four all-time single football-scoring leaders in NEC history?
Name the all-scholastic Viking athletes that were two-time (junior and senior years) players?
Two teams in the NEC have each won only one conference title in football. Can you name the schools?
Derby Day
The first Saturday in May, the sun should be shining, but it is rainy and cold in Winthrop. I had to turn the heat on.
In Lexington, Kentucky, the nation turns to the “fastest two minutes in sports†the legendary Kentucky Derby. The 142nd run for the roses.
Churchill Downs was filled with 170,00 racing fans. The only athlete they did not show was TB 12 – Tom Brady.
I ad to consult with a prominent horse owner and handicapper – ‘J.A.’ He selected four horses for my exacta. The two favorites finished in a (13-11 exacta) the payoff was low for a Kentucky Derby, but the race was exciting!
I had to turn off the TV after watching the $211 million dollar pitcher David Price give up 6 more runs! He gets paid one million a start!
Oh well, I will have to wait until Saratoga opens in July. “Two minutes till postâ€
A Miracle
The man they call “Neumie†– Bob Neumier was back on NBC at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. Bob had a very serious stroke a year ago and his fans did not believe he would return to television sports broadcasting.
I was in the ‘Press Box’ at Alumni Stadium at Boston College on a bitter cold Saturday in December of 1981 – 35 years ago! I was a color man for radio station WESX – 1230 AM in Salem – The high school sports station for many years on the North Shore – broadcasting high school sports – football every weekend.
The undefeated 1981 – WHS Vikings were playing Tewksbury in the super bowl at Boston College. Bobby Neumeier was a rookie TV sportscaster for WBZ TV, was covering the game. Winthrop resident and former BC football player Ed King – Governor was also in the ‘Press Box.’
I would see Bobby N. every year at Saratoga racetrack. He is an expert horse expert on NBC for many years. Great to see him and watch him on CSNE television!
“Two minutes to post – they are in the gateâ€
See you at Suffolk Downs!
Around the NEC
The NEC athletic directors are busy rescheduling al the games, meets and matches, after two weeks of rain.
Coach Marie Finn’s boy’s tennis team is having a record season. The squad could break records for most victories. Behind a strong senior class led by hockey captains Noah Hodgkins and Mike Norris and senior Jake LaFratta they are tearing up the NEC.
Dan Ventura’s Boston Herald top teams in baseball includes Swampscott. The Big Blue behind the stellar pitching of junior Gavin Sullivan (son of ex-Viking all-scholastic Chuck Sullivan and Pam Sullivan) have a (8-2) record. Danvers (9-2) is strong on the diamond.
Lacrosse is the fastest growing sports. A look at the ‘Super Six’ in the Boston Herald shows all the growing schools with new turf fields and stadiums have big programs for boys and girls Lacrosse. Manchester – Essex h as a fantastic new turf stadium. Marblehead has a very big Lacrosse program. We need a new “Miller Field†track and stadium to compete with the great athletes we have in Winthrop.
Vote ‘Yes’ in June!
For Lacrosse and track at the “New Miller Fieldâ€
Let the Games Begin!
NFL Draft Party
The 2016 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28th, was anti-climatic. The Patriots did not have a first round selection, because of ‘Deflate Gate’.
I enjoyed an exciting draft party with six members of the New England Patriots and their agent Sean Stellato at the Kowloon restaurant. The 2015 Lombardi Trophy was in the house.
Patrick Chung, Ryan Allen, Rob Ninkovitch, Branden King, Rufus Johnson and Joe Vellano, captured a crowd of 295 Patriot fans. Pictures of the Draft Party are in this weeks Transcript.
The Patriots open practice in two months and we will have to wait until Tom Brady’s suspension is resolved.
Sean Stellato and a Patriots player will be at Winthrop high school on May 25th. How long before the Pats return to the gridiron at Gillette?
Let the Games Begin!
Vikings shutout the Patriots
The Vikings baseball ‘nine’ shut out the Revere Patriots (6-0), behind the stellar pitching of junior ‘ace’ Jack Wallace.
Jack limited Revere to 2 hits and tossed 6 solid innings on 60 pitches, Monday at Vet’s Field.
The Vikings got solid hitting from junior Luigi Spinazzola (3-4) RBI, Jake Adamson (2 hits) RBI- soph Jaidon Brown 2 hits RBI and Wallace one RBI.
The Vikings will send Wallace to the mound on Friday afternoon against Lynn English.
The victory was only n umber three for the young Vikings squad. The warm weather should help the Viking hitters in May!
Play Ball!
Let the Games Begin!
WHS sports years
10 years ago
May 11, 2006
Freshman Matt Moore did it all for the WHS baseball team on the mound and at the plate to lead the Vikings to a 2-1 win over Marblehead. Moore tossed a two-hitter with five strikeouts and brought home Paul Eruzione with the winning run with a perfectly-executed suicide squeeze. Eruzione had three hits, including a triple for an RBI.
The WHS boys track team defeated Swampscott, 65-57, to move into position to win the NEC title. Pat Medeiros clinched the meet with a win in the two-mile in a PR time of 11:27 and was hoisted by his teammates above their shoulders after he crossed the finish line for a jubilant victory trot across Miller Field as the sprinklers turned on at dusk. Shane Mulkerrin was a doubt winner for the Vikings in the triple jump and discus.
The WHS softball team had a frustrating week with losses of 4-2, 2-1, and 1-0. Sara Carroll tossed all three games and deserved a better fate. Carroll allowed just 15 hits, struck out 22, and had a 2.43 ERA in 23 innings of pitching.
The WHS girls track team now stands at 5-2 after three wins in the past week. Kristina Datta was the top scorer for Winthrop in all of the wins, taking the 100 dash, triple jump, and long jump, as well as running a leg of the 4 x 100 relay.
Winthrop’s Nicole Gennaco placed third in the all-around among 70 competitors at the Mass. Gymnastics Championship Meet held recently in Sandwich.
20 years ago
May 9, 1996
The WHS boys track team stands at 6-1 in the NEC and recently finished in fifth place out of 40 teams in the Class D State Relays.
30 years ago
May 14, 1986
The WHS girls track team handily won the NEC all-conference meet with an amazing nine first-place finishes out of the 13 events.
The WHS boys track team claimed an undisputed NEC title with an 86-41 win over Saugus. At the recent all-NEC Meet, John Bower won the discus, Chris Sirianni captured the 100 dash, and Jim Ezekiel was the mile champ.
40 years ago
May 12, 1976
Bonnie Price set a new WHS school record in the 50 yard dash at the NEC Freshman-Sophomore Meet with a time of 11.5 seconds, which also is the second-fastest time set by a girl in the state this season. The Lady Viking varsity track team currently is undefeated in its quest for an NEC title.
50 years ago
May 12, 1966
Bobby Kneeland fanned 12 Marblehead batters in a 5-2 win for the WHS baseball team.
Steve Lorance broke his own home record in the shotput with a heave of 50’-2†against Amesbury. Lorance also won the discus event. Teammates who also won their events were Billy McNeil in the mile, Tom Ryan in the 440, Kevin Shields in the 880, and Bob Doig in the two mile.
Despite victories by Capt. John Donahue and Steve Quinn, the WHS golf team dropped its match with Gloucester.
Dave Bidmead, Hank Tarbi, and Steve Rosenthal all won their singles matches to lead the WHS tennis team to a victory over Cambridge Latin.
Boston Patriot star defensive end Bob Dee will be the guest speaker at the Father-Son Communion Breakfast Sunday at Holy Rosary Church.
60 years ago
May 10, 1956
Co-captain Freddy Sheldon shattered the WHS school record in the broad jump with a leap of 19’-11†to lead the track team to a win over Amesbury. Sheldon also won the 440 race. Other winners in their events for Winthrop were Pat Staff in the high jump, Bill McGeorge in the 880, Larry Reid in the mile, and Frank Lazzarino in the shotput.
70 years ago
May 9, 1946
Winthrop received a one-hit, 10-strikeout performance from Arnie Johannesen in a 7-0 win over Newburyport. Teddy Carver also turned in a strong pitching performance with a four-hitter in a 7-2 victory over Danvers. Buddy Johnson was 4-for-5 in the Newburyport contest.