WHS Sports Roundup

WHS Baseball Team Ready for 2021 Season

Although it has been two full years since the Winthrop High baseball team took to the field, the pandemic-induced layoff has not dampened the enthusiasm of coach Mike DeFelice and the 2021 edition of the Viking diamondmen, who are scheduled to open their season tomorrow (Friday) when they host Marblehead at Veterans Field at 4:00.

The 2021 Vikings will be led by senior captains David DiCicco, Bobby Hubert, and Cam Conway. All three will bring a wealth of experience and athletic ability to the team.

DiCicco, a southpaw pitcher who is headed to Curry College in the fall for  baseball, will play in centerfield and at first base when he is not on the mound.

Hubert, one of the key members of the Northeastern Conference South Division champion WHS football team who is bound for Springfield College for football, also will pitch and patrol left field.

Conway, a three-sport star (basketball, football, and baseball) who is off to Penn State in September, will hold down the hot corner at third base and also will be counted upon to pitch and play a utility role in the infield.

“Our captains provide outstanding leadership and set a great tone with their work ethic and attitudes,” said DeFelice. “Those are our only three returnees to varsity baseball, as we had last year off due to the pandemic, but we have a ton of young talent and I think we are going to be a tough team to play.

“We have Leo Robertson, a senior pitcher who is headed to Salem State in the fall,” said DeFelice. “Leo looked great last year before we got shut down and picked right up where he left off when he came back this winter. 

“Cam Martin, a junior starter in the defensive backfield for the football team, is a lefty pitcher who also will play in right and center field. Cam had a great scrimmage in the field, on the mound, and at the plate this past Saturday against Swampscott,” noted DeFelice.

“Colin Kinsella is a sophomore catcher who looks like he has played varsity baseball for four years,” said DeFelice. “He is a natural young leader who excels in the classroom, the community, and certainly on the baseball field. He’s one of those kids who just loves baseball, and he plays like an old school/throwback kind of player. 

“Joey Hayes, the junior hockey captain and football player, will be our shortstop,” continued DeFelice. “Joey works like a dog each day and competes like an absolute warrior.

“Zach Bogusz, who was a sophomore point guard on the basketball team, is a left-handed pitcher and first baseman who blew us away the second he stepped on the mound a week after basketball was over,” said DeFelice. “Zach is another natural young leader and exceptional student who is completely unintimidated by stepping on the big stage with the varsity team for the first time.

“Anthony Indrisano, the starting goalie on the hockey team and  a linebacker/running back on the football team, will see time as a middle infielder, a starting pitcher, and as DH,” said DeFelice.

“Joe Ferullo, a junior who swings a very heavy bat, will DH and compete for the job at third base,” continued DeFelice. 

“Chris Gibbons, a junior hockey player, who is as gritty and competitive as they come, will play at second base,” said DeFelice. “Chris had an outstanding scrimmage vs. Swampscott, making all kinds of plays and laying out to knock down ground balls in the infield. He gives you the kind of effort that’s contagious and that you build a team around.

“Luca Zanelli, a junior who was the starting center on the varsity basketball team, made a shift from first base to outfield and surprised us all with just such a natural ability in the outfield,” DeFelice said. “Luca also swings a big bat and we are looking forward to seeing what he can do at the plate for us.”

DeFelice also greeted three seniors who will be playing varsity baseball for the first time and who also excelled in other sports: Joey Holgersen, who was the captain of the hockey team; Michael Carter, who was a two-way lineman and all-star on the football team; and Matt Skobolef, who played varsity football in the spring.

“All three of these guys showed up and from day one and have given us everything they have in terms of hard work and a superior attitude,” said DeFelice. “All three of them are competing for legitimate playing time. 

“We have been blessed with two things: A roster full of multi-sport athletes, which I think is critical for success in any sport, and just an absolutely tremendous group of young men,” said DeFelice. “They are exceptional to coach because competing matters to them, being successful on and off the field matters to them, they work hard, and they are a very tight-knit group, regardless of their age or grade. That’s exactly what you want on any team, in any sport. I couldn’t ask for a better group, and I’m excited about what the season holds for that one reason and I’m proud to coach this group.”

After tomorrow’s contest with Marblehead, the Vikings will host Saugus next Wednesday at 4:30 and will entertain Salem next Friday at 4:00.

WHS Boys Lacrosse Ready for 2021 Season

Coach Brian Donnelly and the Winthrop High boys lacrosse team have had a busy pre-season as they prepare to return to action for 2021. This past Monday the Vikings met St. Mary’s of Lynn in their first scrimmage.

“We moved the ball really well for our first time against another team and a few of our players were able to find the back of the net, including freshmen Ryan Cifuni and Robert Rich, as well as returning seniors Matt Hurley and Steve Perullo,” said Donnelly. 

The 2021 Vikings will be led by a core group of five seniors, including defensemen James Silva and Ryan Hovermale, midfielders Steve Perullo and Ricky Rosado, and attack Matt Hurley.

“They are going to be key in keeping our team together, bringing up our younger guys, and promoting a positive attitude and work ethic that has been so successful for us in building the program,” said Donnelly.

Donnelly will be welcoming a new goalie, junior Juan Guauque, an excellent athlete who recently completed a successful season as the top goal-scorer for the Winthrop High soccer team.

“We are excited to have Juan join the squad and learn the ropes,” said Donnelly.  â€œWe are super lucky to have him step up in a tough position.”

In addition to Guauque, Donnelly will be welcoming a group of freshmen and new players to the team, including Ryan Cifuni, Jack Hayes, and Robert Rich.

“We are excited to develop them into strong lacrosse players,” said Donnelly.

“The pandemic was tough for our team, in that we lost a season that we were very excited to have with some key players going on to college or private schools, but are just grateful to get out there again and be able to compete,” Donnelly said. “We have a tough schedule this year and are just emphasizing competing at every moment while having as much fun as possible.”

Donnelly and his crew were scheduled to meet Malden Catholic yesterday (Wednesday) in a scrimmage and then will open their 2021 campaign against Masconomet tomorrow (Friday) at 4:00 at Miller Field. 

That starts a stretch of four games for the Vikings in their opening week. They will trek to Marblehead on Monday and then return home to host Peabody at 4:00 on Wednesday and Saugus next Thursday at 6:00.

Spring Sports Season Swings Into High Gear

With the lost 2020 spring sports season in the rear-view mirror, the 2021 campaign swings into high gear this week for Winthrop High athletes.

The WHS softball team, under the direction of veteran coach Dave Guffey, was scheduled to open their season yesterday (Wednesday) against Saugus. The Lady Vikings will travel to Swampscott tomorrow (Friday) and will host Salem Academy Charter School Monday at the Little League field at 4:00 and entertain Marblehead next Wednesday at 4:00.

The WHS baseball season gets underway tomorrow (Friday) when coach Mike DeFelice and his crew host Marblehead at 4:00. They will entertain Saugus next Wednesday at 4:30.

Both the WHS girls and boys lacrosse teams get underway tomorrow (Friday). The boys will host Masconomet at Miller Field at 4:00, while the girls will trek to Masco. On Monday both squads will take on Marblehead, with the girls drawing the home match at Miller at 4:00 and the boys journeying northwards. Next Wednesday the boys will entertain Peabody at 4:00 and the girls will make the trek up Route 1.

Both teams will conclude their busy opening week next Thursday, with the boys hosting Saugus under the lights at Miller at 6:00 and the girls making the short ride to Saugus.

The WHS sailing team, under the direction of coach Angela Hickey, was scheduled to travel to Winchester today (Thursday) and make the long ride to Gloucester next Wednesday. The Viking sailors will meet Boston Latin next Thursday at the nearby Courageous Sailing Center in Charlestown.

The WHS tennis teams will open their season with Salem on Monday and then will encounter Swampscott next Wednesday.

The spring track season will get underway at Gloucester on May 18.

WHS Volleyball Team Wraps Up 2021 Season

The Winthrop High volleyball team wrapped up its 2021 Fall II season with a 3-1 loss to Beverly to finish with a 4-7 record.

“It was a competitive match and the players didn’t give up,” said WHS co-coach Rachel DelSolio. “They really gave it their all for the final match of the season. “Although we didn’t have a winning record, we did have a great season overall,” added DelSolio. “The players improved greatly each match and worked well together as a team. We are glad that we were able to get a season in and that the players had fun.”