WHS Sports Roundup

WHS Softball Team Swamps Swampscott

The Winthrop High softball team has begun its 2021 season with a bang, routing the Big Blue of Swampscott in the season-opener, 21-2, this past Friday, and then cruising past Salem Charter Academy on Monday, 18-2.

Sofia Vitale turned in a strong pitching performance in the Swampscott triumph. Sofia pitched all five innings, allowing just two runs on three hits, while walking only one and fanning five Big Blue opponents.

Her teammates played well on defense behind her, committing only one error, an impressive team feat after two years away from the softball diamond. Sophomore Lilly Talent saw the most action in the field, recording three put-outs and two assists in her first varsity action.

First baseman Sammi Harris, who also was seeing her first varsity action, had five put-outs and an assist. Rightfielder Juliana Guzzman turned in a pair of fielding gems, with a 9-3 force play at first base and making a shoestring catch that drew a roar from the crowd.

The team’s senior leaders all turned in solid performances. Syd Crotty was awarded the game’s Big Bat for her stellar day at the plate. Syd went 4-for-5 with four runs scored and three RBI.

Shortstop Nelly Carter also had a nice offensive day, going 3-for-5 with three runs scored.  

“It was a good team win with everyone on the bench getting to play and everyone getting on base and scoring,” said veteran WHS head coach Dave Guffey.

This past Monday the Lady Vikings hosted Salem Charter with similar results. Vitale was dominant in the pitcher’s circle. Sofia threw the first four innings, striking out 10 enemy hitters while allowing only one hit, a walk, and no runs.

Junior Ava Martello came on in the fifth for her first varsity pitching action. After walking the first two Salem hitters whom she faced, Ava overcame her initial jitters and closed out the victory with a strikeout and two pop-ups.

Guffey was forced to shuffle his lineup with the absence of catcher Katie Gagnon because of illness. Summer Tallent took up the catching chores and, obviously utilizing her hockey goaltending skills, did not allow any passed balls.

Sammi Harris moved over to third base and Izzy Mahoney took up residence at first base.

“The seniors on the team took care of business, playing dominantly from the first catch to the last,” noted Guffey. “Also seeing varsity action for the first time was Adrianna Rizzotto, who caught two innings and did a great job of receiving and blocking the ball.” 

Mahoney, who is new to the varsity this year (and who recently earned her 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do) was a force at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a pair of singles, a double, three runs scored, and two RBI.

McKenzie Magaro also saw her first varsity action at third base. 

Senior Rachel Farley has been strong in the hitting department in both victories, with five hits in six at-bats, including two doubles. Vitale aided her own cause in the two wins, with four hits and three RBI.

Tallent also has been a force on offense with five hits, including two doubles, in the two games. 

 â€œWith all the moving parts of the season, we have had a different line up in our first few games, but the kids have been great,” said Guffey. “Things have been a little crazy, considering that we only had a few days of practice before the season started.”  

The Lady Vikings will feature a group of six seniors for the 2021 campaign: Pitcher Sofia Vitale (who will be attending Regis College in the fall); infielder Izzy Mahoney (who is headed to Ithaca College); catcher Katie Gagnon (Elon University in No. Carolina); outfielder Rachel Farley (Fairfield University); infielder Nelly Carter ( UMass); and outfielder Syd Crotty (Mass. Maritime).

There are a trio of juniors, Summer Tallent, Ava Martello, and Juliana Guzzman, and a group of five sophomores, Lily Tallent, Samantha Harris, Alyssa Maturo, Mckenzie Magardo, and Julianna Demears.

“We’re very excited to get the year going after a year off and I can’t tell you how much I have missed it,” noted Guffey. “We’re looking forward to sending the seniors off with a good season.”

The Lady Vikings also have a junior varsity squad for 2021 with a lot of young players.

Guffey and his crew were set to face a stern test yesterday (Wednesday) against Marblehead. They will play at Salem Charter on Saturday and will return home to host Salem High School next Wednesday. 

WHS Boys Tennis Opens With 5-0 Win

The Winthrop High boys tennis team opened its season in impressive fashion with a 5-0 victory over Northeastern Conference rival Salem on Monday.

Junior James Sicurella, playing at first singles, led the way for the Vikings with a victory in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1. Junior Bobby Diaz recorded a clean shut-out of his Salem counterpart at second singles, 6-0, 6-0, and junior Declan Donovan was a victor at third singles in an abbreviated match, 6-0.

The first doubles tandem of senior captain Augie Cherico and fellow senior Ari Hain triumphed via a 6-0, 6-0 sweep, as did the second doubles duo of junior Ryan Kfoury and junior J.D. Parker, 6-0, 6-0.

Coach Marie Finn’s junior varsity Vikings also got to see action and likewise turned in winning performances. Sophomore Michael Soares won his singles match, 6-2, as did fellow soph Shane Fitzpatrick, 6-3.

Juniors Liam Turner and Ty Calinda won their doubles contest, 6-0; the duo of sophomore Evan Bernstein and Jack Osborne triumphed, 6-2; and the tandem of freshman Andrew Stangle and sophomore Joe Romano were victorious by a score of 6-1.

“It was a nice win to start the season,” said Finn, who once again has an excellent turnout of 17 boys for the 2021 campaign. “We have a very young team in terms of experience. All of the boys have made the jump to varsity because of the lost 2020 season. But we’re just happy and excited to be playing tennis again.”

Finn and her crew were set to take on Swampscott yesterday (Wednesday) and then will meet Gloucester on Monday.

WHS Girls Tennis Sweeps Past Salem

The Winthrop High girls tennis team opened its 2021 season in fine fashion with a 5-0 shutout victory over Salem.

Senior captain Natalia Kirilova dispatched her Salem counterpart at first singles in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0. Senior captain Jami Snow swept her Salem rival at second singles, 6-0, 6-0. At third singles, freshman Genesis Bueno also won in straight sets, 6-0, 6-4.

In the doubles matches, the first doubles tandem of juniors Emma Forsyth & Maddi Rossi edged their Salem foes in a hard-fought battle, 7-5, 7-6 (15-13). The Lady Viking second doubles duo of senior captain Emma Foley and fellow senior Karina Silva cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 victory.

“It was a good win for our first match of the year,” said WHS head coach Mike Nickerson.

Nickerson and his squad have a busy week ahead. They were scheduled to meet Swampscott yesterday (Wednesday) and then will face Peabody tomorrow (Friday), Gloucester on Monday, and Saugus next Wednesday.

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