Braintree baseball bolsters Super 8 résumé with win over BC High

The Braintree baseball program has experienced more than its fair share of success over the past five seasons with two Super 8 titles, a Division 1 South finals appearance, and two more runs in the Super 8 tournament.

After earning a 6-1 victory at BC High on Wednesday afternoon for their eighth win in their last nine games, it appears the Wamps (12-3) are poised to make another run for some hardware this spring.

“We’re just coming together,” said Braintree coach Bill O’Connell. “We’ve shuffled the lineup a few times and now we feel like we have the right dynamics going on.”

Junior righthander Tucker Erdody (7 innings pitch, 2 strikeouts, 4 walks, 3 hits, 1 earned run) retired 11 of the first 13 batters he faced, and the eighth-ranked Wamps manufactured runs in the second and third innings before rallying for four runs in the top of the fifth.

Senior second baseman Justin Adams (1 for 3, walk, 1 run, 1 stolen base) started the inning with a single, then freshman shortstop Jordan Gorham (3 for 3, 2 runs, 2 stolen bases) junior catcher Ryan Sorgi (1 for 4, 1 RBI), and senior third baseman Mike Valicenti (2 for 4, 2 RBIs) followed with key hits and savvy base running.

The 10th-ranked Eagles (8-7) responded in the bottom of the frame, as Braintree resident Aidan Carey (2 for 3, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base) plated Sean Rafferty with a single. With runners on the corners, Pat Roche ripped an offering into the hole, but Gorham made an incredible diving stop, hopped to his feet, and beat Roche to first with a laser throw to squash a potential BC High rally.

“That play might’ve been the key to the game,” said O’Connell. “For a freshman to make that play, get on his feet, and throw a pea across the diamond, that was . . . ‘Wow.’”

With his team in position to potentially earn another Super 8 berth, O’Connell hopes Gorham won’t be the only new face stepping up in key games.

“The only one that was part of those Super 8 runs was [senior captain] Jackson Duffy, but the rest of the kids were in the stands watching,” said O’Connell. “They’ve watched it for several years in a row and here’s their opportunity to come out and play for the Wamps.”

Cardinal Spellman 11, Rockland 1 — Junior Max Kelly threw a complete game without allowing an earned run. Kelly and senior Jack Grafton, also collected two hits and 2 RBIs apiece to lead the Cardinals (4-8).

Dexter Southfield 3, Phillips Andover 1 — Senior Ben Mlavsky went seven innings and struck out six batters and senior Bobby Pearl was 2 for 3 with a home run and 2 RBIs.

Dighton-Rehoboth 13, Greater New Bedford 3 — Senior Harrison Pray (4 hits, 4 RBIs) and junior Lucas Brube (2-run homer) powered the Falcons (6-7).

Dover-Sherborn 3, Holliston 2 — Senior Matthew McGrath pitched a complete game and gave up one earned run on just four hits for the Raiders (5-10).

Marshfield 3, Bridgewater-Raynham 2 — Senior Ben Pozner earned the win with one inning of relief. He also plated the winning run in the seventh inning for the Rams (6-7).

Methuen 3, Billerica 2 — Junior Ryan Murphy went the distance and struck out 14 to lead the Indians (3-12). At the plate, Murphy also notched a double and scored a run.

Middlesex 8, Brooks 2 — Freshman pitcher Kyle Wolf struck out seven batters over three innings while also recording two hits for the Zebras (4-8).

Milton Academy 7, Tabor 6 — Junior John McLaughlin drove in the winning run for the Mustangs (5-7) with his sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Natick 5, Georgetown 2 — Juniors Will Haskell (2 for 4, 2 runs) and Ben Fosberg (1 for 2, RBI) paced the Redhawks (11-2).

Nobles 1, Governor’s Academy 0 — Senior Cole Koeppel went four innings and got the win in relief and Owen Fitzhugh scored the winning run in the 11th inning for the Bulldogs (10-4).

North Attleborough 8, Milford 6 — Seniors Todd Robinson (home run, 2 hits), Brendan McHugh (home run, 2 run, 3 RBIs), and captain Kyle Bolger (3 hits, a double, 1 RBI) paced the Red Rocketeers (7-9).

OBryant 5, East Boston 0 — Junior Matthew Ruiz threw a no-hitter with five strikeouts for the Tigers (10-5).

Plymouth South 1, Quincy 0 — Anthony Scampoli pitched a shutout and struck out five batters to lead the Panthers (5-6).

St. Sebastian’s 9, St. Mark’s 1 — Junior Matt Joyce struck out 10 batters over six innings, allowing only one earned run for the Arrows (14-3).

Thayer 5, Roxbury Latin 1 — Senior Harry MacKinlay went six innings and struck out four batters to lead the Tigers (14-6).

Walpole 6, Weymouth 4 — Senior Matt Falvey went 3 for 4 with a double and 2 RBIs for the fifth-ranked Rebels (10-3).

Wilmington 6, Burlington 5 — With two outs in the top of the tenth inning, senior Gavin Kelsey hit a double that scored the go-ahead run for the Wildcats (6-6).

Softball

Norton 3, Hopkinton 1 — Junior pitcher Sofia Knopf fired a three-hitter with nine strikeouts to lead the host Lancers (10-4) to the Tr-Valley League win over Hopkinton (12-3).

Knopf retired the last 11 batters she faced and registered 58 strikes on her 68-pitch effort.

‘‘We knew they were going to be aggressive,’’ said Norton coach Wade Lizotte. ‘‘Sofia’s job was to go out and hit her corners and she hit all her spots.’’

Norton got on the board thanks to a pair of RBIs by senior Madison Correia on a double in the third and a sacrifice fly on the fourth. Senior Liv Menyo added an RBI single in the fifth.

The win sets up a three-way tie for first atop the TVL with Norton, Bellingham, and Hopkinton.

‘‘We’re still working things out,’’ said Lizotte. ‘‘We’re on the right path right now and gelling together at the right time.’’

Amesbury 11, Rockport 3 — Freshman Ella Bezanson (3 for 5) hit a 3-run homer, recorded 3 RBIs and scored three runs to power the Indians (10-1).

Austin Prep 13, Arlington Catholic 0 — The Cougars (13-2) rallied behind a 4-for-5 performance from Brianna Meroli. The freshman picked up 6 RBIs on a pair of home runs and a triple.

Danvers 3, Peabody 1 — Sophomore Lily Eldridge and senior Alexcea Glynos combined for 16 strikeouts to propel the Falcons (9-4). Sophomore Brooke Grassia went 3 for 3 with two RBIs.

Everett 16, Lynn English 0 — Junior Veronica Bento and senior Kaylee Nearan hit home runs for the Crimson Tide (8-5).

Hanover 7, North Quincy 0 — Senior Maeg Amsler went 3 for 4 with a 3-run homer to boost the Indians (10-2).

Lynn Classical 18, Malden 1 — Senior Madison Dana went 3 for 4 with five RBIs and senior Rebecca Walker was 3 for 4 with one RBI for the Rams (9-2).

Marshfield 12, Duxbury 0 — Junior pitcher Brianna Melchionda recorded 12 strikeouts over a perfect five-inning pitching performance for the Rams (10-3).

Medford 4, Revere 2 — Sisters Kenzie and Dawn Eisnor combined on a three-run fourth inning to carry the Mustangs (11-2). Senior Kenzie hit a two-run double and sophomore Dawn scored a run to erase the deficit. In the circle, junior Emma McGlynn earned her ninth win of the season, striking out five and giving up three hits.

Methuen 14, Billerica 0 — Junior Dana Littlefield went 3 for 4 with a home run and 5 RBIs as the Rangers (10-4) qualified for the state tournament for the 19th consecutive season.

Natick 13, Ursuline 4 — Sophomore Katherine Canty (five strikeouts over three innings) and freshman Julianna Kiley (seven strikeouts in four innings of relief) combined in the circle to lead the Redhawks (9-4). Offensively, senior captain Marie Canty went 3 for 3.

North Reading 13, Lynnfield 1 — Senior Cassandra Pascucci struck out eight batters over five innings and went 2 for 4 with a grand slam and 5 RBIs to lead the No. 15 Hornets (11-1).

Norwood 3, Bellingham 0 — Senior Amanda Olbrys knocked in two runs for the Mustangs (8-3).

Rockland 14, Holbrook 2 — Senior shortstop Molly Grass paced the offense, going 2 for 3 with a pair of homer runs, 6 RBIs and 3 runs scored. Her sister, sophomore Macy, was a triple shy of the cycle (3 for 4, 2 RBIs, 2 runs). Sophomore Michaela Bruno controlled the circle, giving up four hits while striking out five for Rockland (10-3).

Walpole 28, Weymouth 1 — Sophomore Katie Lynch tossed a one-hitter for the Rebels (10-2). Offensively, senior McKenzie Rae went 4 for 6, collected 9 RBIs while blasting a pair of home runs.

Wellesley 9, Framingham 1 — Freshman center fielder Katie Osborne with 4 for 4 with 3 triples, 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored for the Raiders (7-4).

Winthrop 18, Swampscott 5 — Sophomore Brooke Costin notched two doubles, two walks, three runs, and three RBIs for the Vikings (3-9). Sophomore pitcher Sofia Vitale struck out five in five innings.

Boys’ lacrosse

Beaver Country Day 13, Landmark 9 — Senior Will Brown scored four goals to propel the Mariners (8-4).

Dover-Sherborn 15, Holliston 4 — Sophomore Pierce Gregory scored four goals and junior Erik Niit tallied two goals and three assists to lead the Raiders (10-4).

Essex Tech 16, Whittier 0 — Senior Ryder Pare scored four goals and added four assists for the Hawks (10-4).

Northeast 12, Minuteman 7 — Jose Ralda had four goals to pace the Golden Knights (8-4).

Southeastern 16, Bishop Connolly 6 — Max Gonsalves (4 goals, 2 assists) scored his 100th career goal for the Hawks (8-2).

St. John’s Prep 17, Catholic Memorial 2 — The Eagles (12-3) closed out an 8-0 run through the Catholic Conference behind three goals and five assists from Pat O’Keefe. Michael Ott and Brian Souza both score four goals off of deft passing by Keefe and Jake Surette (1 goal, 3 assists).

Girls’ lacrosse

Abington 16, Southeastern 6 — Junior goalie Jess Rix (13 saves) collected her 500th career save and senior captain Maddie Grafton racked up eight goals for the Green Wave (7-6).

Cushing 10, Worcester Academy 9 — Senior Liv Hagopian scored five goals as Cushing (4-8) secured the one-goal victory.

Notre Dame (Hingham) 16, Norwell 11 — Senior Madison Ahern scored four second-half goals to guide the third-ranked Cougars (14-5) to the nonleague win over the No. 6 Clippers (12-5) in Norwell.

A two-time All-American who will play at Notre Dame, Ahern broke a 6-6 tie 17 seconds into the second half and never let her team look back. Her four assists set the tempo while teammates junior Cara Charrette and junior Maggie Coughlin each scored three goals apiece.

Old Rochester 16, Apponequet 4 — Senior Megan Shay scored eight goals to lead the Bulldogs (10-2).

Peabody 14, Bishop Fenwick 6 — Juniors Colleen Crotty (6 goals) and Olivia Kiricoples (3 goals, 2 assists) paced the Tanners (9-5) to the tournament-qualifying victory.

Sandwich 15, Barnstable 3 — Senior Sam Gorrasi and freshman Claire Moniz each had three goals to lead the Blue Knights (11-3).

Boys’ tennis

Hamilton-Wenham 5, Manchester Essex 0 — The Generals (11-2, 7-1 Cape Ann League) clinched their third straight division title with the sweep.

Girls’ tennis

Apponequet 4, Somerset Berkley 1 — At first doubles, junior Felicia McCarey and senior Caroline Lambert won 6-1, 6-1 and the second doubles’ tandem of junior Tara Emerson and sophomore Devon Bolt earned 6-1, 6-2 victory for the Lakers (7-5).

Boys’ volleyball

Natick 3, Wellesley 0 — Junior Will Landry tallied 11 kills to lead the No. 10 Redhawks (9-4) past the Raiders in a Bay State Conference matchup.