SOFTBALL
Gloucester 5, Swampscott 0: The Fishermen continued to impress, improving to 7-0 on the season with another Northeastern Conference victory. Freshman pitcher Abby Noble was on her game once again, striking out 13 in a complete game effort. Emma Carripichosa led the offense with a pair of doubles and two RBI while Laila Ciarmitaro went 2-for-3 as well at the plate. Defensively, Ava Paone shined at second base.
“She was very strong defensively today,” said coach Bryan Aiello. “Made a couple of really nice plays.”
Gloucester will host Georgetown on Friday at 4:30 looking to continue its unbeaten start.
Pentucket 21, Rockport 0: Gretel Marshall led off the game with the Vikings’ only hit of the afternoon in the setback. Defensively, shortstop Addie Gardner played well while Amelie Severance made a running catch in the outfield to help her team out of a bases loaded jam. Rockport (now 0-6) will look to get some offense going in its next game on Monday morning (10 a.m.) at Manchester Essex.
North Reading 9, Manchester Essex 7: The Hornets (3-2) battled back from a 7-2 deficit but ultimately fell short against their CAL foes. Penelope Riggs was on fire at the dish, going 4-for-4 with two doubles and a triple in the loss. Anna Gardner and Cordelia Riggs each doubled to drive in runs while Abby Aiello went the distance in the circle to keep her team in it.
BASEBALL
Gloucester 4, Swampscott 1: Brayden Francis went 5 2/3 innings on the mound, allowing just one run before Nico Alves shut the door to earn the win for Gloucester. It was the Fishermen’s fifth straight win to start the season.
Offensively, Jaylen Severino went 2-for-4 at the plate, putting his team ahead twice, including for good on a two-run double to deep right in the seventh. Alves, Matt Smith, Trey Marrone, Nolan Aiello and Charlie Amero also recorded hits in the win.
Gloucester will to continue its tremendous opening to the year when it heads to Northeast Tech for a Saturday afternoon matchup (4 p.m.).
BOYS TENNIS Gloucester 3, Bishop Fenwick 2: The Fishermen (2-4) won their second straight match by sweeping the singles action on the road Wednesday afternoon. Freshman Shane Widtfeldt secured the deciding point, earning a clutch 6-4, 6-4 victory at first singles. Trey Bushfield also came up huge at No. 2 singles, pulling out a 6-2, 6-1 triumph.
“Big varsity moment for Trey,” said Gloucester coach Derek Geary. “It wasn’t a gimme match; Trey was forced to play long points, kept his cool and provided an essential win.”
At third singles Julian Nixon solidified the team win with an impressive 6-1, 6-0 win.
“He was very consistently with lots of low dipping passing shots,” added Geary.
Gloucester is back on the courts on Friday at home against rival Beverly (4 p.m.).
Manchester Essex 5, Amesbury 0: The Hornets (5-0) cruised to another win behind singles victories from Jack Cummins (6-0, 6-1), Alex Montaresi (6-0, 6-0) and Ben Tobin (6-4, 6-2), the latter of whom was filling in for an absent Charlie Langendorf and delivered with a great performance. In doubles action the duo of Finn Birkeland and Jack Lawler prevailed, 6-0, 6-2, as did Shay Engelhardt and Charlie Rubens, 6-0, 6-1. Manchester is back in action on Friday at home against Ipswich (3:30 p.m.).
GIRLS TENNIS
Rockport 3, Saugus 2: The Vikings (2-2) evened their record thanks to doubles wins from Tessa Twombly/Brooke Cote (6-1, 6-1) and Zoey Parker/Fiona Hebert (6-3, 7-6 (7-1)), as well as a singles triumph from Aili Mattson in the top slot. Mattson prevailed, 4-6, 6-2, 10-8 (super tiebreak) to give her team the victory.
“Aili won in an incredible match,” said Rockport coach Stacey Twombly. “Good mental toughness of leaving the first set behind and coming out strong in the second set. The third set tiebreak was knotted up at 8-8 and she really dug deep.”
Gabby Lucido also battled in the final match of the day at second singles before falling short 7-6, 10-8. Gracie Flaherty also had a nice performance at third singles filling in for Mariana DeBenedictis. She battled to a 3-6, 2-6 defeat.