Applin Outdueled as Malden falls to Medford

The Medford High baseball team picked up a crucial 4-0 victory over Greater Boston League archrivals Malden in a thrilling pitcher’s duel yesterday at Playstead Park.

Mustangs ace Danny Gilchrist (5-0) outdueled his Golden Tornadoes counterpart Bradley Applin over seven innings, striking out nine and surrendering just two hits during the complete game shutout, as Medford (8-2, 3-2 GBL) took another key step towards a potential decisive showdown with league leaders Everett on May 19. The Crimson Tide blasted the Mustangs 8-1 on Tuesday, and have yet to lose in league play, making Medford’s win essential in terms of staying in with a reasonable shot at the title.

Applin was in fine form on the hill despite being on the wrong end of the decision, and several key errors behind him factored heavily in the final scoreline. The hard throwing right hander allowed just two earned runs over seven innings, while conceding nine hits.

“Bradley threw a great game, he didn’t even throw 80 pitches,” said Malden head coach Kevin Carpenito. “His changeup was really good and he was throwing his fastball for a strike. We allowed a couple of unearned runs, and you have to pretty much keep it a one run game when you play Danny Gilchrist.”

The defensive miscues, a feature of the previous clash between these two GBL titans, appeared to be largely a product of playing on natural grass for Malden, much like the speedy carpet at Pine Banks thwarted the Mustangs glove work on April 19.

“We definitely played a solid game defensively today,” Nestor said. “We didn’t make any errors, and look, we didn’t give up any runs. When we play well defensively, we’re tough to beat.”

The Mustangs were able to get to Applin early, scoring a pair of runs in the first and adding a run in the third and the fifth inning as well.

Pat Duffy (3-for-3, 2 RBIs) and Chris Hayes (2-for-3, 2 RBI’s) led the Mustangs attack at the plate, while Chris Salvati and Nick Murphy both went 2-for-3.

For Malden (5-6, 2-3 GBL), the only two hits of the game came off the bats off Adam Lucey—who reached base in all three of his trips to the plate, drawing a pair of walks—and Johnny Wilcox.

Gilchrist was in command from the outset. The fireballing righty was working the plate, changing speeds and generally befuddling the batsmen from Malden.

“Danny was on top of his game,” said Medford head coach Mike Nestor. “He was mowing them down. He was right on top of the ball, he limited his walks, and was getting ahead of the batters. (Malden) had a tough time against Danny today, and as usual, he stepped up in a big GBL game.”

Both pitchers seemed to strengthen as the game wore on, and from the fifth inning on, hits were hard to come by.

Medford took an early lead in the bottom of the first after the Golden Tornadoes left a runner marooned on third in the top of the frame.

Salvati scored on Duffy’s two-out RBI single to left, and Chris Hayes brought in Duffy with a sharply struck grounder that eluded the Golden Tornadoes shortstop and rolled into the outfield.

Duffy drove in another run in the bottom of the third, again plating Salvati who had reached with a double. 

The bottom of the fifth inning saw Applin strike out the first two batters he saw, before a high throw to first on what would have been the third out allow Duffy to reach base, and another throwing error plated him with Medford’s fourth and final run.

Gilchrist breezed through the final three innings, recording four of his strikeouts during that span, and ending any thoughts of a Golden Tornadoes rally.

Malden plays Melrose today in the second battle of Pine Banks, while Medford faces Framingham next week.