Magicians Fall to Big Blue 11-10

The lead in the baseball game between Marblehead and Swampscott Tuesday swung back and forth four or five times, ending with the Magicians unable to quite swing it back one last time.

The final: 11-10.

For seven innings Marblehead and Swampscott were mirror images of each other.

Marblehead showed patience at bat then squared up timely hits. Swampscott took free passes then hitters delivered key hits.

The Magicians hit the ball on the nose. Big Blue hit the ball on the nose.

Marbleheard hit a homer. Swampscott hit a homer.

Swampscott coach TJ Baril brought in relief pitchers.

Marblehead coach Jason Tarasuik brought in relief pitchers.

Tarasuik was happy with the effort from his team.

He got some strong innings from his starter Ross Gienieczko, strong defense from Will Quigley and Connor Green, and a clutch homer from Casey Stead.

Stead parked a two-run opposite field homer to right in the top of the seventh to pull Marblehead within a run.

He said after the game that he thought it was going to be a double.

Coach Baril said the rivals battle each other.

They are friendly off the field but that goes away between the lines.

He was impressed with his team's fortitude, continuing to come back.

Swampscott got three hits including two doubles from Trevor Massey, and well hit gap doubles from Sean O'Brien and Corey Carmody.

The coach said Justin Perry's pinch hit single to drive in the game-tying run, 8-8, in the bottom of the sixth was huge.

Perry said after the game that he was relaxed and prepared to help his team.

First baseman Mike Walsh gave Big Blue a spark in the bottom of the sixth when he hammered the ball well over the left field fence and up the hill, cutting the Magician's lead to 8-7. 

In the end, Marblehead's seventh inning rally fell short as Frank Legere gathered in a high fly to right center.

Marblehead is 3-4 on the season and plays Lynn Classical on Wednesday.

Swampscott moved to 5-2 and plays Beverly on Wednesday.