Weekly Sports Roundup, July 9-17

The firing of Medford High soccer coach Mike Petrides caused a strong reaction from the MHS players this week, as a group of them showed up at a city council meeting this week to make their voices heard on the matter. The team has a meeting with high school headmaster Paul Krueger, who was responsible for the decision, on Monday morning to discuss the matter further. Petrides was the varsity coach at MHS for 11 seasons, and led the Mustangs to an 10-2-5 record last year.

There was action on the field too, so with no further delay, here’s a look at what transpired around town in the world of sport last week.

Bay State Games

Soccer

Medford High’s Jeff Mwangi scored for Metro on July 9, but was unable to keep them falling, 3-2, against West as they squandered a two goal lead in the second half and finished the summer tournament in fifth place and out of medal contention.

Softball

Metro and Northeast played to a 4-4 draw on July 9, and Medford’s Kaleigh Finigan (Austin Prep) turned in some solid glove work at third base. The day’s second game for Metro saw Finigan figure prominently again, as the sophomore swatted a two-run triple to help propel Metro to a 7-0 rout of West.

Metro would end up with silver medals, as they fell 4-3 in the gold medal game to Coastal. Medford High’s Jackie Pellecchia, a junior, and Finigan each drove in runs with singles, but to no avail.

Basketball

A pair of Mustangs led the Metro attack in the opening game of the basketball tournament, leading their team to a convincing 71-58 win over Central. MHS star Maurice Magras dropped a game-high 21 points, while Larry Keating added 11, as Metro, coached by Medford High varsity coach Anthony Faradie started out on the right foot. Metro split its games on Friday, with an 86-75 win over Northeast and a 100-91 defeat against Coastal.

Lacrosse 

Junior Ryan McCarthy (Medford High) led all scorers with four goals as Metro/Southeast took a 9-7 decision over Central to open the lacrosse tournament on July 14. John Camara (Matignon), a Medford native, added two goals for Metro/Southeast. The squad would split a pair of games on July 15, losing 14-3 against Northeast in the day’s first game, before registering an 11-10 victory later on that afternoon.

Intercity League

The Andre Chiefs (10-7-1) began the week with a doubleheader against the Mooney Dental Tanners on July 9, and walked away from the encounter with a split. The first game was thrilling pitcher’s duel, and Rob Machado (2-3) worked a complete game, striking out 14 batters, but took the loss, as Mooney Dental stole the 1-0 victory. The Chiefs weren’t leaving anything to chance the second game, and trounced Mooney Dental, 9-0, behind Mike DiCato’s brilliant no-hitter. DiCato (1-2) struck out nine, and a hit batsmen was all that separated him from perfection. Andre’s offense was keyed by Tony Deshler, who slugged a home run and a double, plating five runs in the process, and Paul Yanakopoulos tripled and went 2-for-4.

Jared Freni continued his fine run for the Chiefs on July 10, as he improved to 4-0 in a 3-1 win over the Watertown Reds. Freni allowed one run on four hits over seven innings, while striking out seven. Jesse Bruinsma, Mike Andre and Rick Vail accounted for the Chiefs offense.

On July 13 the Chiefs played to a 5-5 draw with the Testa Corp. Bombers, and the next day were downed by the Wakefield Merchants, 3-1. July 15 saw the team take on the Arlington Trojans, and come out ahead, 5-3. Tim Dunphy (2-0) picked up the win, working seven while letting up three runs. Vinny Pennell and Andre both picked up a pair of RBIs, and Justin Crisafulli doubled.

The Medford Americans began their week with a 12-7 win over the Arlington Trojans on July 10, in the first game of a doubleheader. Dan Walsh (2-2) picked up the win, working seven innings and striking out two, while Medford’s offense came from Dan Gunn (2-for-2, 4 RBIs), Joe Sheehan (3-for-4, HR, 3 RBIs), James McConville (2-for-4, 2 RBIs) and Jake Ohanesian (3-for-3, 2 RBIs, 2 2Bs). Game two went in the opposite direction, as Arlington pulled out a 11-3 win. Gunn, McConville, Danny Gilchrist and Mike Burgoyne picked up RBIs for the Americans in the losing effort. Medford would fall again the following day to the Watertown Reds, 11-8, as the Americans squandered an early eight run lead thanks to five errors behind Ryan McNiff. Jake DelPonte drove in an eye-popping seven runs, as he swatted a pair of homers.

The week ended with a one-sided, 7-0, loss against the league-leading Lexington Blue Sox on July 14. Jose Polanco, McConville and Sheehan had Medford’s only hits on the day.

Yawkey League

The Medford Maddogs played three games last week, and were unable put any in the win column. Medford is now 10-6 and tied for last place in the Yawkey League’s Ted Williams Division. The Maddogs fell to the McKay Club Beacons on July 9 by a score of 5-2, and managed just three hits against James Dalton, McKay Club’s starting pitcher. Medford then fell twice against the Revere Rockies on July 10 and 12. Buddy Hanley and Matt Delaney both scored runs against Revere on the 10th, while Marty Dunlap homered and drove in two on the 12th.

American Legion

Medford Post 45 went 3-3 over its last six regular season games, recording wins against  Arlington on July 10, Natick on July 12 and Somerville in the season finale on July 15, and finish the regular season at 7-10, with 15 points. Third place in District 5C. Nolan Brennan recorded 12 strikeouts for Post 45 during their 11-4 rout over Arlington, and Chris Salvati followed suit, fanning 10 against Natick, as Medford emerged with a 12-4 win.

Post 45 will begin play in the American Legion District 5 playoffs next week.