Saturday’s baseball roundup: St. Mary’s speeds past Masconomet and into Division 2 semifinals

Stealing 10 bases in a single game will not always translate to winning, according to St. Mary’s baseball coach Derek Dana.

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But it certainly panned out that way for the top-ranked Spartans in their 4-1 takedown of No. 25 Masconomet in the MIAA Division 2 tournament quarterfinals Saturday afternoon.

“We have some pretty good speed,” said Dana. “We were able to get some good jumps, and it was definitely a key factor in the game today.”

The Chieftains’ starting pitcher, Bentley-bound righthander Drew Gustafson, recorded eight strikeouts and surrendered only three hits in five innings, making opportunistic baserunning pivotal for the hosts.

The Spartans (20-3) took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second after a double steal advanced Nate Cutone to third and Kyle Doney to second with one out. Cutone scored on a passed ball, and Doney came home on a safety squeeze by Hagen Parent.

In the bottom of the third, Kalen Huddle and Rolky Brea-Arias completed another double steal, and Huddle scored on a passed ball to make it 3-0.

“If you take the walk, get hit, whatever it is, be selfish and keep it moving,” Dana said. “We needed baserunners today. They heard that message, and we definitely benefited.”

Masconomet (14-9) scored its only run in the top of the fifth on an RBI single from Cal Weidman (2 for 4), but Jacob Peterson gave the Spartans an insurance run with an RBI single.

Brennan Malloy, who hurled the initial five innings, and JJ Avery combined for the four-hitter for St. Mary’s.

“It feels great [to get the win], but I want the championship,” Malloy said.

King Philip 1, Reading 0 — In top of the sixth, senior Brady Herlin clobbered a solo homer to push the No. 11 Warriors (15-8) past third-seeded Reading (20-3) in a quarterfinal. Matt Labriola struck out 14 while yielding just three hits.

Milton 3, Billerica 2 —Senior righthander Ryan Kelly finished off his seven-strikeout, two-walk complete game by stranding a pair of runners in scoring position as the fourth-seeded Wildcats (17-6) knocked out the No. 28 Indians (10-14) in a quarterfinal at Cunningham Park. Kelley allowed nine hits and two earned runs.

“He was battling all game,” Milton coach Greg Lannon said. “I thought about taking him out, but I wanted to give him the ball. He’s been our guy all year; there’s no one else I’d want with the ball in that situation.”

The Wildcats didn’t get on the board until the last of the sixth inning when, trailing 1-0, Ben Doak stroked a two-run single to give his team the lead and Teddy Dunn doubled him home for the eventual winning run.

“These guys have shown fight throughout the year,” Lannon said. “I knew we’d eventually break through because they’ve worked so hard. I’m impressed with the way we’ve been able to be resilient.”

Division 1

Cambridge 5, BC High 1 — Senior Joel Rojas-Cruz (three hits, two RBIs) mashed a two-run homer in the seventh inning for the No. 8 Falcons (20-2), putting them up 5-0 as they ousted top-seeded BC High (20-3) in a quarterfinal stunner, earning the first semifinals appearance in program history.

“It’s a special day for our program,” said Cambridge coach Rob Merrill.

Cambridge shut out the Eagles until the bottom of the seventh inning, thanks to a strong outing from senior lefthander Ollie Henke, who pitched six innings, striking out six while only giving up three hits. Merrill praised his senior for keeping BC High’s hitters guessing, calling it his best start all season.

“He had the stuff today,” Merrill said. “That’s a great hitting club over there and Ollie really mixed effectively today.”

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Division 3

Apponequet 6, Dracut 1 – A tried-and-true style of airtight defense, efficient pitching, and timely hitting has sent the fifth-seeded Lakers (19-4) to the semifinals for the second time in three years by beating the 13th-seeded Middies (16-7) despite a roster bereft of an elite star.

“They just love to play baseball,” said Apponequet coach Jim Cabucio. “I have to throw them out of practice. After the prom, everyone was here on a Sunday morning. Before graduation, the eight seniors were over here hitting.”

In the quarterfinals, it was senior Ryan Levesque who stood tallest, earning the win with 5⅓ innings of one-hit, one-run ball while fanning five, and delivering a clutch two-run single in the fifth inning that extended the Lakers’ lead to 3-0.

“I just wanted to hit the ball hard,” said Levesque, who was at shortstop for the 2024 semifinalists. “All through our childhood we’ve been playing together and I just wanted to do it for them.”

Apponequet went ahead 1-0 in the fourth inning when sophomore Bryce Figueroa laced a single to right, but Dracut threw out Levesque at home, but they also attempted to throw out senior Trevor Norton at third and the throw bounced into left field, allowing Norton to race home.

Junior Peter Kanakis got the final five outs and drove in a run for the Lakers, senior Devin Antonya had two hits, including a double, and scored a run, and senior Lucas Beauregard added an RBI.

Hanover 9, Pittsfield 0 — Senior Cole Hendrickson racked up four RBIs on three hits as the No. 8 Hawks (16-5) soared past top-seeded Pittsfield (15-2) in a quarterfinal shutout. Junior Will Davidson fanned 14 before Aidan Van Dyk finished up in relief with three strikeouts.

Weston 5, Norwell 1 — Ryan Hinckley was strong for 6⅓ innings, giving up an earned run on five hits with nine punchouts for the 15th-seeded Wildcats (16-7) in a quarterfinal victory over the seventh-seeded Clippers (14-7). Cole Murphy and Aidan Murphy each logged two hits, including a double apiece.

Division 4

Seekonk 5, East Bridgewater 2 — After a first inning he wasn’t happy with, Seekonk’s Cole Arruda went straight to the bullpen.

Working on his curveball, the No. 7 Warriors’ ace found his rhythm fast. He fired a four-hitter, striking out eight and retiring the final 10 batters he faced to lead the Warriors to a 5-2 win over No. 2 East Bridgewater in the quarterfinal of the Division 4 tournament.

“As the game goes on, I get more reps and I’m just more able to find my zone,” Arruda said. “After the third, I just kind of felt it.”

The Warriors (16-7) plated three in the first, headlined by a two-run single from Avian DaRosa. It was more than enough support for Arruda. The senior allowed a run in the first and the third before dialing in.

“He brings a different tempo when he pitches,” coach Joe DeMelo said. “First inning, he doesn’t look great. I turn around and he’s throwing in the bullpen. That’s what a competitor does.”

After struggling in the first, Devon Blair sat down 15 of the last 16 batters he faced for the Vikings (15-8).

Dennis-Yarmouth 5, Rockland 0 —Senior righthander Hudson Cambal tossed a three-hit shutout for the third-seeded Dolphins (18-7) as they clinched the quarterfinal victory over No. 6 Rockland (15-6). Senior Ben Rondina and junior RJ Delcourt each scored a run in the bottom of the first to put Dennis-Yarmouth on top.

Brendan Kurie reported from Lakeville, Mike Puzzanghera reported from East Bridgewater, and Joe Dimino contributed.

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