Ever since spring training, when the varsity baseball team traveled to Florida, head coach Gary Simmons says he knew he had a strong group of players. This was proven with the Vineyarders’ win on Wednesday in the second round of the playoffs against the Dedham Marauders. No other team in the history of the high school baseball program has won two playoff games.
The Vineyarders started the game in the field with James Sashin on the mound, keeping the Marauders scoreless. In the bottom of the first inning the Vineyarders leaped out in front with four runs, the first scored by Elias Fhagen-Smith. By the second inning, the Vineyard was ahead 5-0 and Dedham’s lineup grew somber. In the third inning, however, Dedham scored its first run, bringing some life to the squad. But then, also in the third inning, Vineyarder Sam Bresnick hit a double that almost cleared the fence, then stole third and later reached home.
Dedham, a team that the Vineyard was playing for the first team this season, scored their second run in the fourth inning, but by this time the score was 8-2.
The top of the fifth had Mr. Sashin still pitching and Dedham loaded the bases. Chris Mayhew caught a pop fly to make the third out and shut down the rally. The sixth inning brought Jack Sierputoski to the mound to close out the win. With the score still at 8-2 in the seventh inning, he struck out the last of Dedham’s batters and the game was over.
Although Coach Simmons expressed confidence in his team from the beginning, he also said the start of the season was less successful. “It was rough early on. They were struggling. I couldn’t really explain it.”
After a string of losses, the team turned it around and went on to win 12 of the last 15 games.
The Vineyarders’ next game is today at 4 p.m. against Norton High School at Stonehill College.
The Vineyard tennis teams also advanced to the semi-final round of the south sectional division three tournament. The boys’ team defeated Bourne 5-0 on Wednesday and plays undefeated Dover-Sherborn today at 4 p.m. at Dover-Sherborn High School.
The girls’ team defeated Braintree 5-0 on Tuesday in a match that was played indoors at the Vineyard Tennis Center due to rain. The two-time defending state champions delivered strong serves and quick responses throughout the match. Whispers of “strategy” could be heard from the Braintree girls watching by the window.
Assistant coach Liz Roberts was happy with the way her team had played.
“I’m confident in our team, but I don’t take any match for granted,” she said.
The girls’ tennis team plays at home today at 3 p.m. against Monomoy.
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