Published April 29, 2020

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — Governor Charlie Baker closed the door on the spring high school sports season on April 21 when he closed school for the year due to the Covid-19 crisis. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) was trying to work in a smaller schedule if school returned in May.

If the season started on April 27, when Baker originally postponed school there was going to be a shortened season with playoffs that would end by June 20.

When Baker extended the shutdown to May 4 the MIAA met again at the end of March.

At the meeting, they decided that if teams started practice on May 4 they could start the season on May 9 in most sports. Teams would play between an 8-12 game regular season and that the playoffs would take place with the final date moved back to June 27.

Athletes and coaches held out hope for that shortened season, even with the fact that there would only be sectional champions instead of state champs.

Their hopes were dashed last week.

“The cancellation of the season is disappointing, but not surprising, given the current state of society,” said Lynnfield High girls’ lacrosse coach Ethan Blanchette. “I think most of the players feel the same way, disappointed, but not totally unexpected. The seniors are disappointed and we have several who are very strong players and likely would’ve been considered for the Cape Ann League All-Stars. However, they have so many other things that they are having to deal with right now and athletics are probably not the top concern for many of them.”

Blanchette emphasizes with the 12th-graders.

“I feel sad for the seniors on what they are missing out on during their senior year,” he said.

Blanchette fells that his team would have been good this spring.

“I think we would’ve been pretty good, similar to what we have been over the past four to five years. We would have had around 10 to 11 wins, a tournament bid, and a good chance to win at least one game in the states.”

The Pioneers lost in the first round of the Division 2 North state tournament to Tyngsboro last year to finish 11-8

Lynnfield softball head coach Peter Marinelli agreed with Blanchette.

“Safety has to come first and it didn’t make sense to go back to school,” said Marinelli. “It is a shame for this to happen, especially for the senior class.”

The Pioneers have just one senior on the softball squad, Breanna Serabian, who played center field and was a Cape Ann League All-Star.

“Losing her is a big one for us,” admitted Marinelli. “She is one of the best outfielders I have ever coached.”

The Pioneers reached the Division 3 North semifinals last year losing to the eventual state champions, Austin Prep, to end up at 14-8.

Lynnfield boys’ tennis head coach Joe Dunn agreed with Baker’s decision.

“I think that it was the right one,” said Dunn. “The players’ safety is the most important thing.”

He also emphasizes with the seniors, as he has three on his roster.

“I am very sad for them,” he stated.

The Pioneers, who captured the Cape Ann League Kinney division title, finished at 15-4 last year as they reached the Division 3 North semifinals before losing to Weston 3-2.

Marinelli and Dunn are open to trying to schedule a game against Lynnfield alumni teams over the summer, when things get somewhat back to normal, so the teams can at least play one game together.