Extra-inning win over Stoneham caps solid week for Melrose

Published in the April 27, 2018 edition

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose Red Raider baseball team improved to 4-2 on the season with a 3-2 extra-inning victory over Stoneham during a sunlit day at Morelli Field on Monday. The Red Raiders prevailed in 8 innings after a winning RBI single by Rob Mele, who also took the win on the mound for his relief work. At 4-2, Melrose is aligned at the top of the Freedom League with more league play scheduled for this week. 

It was a terrific debut by junior hurler Harry Kelley, who fanned 7 batters and gave up just 2 hits in his seven-inning performance (before relieved by Mele in the 8th.) Melrose coach Bill Hirschfeld saluted Kelley for his performance. “He did a great job, and we didn’t do him any justice as far as hitting goes and even our fielding. The run that [Stoneham] got was an unearned run, so I’d say he did a nice job.” 

THE MELROSE Red Raider baseball team is off to a strong 4-2 start this season. Pictured is head coach Bill Hirschfeld and senior Will Dolaher. (Donna Larsson photo)

The same can be said for Robert Mele, who took the win in a half-inning of relief and scored the winning run at bat in the 8th inning. “Robert faced the last two batters and did a good job closing, and he scored that winning hit for us. A great job today.”

For Melrose, finding holes in the field was a challenge, but a critical 5th inning broke open a 1-1 stalemate. Jack Sullivan spoiled Stoneham’s no hitter with a shot to right. A bunt single by Mike Fennell advanced Mike Muscarella, and a Mike Koytikh single scored Sullivan and Muscarella. Melrose held a critical 2-1 lead at the end of the inning. 

Kelley, having retired the side in strikeouts in the 5th, returned to the mound for Melrose and forced three more outs. In the seventh, Stoneham would score a run off a double to center field, but Kelley fanned the next batter and forced a fly out to end Stoneham’s inning. The score remained 2-2 going into the bottom of 7th. Melrose threatened when Jack Sullivan reached on an infield error and Liam Crovo delivered a shot that nearly scored a run, until Melrose’s runner was picked off at home, sending the game to extra innings. 

Robert Mele relieved Kelley in the 8th with one out on the board and he retired the next two batters. Then he proved pivotal in the bottom of the 8th when, with runners on second and third, he knocked in Zack McGuire for the walk-off victory. 

Coach Hirschfeld spoke after the game about their efforts. “Stoneham is always a competitive team against us with tight games. Their well-coached, and that Stoneham pitcher threw a hell of a game. Their record may not indicate it, but they played pretty well.” 

The win comes on the heels of Melrose’s 1-0 victory over Wilmington on Friday, April 20. Senior Will Dolaher was impressive, throwing for a complete game with four strikeouts. Pitching has been the hallmark of Melrose’s early season, and senior Mike Muscarella also tossed an impressive game when he went the distance and fanned seven against Woburn on April 18 in a 14-8 victory at Pine Banks.

Coach Hirschfeld is quite happy with his pitching staff so far this season, but would like Melrose bats to come around. “We’re still shy of that one big hit that really opens up a game,” he noted. 

This week, Melrose is slated to play Wakefield on Thursday (weather pending) and will then hit the road on Monday to play Burlington at 3:45 p.m. 

Middlesex Freedom Standings 

               League  Overall

Burlington      3-1      3-1

Melrose         4-2      4-2 

Wakefield      2-1      2-1

Wilmington    2-4      2-4 

Watertown     1-3      3-3 

Stoneham      0-5      0-6