Blanks Wakefield but edged by Burlington

Published May 10, 2019

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose Red Raider baseball team is hoping to pick up more wins as they reach the halfway point of their season. Last week they split in league play which brings their record to 4-5 with an opportunity to collect more wins as they take another stab at Freedom League opponents next week. 

Despite the win-loss ratio, Melrose has seen some solid pitching, including a shutout thrown by senior captain Harry Kelley against Wakefield, a 7-inning outing by Brandon McSorley against rival Burlington and a solid start from senior Pat Coen against a tough Belmont squad. 

Melrose started the week on a winning note with a 14-1 whacking of Wakefield on Wednesday, May 1. It was a big game for senior captain Harry Kelley, who threw a shutout in four innings and was 3-3 at the plate with two doubles and several RBIs. He pitched 4 innings before giving way to senior Dillon Kaliris who finished it off in relief.

THE MELROSE Red Raider baseball team had a split week in league play against Wakefield and Burlington. (Donna Larsson photo)

“Harry has been excellent on the mound all year,” says coach Scott Searles. “He’s really been everything you want your ace to be out there.” Searles likes what he sees in the battery pairing of Liam Crovo behind the plate. “Harry and Liam have a very good sense of what they want to do together and its a great relationship,” he says. “Overall, the kids really answered the bell against Wakefield and took advantage of plus counts. They really put the barrel on the ball for most of the day.”

Melrose got off to a quick start against the Warriors when Harry Kelley hit a double and Matt McDonough a single and both were knocked in by Cam Gorman to give Melrose a quick 2-0 lead. Liam Crovo and Harry Kelley both had 2 RBI’s in the second to make it a 5-0 game. The fourth Melrose saw Crovo knock in McDonough and Gorman slugged away again helping Melrose take a 8-0 lead. An RBI by Cole Lepler helped Melrose take an eventual 11-1 win. 

Searles acknowledges it’s not the last look Melrose will get against the Warriors this year. “Wakefield has a really competitive team and they hit some balls pretty hard. I don’t believe that was their number one and I am sure next time out they will be looking for payback.” 

Melrose edged by Burlington in a league clash 

Melrose hosted Burlington at Morelli Field on Saturday evening and fell in a 4-3 heartbreaker. Nonetheless, it was a terrific effort from junior Brandon McSorley who went the distance on the mound. 

“He really pitched a good game and gave us a chance to win,” says his coach. “I’m very happy with how Brandon has thrown the ball these last couple times out. He really did deserve a win the way he pitched against Arlington and put together a very solid game again this time out.” 

Melrose was down four runs most of the game and scratched one across in the 6th. Says the coach, “We could have easily packed it in, but we clawed back in and had a chance at the end with bases loaded. Burlington is a good team, and I really liked the way our guys showed some grit there, but we just came up a little short.” 

Belmont takes advantage of Melrose errors. 

On Monday, Melrose hosted a strong Belmont (6-2) team at Morelli Field and fell in a close 7-5 loss. Taking the mound was senior Pat Coen, who had a solid effort of pitching. “We didn’t really help Pat out a whole bunch,” says coach Searles. “We made a few errors in the first inning and spotted them three right out of the gate. We really put ourselves in a hole there against a quality team.” 

Belmont took a four-run lead in the third but Melrose tied it up in the bottom of the third thanks to batting from Harry Kelley and Cam Gorman. Belmont also capitalized on fielders’ choice plays. Melrose errors led to three Belmont runs in the fifth inning. 

Melrose has their work cut out for them this week as they face competitive Reading and Winchester. Says the coach, “Those are tough games to round out the week. But there is no one we can’t beat if we play a full seven innings and clean up the mental stuff. We just have to take advantage of opportunities to win.” 

They get that chance when they host Winchester on Friday at 4:00 p.m. at Morelli Field in Melrose.