The Franklin Panthers are no joke – a team with an explosive offense and high-level talent. But on Saturday morning, they were no match for the St. John’s Prep lacrosse team, which won 16-8.
Prep raced out to a 9-4 halftime lead before withstanding a third quarter comeback bid from the Panthers. Offensively, the Eagles were led by Jimmy Ayers (4 goals, 2 assists), Matt Morrow (3 goals), and Jake Vana (2 goals, 3 assists) making his return from an injury.
Lucas Verrier (2 goals), Nick Schibli, Luke Kelly, Harlan Graber, Will Sawyer, and Cam McCarthy all scored. Chris Esposito won half of his faceoffs (13 for 26) while Gavin Kornitsky made 12 saves on 20 shots.
Sam Wilmot, Jack Weissenburger, and Ryan DeLuica all performed well on the defensive end.
BOYS LACROSSE
Beverly 10
Peabody 3
Peabody led 3-1 in this one, then, the Panthers pounced on Saturday. The Tanners have now lost four in a row since starting the season 4-0.
After scoring 38 goals in its first four games, Peabody has netted just 22 in its last four.
Swampscott 7
Peabody 6
Jason Codispoti scored four goals with an assist to lead the Swampscott lacrosse team to a 7-6 overtime win against Peabody on Tuesday, April 18.
Liam Keaney played the role of the hero, registering two goals, including the game-winner to end it. Liam Herlihy scored a goal, and Timmey Sheehan made 18 saves for Swampscott.
“The game was obviously close the entire time. Luckily, Peabody was never in front,” Swampscott coach Geoff Beckett said. “Timmy Sheehan made huge saves in overtime and Liam Keaney scored it in transition before Peabody could get in on defense. Jay Domelowicz and Eli Zaklin played outstanding on defense, not giving Peabody an inch.”
BASEBALL
Chelmsford 7
St. John’s Prep 6
Friday was a competitive one between St. John’s Prep and Chelmsford, but Chemsford’s six-run second inning was the difference-maker. Trailing 7-2 in the seventh, Prep rattled off four straight runs, but to no avail.
There was no shortage of hitting, however, as Prep recorded 13 hits. Cam LaGrassa (3 hits), Aidan Driscoll (2), Nate Marston (2), Will Shaheen (2), and Marco Zirpolo (2) all played well.
Prep, which committed two more errors than Chelmsford, dipped its record to 3-3.
Danvers 7
Peabody 4
The Tanners didn’t get the result they wanted, falling to Danvers 7-4 on Friday. That said, positives were aplenty. Peabody’s Ryan Brunet ripped a two-run single and Reymi Andino went 3-for-3 at the plate.
Mansfield 3
St. John’s Prep 2
The Mansfield Hornets stung the St. John’s Prep Eagles on Wednesday, April 19 in a narrow 3-2 matchup. Nate Marston and Jack Growney each recorded two hits for the Eagles, who had eight in total.
On the mound, Prep’s Jack Sarno allowed three hits and retired four batters across four innings. Henry Hebert relieved Sarno and struck out four in 3 2/3 innings.
SOFTBALL
Peabody 11
Danvers 0
Another day, another no-hitter for Peabody pitcher Abby Bettencourt – her third of the week as she racked up 16 strikeouts. After leading 3-0 in the first inning, both Bettencourt and Penny Spack smashed home runs in the sixth to lift Peabody over Danvers 11-0.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Peabody 17
Beverly 5
There was a heavy box score after this one. The Peabody girls lacrosse team tamed the Beverly Panthers on Saturday with 17 goals and strong defensive pressure.
Ally Bettencourt led the way with five goals, followed by Brooke Lomasney who netted four – they’re both sophomores, by the way. Siobhan Smith, Madi Barrett, and Angela Fabbo each scored twice.
With the offensive explosion in mind, alongside Caitlin Snow’s seven saves – what a game that all makes.
BOYS TENNIS
St. John’s Prep 3
Westborough 2
In a hard-fought matchup against Westborough, Prep just barely squeaked by with the win. The Eagles return to action against Marblehead on Thursday, and moved to 5-0 with the win.
GIRLS TENNIS
Peabody 3
Gloucester 2
In a competitive matchup, the Tanners walked away victorious on Monday, April 24. Peabody first and second singles lost, meaning they needed a clean sweep to rescue the win. Third singles Valentina Goga kept the Tanners alive winning 6-2, 6-0 increasing her individual record to 36-2. First doubles Jill McGrath and Theodosia Kourtelidis were victorious in the third set after a grueling back-and-forth battle against a strong Gloucester duo to win the match for the Tanners 7-6, 5-7, 6-2. Then it was second doubles Jessica Demiri and Vanessa Kolani who capped off a great comeback, winning 6-0, 6-2.
Peabody 5
Winthrop 0
Jessica Chau, Yasmine Giacalone, and Valentina Goga all cruised in singles play, while the duos of Jill McGrath-Theodosia Kourtelidis and Jessica Demiri-Vanessa Kolani took care of business in doubles.
Chau’s matchup came down to the final set after losing the second, but the Tanner left victorious with a 6-2 win in the third set.
TRACK AND FIELD
In a meet between Marblehead and Peabody on Tuesday, April 18, the Tanners ran away with things. Savanna Vargas won both the 100m and 200m, and led Peabody in the long jump with a 15’ 5.75. Alex Jackson of Peabody impressed yet again, throwing a 54’ 9.0 in shot put.
