Sports
Little League on parade
Following a grand and very noisy parade up Circuit Avenue to Veira Park, Saturday, the Vineyard’s uniformed young baseball players of the Little League, Minor League, Farm League, and Tee-ball Leagues lined up on the foul lines for a singing of the National Anthem by Sarah Dawson and Emilia Cappelli.
Isaac Higgins drove the ball over the fence twice in the Mets' loss to the Cubs. Photos by Ralph Stewart. Click on photo to enlarge.In the first of a scheduled triple header, the Cardinals avenged last week’s 10-4 loss to the A’s, turning the tables and walking off with a 6-1 win behind Curtis Farrell’s 15 K pitching in 5 2/3 innings.
In another Little League game, the Tigers, 9-6 conquerors of the Red Sox on Wednesday, did it again Saturday, 6-4.
The Sox took an early 3-0 lead but saw it disappear in the third inning when the Bengals scored three of their own. In the top of the fifth, Kevin Cleary doubled, Kyle Mello walked, and both scored on passed balls. Slayton tripled in the fifth and came home on a Jeffers single. Tigers 6, Red Sox 4.
The Cubs and Mets split their two games, with the Mets running off with a 12-5 win on Tuesday and the Cubs evening the count in the third of Saturday’s trifecta, 6-2. Jacob Cardoza was the starting and winning pitcher. He was relieved by Chas Sylvia in the fourth and Sylvia gave way to Chris Mayhew for the final two frames. Isaac Higgins sent two monstrous home runs over the right center field fence for the Mets.
Last Monday, the Sox beat the Cubs 10-3 behind Jeff Cimeno. Jack Jeffers was 4 for 4, Jamie McNeely 3 for 3.
Tuesday it was the Cards in a runaway win over the Mets, 18-4. Both Emily Turney and Jonas Lukowitz had three hits; Emily’s included a double and a triple.
Minor League games
Last Wednesday, in season opening games, the Rockies had their way with the Twins, 10-2, the Rays dominated the Marlins, 12-3, and the Reds scored twice as many runs as the Orioles, 12-6.
Saturday the Orioles topped the Reds, 8-5; the Rockies ran away from the Twins, 16-9; and the Marlins edged the Rays, 3-2.
The jubilant Heat pose with the spoils of victory, a gilded hoop. Click on photo to enlarge.The Heat takes the cake
The RCBL rubber game, Suns vs. Heat, of the three-game finals was a thriller Monday evening at the Boys & Girls Club.
The lead changed hands six times in the first quarter, finishing with the Suns ahead by five, 27-22. The Suns maintained a lead through the second period, even growing it to a 10-point advantage. At the half the Suns led 53–48. Damon Mello heated up in the third frame. His 11 points helped put the Heat up by four, 78-74, at the end of three periods. No one knew it at the time, but that was it. The Suns were not the top team in the RCBL without reason, and they had beaten the Heat five times in their seven meetings, There was no quit in the Suns, but they could not come closer than six in the fourth quarter.
The final familiar strategy of fouling to stop the clock was counter-productive, as it often is. The Heat sank 11 of 14 freebies in the final three minutes and grew their winning margin to thirteen, 106-93.
Despite the best efforts of Brant Silvia and Ryan Murtha, the Suns’ James Holenko finds the rim. Click on photo to enlarge.Damon Mello and Jason Dyer (6 treys) were high scorers for the Heat with 29 and 25 points, also in double figures were Brant Silvia 18, Ryan Murtha 16, and Chris Joyce 13.
Sandy Fisher, Tim Penicaud, Matt Gebo and Matt Rivers all contributed to the win.
James Holenko was tops for the Suns with 27. Both Sterling Bishop and Tim Scott finished with 15. Adam Rebello had 14 and Matt Brown 11. James Lancy (7) and Michael Baptiste (4) also scored.
Three referees, Richie Roy, Todd Hollister, and Eric Adams enforced the rules of the game and kept the competition within bounds. It wasn’t always easy.
Kyle Altieri ran the electric scoreboard. Pete Lambos kept score in the absence of Jerry Maciel.
Thus finally ended the RCBL season that began last December.
Willie Nevin carries the baton over the finish line of the 4x400 relay. Click on photo to enlarge.Tracking Coyle & Cassidy
Randall Jette set a new school record in the high jump, clearing 6’2”, as the Vineyard boys dominated the field events in the track meet with Coyle & Cassidy, Tuesday, taking 50 of the 54 field events points. Devin Balboni led MV sweeps of the Shot Put (39’5”) and Discus (106’3.5”). DeBettencourt won the Javelin at 141’.
Behind Jette in the high jump were Je Vaugh Crooks and Jacob Lawrence. Lawrence won the long jump at 18’7.5”.
The triple jump was another MV sweep led by Maciel at 38’8.5”
Coyle won the Mile, 800, high hurdles, and the 2 mile race.
Rafael Maciel was first over the low hurdles in 63 seconds.
Jacob won the 100m dash. Norberto DeAssis won the 400m in 53.6. Marcus Hopkins led a Jette — Lawrence sweep of the 200.
MV won both of the relays.
The Islander boys’ winning margin was 103-34.
Sidra Dumont winds up to toss the discus. Click on photo to enlarge.Warrior women win
On the distaff side the Coyle ladies won each of the jumps: long, high. and triple.
Islander Maggie Riseborough ruled at the shot with a 34’ heave. Sidra Dumont won the discus at 86’11.5”. Constance Chandler threw the javelin best, 81’4”.
Coyle was first at the mile, over the low and high hurdles, at the 100m dash and 200m sprint. They also finshed first at 400m and 800m and at two miles. Coyle also won both relays and sailed off with a 95-43 win.
The Team Islanders relay team that ran from Quincy to Provincetown in 26-1/2 hours. Click on photo to enlarge. Photo courtesy of Neal A. SullivanP-town or bust!
Team Islanders consisting of nine Vineyarders and three from the mainland entered the inaugural Cape Relay, Saturday and Sunday, a 203-mile non-stop running relay from Quincy to Provincetown over a period of two days. Team Islanders started on Saturday morning from Marina Bay and finished in P-town around 2:00 pm, Sunday, an elapsed time of 26½ hours. They were 14th of 187 teams and first in the mixed masters division, Team Islanders are: Van type A: David Diriwachter, Mike McGuire (of Westborough) Jessica O’Connor, Marylee Schroeder, Lisa Schroeder, and Dan Vaughan. Van type B: Kristina Burns (Hamilton) Blake Edmunds, Dana Gaines, Anne Larson, (Ipswich) Neal A. Sullivan and Pamela Thomas.
Filipe Freitas dribbles goalward under the watchful eye of referee Chris Decker. Click on photo to enlarge.Youth Soccer
Eleven Swansea/Somerset soccer players dropped by on Sunday for a game with the Vineyard’s talented Under-18 Team.
The visitors scored first but the Islanders had the last laugh, 4-1. MV scoring was by Filipe Freitas and Linycker de Souza.
The MV United boys U-13 team defeated Freetown-Lakeville, 6-3, at Veterans Park, Saturday. The Vineyarders scored four times in the first half, two by Brandon Dwane and two by Gabe DeOliviera.
Minutes into the second half, Yannick Gonsalves headed the ball into the net off a corner kick. Later, the team’s key defensive player, Ben Poole, scored off a free kick rebound.
With no subs available, Freetown-Lakeville did not quit but scored twice before the final whistle.
The win gave MV a 3-0 record for the season. They played Lakeville-Freetown again Tuesday and are home to Norton at noon on Saturday.
Three of the MV travel teams occupy first place in the SCSL standings: U-13 boys, U-14 girls, and U15 boys.
Nelson Sigelman founded Boston kendo club
Martha's Vineyard Times managing editor and fishing columnist Nelson Sigelman was the guest of honor at the Boston Kyokai 30th anniversary celebration and tournament held at the Wang YMCA in Boston May 1, 2. Mr. Sigelman was a founder of the organization, a club for practitioners of the Japanese martial art known here as kendo.
Mr. Sigelman joined the practice and singles and team competition at the celebration, after a 20-year layoff. Observers say he was rusty, but game.
Members of the Boston Kendo Club posed for a photo Sunday with club founder Nelson Sigelman, center. Click on photo to enlarge. Photo by Bill StevensMr. Sigelman, who lives in Vineyard Haven, founded the Boston Kendo Club in 1980, after returning from four years in Japan. Kendo is the art of Japanese fencing.
Mr. Sigelman delivered an acceptance speech in which he described his introduction to kendo during his years in Japan and recalled his admiration for the accomplished practitioners who instructed him. The award he received, the first of its kind, is the Jack Thayer Memorial Award, presented to Mr. Sigelman for his contributions to the sport in this country.
Racqueteers roll on
The Sandwich boys’ tennis team eked out a win on the Vineyard courts, Friday, edging a Vineyard team that counted five freshmen.
At first singles, Reid Yennie lost to Luke Martin in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.
MV’s Kent Leonard won at second singles, 6-2, 6-2.
Harrison Rodrigues played well in his first varsity match at third singles, but lost in three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.
At 2nd doubles, Justice Yennie and Justin Smith let the second set get away from them after leading 6-3, but won the match by taking first and third sets, 6-3, 6-2.
Win Grimm and Ryan Sawyer bowed at first doubles in straight sets, 7-6, 6-4.
Sunday, the Islanders disposed of Coyle & Cassidy, 4-1. The win gave the Vineyard boys a clean 4-0 sweep of EAC rivals.
All three MV singles players, Reid Yennie, Kent Leonard, Win Grimm, won their matches in straight sets, as did Thomas Tilton-Heylin and Ryan Sawyer at first doubles.
The best match of the day featured Islanders Justice Yennie and Justin Smith. After splitting sets with Kevin Sealy and Cam McDonough, a “super” 10-point tiebreaker was played in lieu of a third set. The visiting Warriors finally prevailed, 18-16.
Tuesday, at Cape Cod Community College, the Islanders swept Sturgis, 5-0. Dylan McCarthy and Jackson Koorse played their first match at 2nd doubles and won, 6-3, 6-2.
The Island boys are now 8-2 on the season and are unbeaten, 4-0, in the EAC.
Grace’s girls good again
The Vineyard girls’ tennis team hosted Coyle & Cassidy here, Sunday. And earned a hard-won 3-2 EAC victory.
At first singles, Annie Burton won her match taking the third set, 7-6. Alyssa Adler lost narrowly, 6-7 in the third set at second doubles. Dylan Brockmeyer earned a win by taking her third set, 7-6.
At first doubles, Annabelle Hackney and Julia Cooper lost 4-6, 5-7, but Celia Mercier and Michaella Gaines edged their opponents by winning the third set, 6-4.
Coach Grace Bochicchio took her team and their 7-1 records to Taunton for a return match with C&C on Wednesday.
Sixty volunteers, including high school tennis players, showed up to help fold the Vineyard Youth Tennis bubble for storage at Carroll’s. Click on photo to enlarge. Photos by Susan SaffordBubble down
“What goes up must come down.”
That familiar observation which serves for fact often enough, applies to the Vineyard Youth Tennis bubble.
The bubble that went up by inflation on October 10 came down last Sunday and was folded for summer storage at Carroll’s warehouse with the help of some 60 volunteers including members of the high school tennis teams and their parents with other tennis aficionados.
Accommodating Jimmy Arias signs tennis shoes for Ben Marshall. Click on photo to enlarge.The occasion of the bubble’s deflation was marked by a happy event, an exhibition match between Jimmy Arias, formerly one of the five top ranked players in the world, and Oscar Jarra, the pro at the Cohasset Golf Club. Mr. Arias was a cordial guest signing tennis balls for as long as there were autograph seekers.
Ping pong
In his first turn at tournament competition, Rod Backus of Vineyard Haven placed third in the Unrated Division at the Quincy Table Tennis Club’s April tournament, defeating David Wang 3-0 in the final match.
Rod is a member of MV Table Tennis, the Island’s club that meets twice weekly at the West Tisbury school.
Youth lacrosse
The Martha’s Vineyard Under-13 boys Youth Lacrosse team welcomed Dartmouth to the Oak Bluffs school field, Sunday, and treated them to a 10-3 lickin’.
Island goals were scored by Colin Buckley (2), Ben Clark (2), Weyman Harrison (2) Greg McCarron (2), Austin Chandler and Jacob King.
Despite outstanding defensive efforts by Ryan O’Malley and goalie Jack Rizza, the MV Under-11 Youth Lacrosse team lost to visiting Dartmouth, Sunday, 8-6. Donald O’Shaughnessy had a hat trick and an assist. Jackson Mahaffey assisted thrice and scored a goal. Sam Rollins and Sam Wallace also scored.
The Under-15 boys team outlasted Dartmouth, Sunday, 12-9. Kyle Stobie (6) and Tyler Paulson (5) did most of the damage. Sam Burke also scored.
The girls’ U-13 team suffered its first loss of the year to Dartmouth, Sunday, 9-7. Erin Hill had three goals and Kylie Hatt had two. Lee Hayman and Belle Donning also scored.
The U-15 girls won their game, 10-6. Isabel Smith had a hat trick, both Sarah Alexander and Molly Wallace scored twice. Also finding the net were Samantha Malthais and Aubrey Ashmun.
This Sunday the girls are at Lakeville.
Pitch, Hit, Run
A Pitch, Hit, and Run competition was held at the high school’s Field of Dreams, Sunday, sponsored by MLB and Aquafina, and hosted by the Diamond Club with coordinator Anthony Piland. Eligible to compete were Island boys and girls 7 to 14 years old.
Mike Mussell was the all-around champion of the 13/14-year-old group. Jonas Lukowitz was the all-around champ of the 11/12 age group, Thomas Weston won the pitching competition. Kyle Mello was all around champion of the 9/10-year-old group. Sam Cranston won the hitting contest.
The 7/8-year-old champion was Jeremy Reagan. Jeremy and Jared Regan and Peter Burke finished in a three-way tie in the pitching contest. All winners advance to the sectional competition, May 22, at Berkley, Mass.
Senior success
Lacking several of its starters, still the Vineyard FC Masters (over 40 years) won their game at Dover-Sherborn, Sunday, 3-1. MV goals were by Sergio Schwab, Ignacio “Nacho” Vignolo and Jonias Assis. The Vineyard FC reigns atop the league with 10 points and is unbeaten in Division 6 South of the New England Over-the-Hill Soccer League.
Vineyard FC will be home to Southborough this Sunday at Veterans Memorial Park, Vineyard Haven. Kickoff is at 12 Noon.
Bourne again
After two tough losses to the top teams of Division Two South, Norwell and Hopkinton, the MV girls varsity lacrosse team climbed back on the winning road, topping Bourne again in their second meeting of the year, Tuesday, 18-12, on 4 goals by Molly Fischer, 5 by Madison Hughes, 3 by Jennie Lindland, 3 by Hayley Pierce, two by Brianna Davies and another by Angela DeBettencourt,
April Hargy had seven saves in goal.
The MV girls are 8-3 on the season, 7-0 in the Maritime League.
Boys beat Bourne
The high school boys’ lacrosse team trounced visiting Bourne, Tuesday, 14-2. Both Brooks Billingham and Erik Dolliver scored twice in the Vineyard’s balanced attack.
Goalie Nelson Dickson blocked 11 of 13 Bourne shots on goal. The win raised the Islanders season record to 7-4.
David Bettencourt sinks his putt on the seventh green. Click on photo to enlarge.Scrambled birds
The winning team of five at the 20th Holy Ghost Scramble golf tournament at Mink Meadows last weekend, was Fred Pekari, Frank Cecilio. Dave Bettencourt, Jamie Baker and Nick Fullin.
One hundred twenty golfers teed off raising $27,000 for the cause.
Junior high seasons start
Playing the first game of the junior high softball season at Tisbury’s Veterans Memorial Park, the Tisbury girls scored six runs in the bottom of the final inning to pull out a 9-8 win over the Edgartown girls’ team.
The Tisbury vs. Edgartown baseball game opened the Junior High baseball season at the same park the next day.
