Sports Highlights

By Don Lyons - May 24, 2007

Wintry weather causes delay

Heavy, cold, wind-driven rain caused postponement of Friday's ceremonial opening of the new baseball field at the high school featuring senior appreciation ceremonies and a game with Bourne. The new date is today, Thursday.

Boys lacrosse

The Vineyarders turned a half-time 2-2 tie into an 8-3 rout of Nauset, here, Thursday, to even their season record to 9-9.

Winning note

Cape Cod Academy (16-1) swept the Vineyard boys tennis team (10-6) in straight sets, Thursday, 4-0. The second singles match was forfeited as the Cape Codders rushed to catch the ferry.

Monday the Vineyarders made short work of Mashpee, winning all five sets with the least possible effort and time, all in straight sets. The next day, Tuesday, Bourne came across the pond to try its hand. It took more time but the results were not much different. Tim McHugh won at first singles, 6-4, 6-1. Brother Andrew went three sets before claiming a 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 win. Tim Nivala took a beating at third singles, 6-2. 6-4

Both M.V. doubles teams triumphed. Han and Hutchinson won easily, 6-0, 6-1. Lipsky and Grimm took more time: 6-3, 0-6, 6-3.

The team ended its season with a 12-6 record.

Girls complete schedule

The girls varsity lacrosse team finished its season with two losses facing two tough teams: Walpole, 16-10, and Hopkinton, 14-4. M.V. led Walpole, 5-1 in the early going, but the Rebels rallied to lead 11-7 at the half. Hopkinton took charge from the start. M.V. finished with a 6-10-2 record, 5-3-2 in the Maritime League. Top pointers were Laura Jernegan (48), Jane Alexander (40), and Alaina Aristide (34)

Crossing the country

Priscilla and Morton Houliston are bicycling around the country as a witness to the dangers of obesity. Both were overweight when they started their odyssey from Key West, Florida. They arrived on the Vineyard with broken spokes and were given new Mongoose All Terrain bikes by Craig's Bikes, The hospitality shown them on the Island was "overwhelming," Priscilla said. They are heading north to reach the Canadian/Maine border and they plan to reach all states including Alaska and Hawaii. Bon voyage!

Interschool season almost over

The interscholastic baseball and softball teams completed their scheduled games, Monday, when West Tisbury's baseball team lost to Oak Bluffs, 15-6 and the WesTiz softball team lost to Edgartown, 12-3. The Tisbury hard-ballers defeated Edgartown in the semi-final round at Edgartown, 4-3, Tuesday, while Oak Bluffs was eliminating West Tisbury, 15-9. The baseball final was yesterday, with Oak Bluffs home to Tisbury.

The Tisbury softball team got by Edgartown, 8-6, to qualify for the finals versus Oak Bluffs today, Thursday, at the Blazers' field.

Final games will be six-inning affairs and will not follow the season rule of no new inning starting after 5 pm.

Little League standings as of May 22

Team G W L T Pts RF RA Pct

A's 7 6 1 0 12 66 30 .857

Cubs 7 5 2 0 10 48 28 .714

Red Sox 7 3 4 0 6 30 41 .429

Mets 7 3 4 0 6 31 42 .429

Tigers 7 2 5 0 4 32 46 .286

Dodgers 7 2 5 0 4 30 50 .286

Diamond dust

It took nine innings, Saturday, but the Little League Mets got the 3-1 win over the Tigers. In the minors, the Twins shut out the Rockies, 16-0, behind the strong pitching of Andrew Fournier and Tucker McNeely. Conner Donnelly had three hits for the Twins. Tuesday the Reds defeated the Orioles, 7-3. Bradley Fielder was 2-for-3, scored one run, and drove in another. D.J. Nelson drove in three and the Reds played errorless ball.

Big SailMV regatta

Brock W. Callen Sr. writes that his goal is to "attract twice the number of boats over last year's very successful first Vineyard Cup racing fleet (43 boats).

The second Vineyard Cup weekend to be managed by SailMV will be July 6-8. Friday's opening festivities will include a Coast Guard Jayhawk demonstration of a helicopter search and rescue operation, replete with a rescue swimmer. There will be three race divisions and the East Coast Junior Windsurfing Championship and the Vineyard Cup Six Oar with Cox Gig Race. For more information, see www. vineyardcup.org or call SailMV at 508-696-7644.

Baseball bulletin

Greater New Bedford won the battle of the bats, Tuesday, outlasting the Islanders, 13-11. The MVRHS junior varsity nine also lost to Greater New Bedford, 13-8.

Nauset nettled

The MVRHS boys lacrosse team, turned a half-time 2-2 tie into an 8-3 rout of Nauset, here, Thursday to even their season record to 9-9, then lost to Wayland, 11-3 but backed into the MIAA tournament thanks to Nantucket's 15-2 defeat of Dartmouth.

Retaliation in spades

The MVRHS boys jayvee lacrosse team avenged an earlier triple O.T. 5-4 loss to Nantucket, Tuesday, whipping the Whalers 9-1 on Nantucket.

Goals were by Eric Dolliver (2), Cooper Johnson (2), Cody Chandler (2), Liam O'Callaghan, Forrest Harcourt, and Max Connelly.

A strong defense headed by Lyle Zell and Anthony Cardoza was key to the win.

The jayvees record stands at 10-1. They play their final game today, Thursday, at Wayland.

Falmouth visits

The Girls Youth Lacrosse teams were home to Falmouth last Sunday. The U-15 team's game ended in a 4-4 tie against a fleet-footed Falmouth force. M.V. almost pulled it out but a fifth goal was called off. M.V. scorers were Madison Hughes, Angela Hughes (2), and Catherine Todd. Shivonne Schofield and April Hargy shared goalkeeping duty.

The U-13 squad lost a nail-biter, 7-6. Chantal Booker, Caroline Gazaille, Alayna Hutchinson (2), and Zoe Nugent (2) did the scoring. Jackie Swan was in goal.

Both teams are home to Triboro teams on June 3.

Saving the best to last

The girls varsity lacrosse team finished its season with two losses to tough teams - Walpole, 16-10, and Hopkinton, 14-4. M.V. led Walpole, 5-1 in the early going, but the Rebels rallied to lead 11-7 at the half. Hopkinton took charge from the start. MV finished with a 6-10-2 record, 5-3-2 in the Maritime league. Top pointers were Laura Jernegan (48), Jane Alexander (40), and Alaina Aristide (34).

Travel soccer

The M.V. under-18 boys travel soccer team has taken over first place after beating Dartmouth, 7-2, last Saturday. Adiles Goncalves had a hat trick and added an assist. The U-18 record is 5-0-1.

Nantucket or bust

Dana Gaines of Edgartown, surely one of the Island's most dedicated distance runners, not to mention competitive kayaking, has announced his plan to celebrate his 50th birthday on July 3 by paddling from Edgartown to Nantucket. It will be his fourth crossing, which he first accomplished the day he turned 26, again at 38, and most recently on his 40th.

Dana is making the effort to raise funds for the Joslin Diabetic Clinic in Boston. His goal - $15,000. So far he has passed the $3,692 mark.

Up & Coming

Today at 3:30 pm is the official opening of new high school baseball field and senior appreciation day, with Bourne visiting...Sunday, May 27, 11 am, annual Memorial Day 5K at Wesley Hotel, O.B.....Friday, June 1, M.V. Travel Soccer Casino Cruise 7:30 pm on the New England Fast Ferry at 7:30 pm....Saturday, June 2, rescheduled MVRHS boys tennis round robin tournament, 2-5 pm at Edgartown Yacht Club courts....also Saturday, June 2, M.V. Youth Hockey Golf Tournament at Edgartown GC...M.V. men's softball league one-pitch game Sunday, June 3, season openers Monday, June 4...M.V. Women's softball league begins play Tuesday, June 12.