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After dropping back-to-back games to Burlington (6-2, May 11) and Woburn (7-6, May 13), the Winchester High baseball team (15-4) is back on track with three straight home wins against Reading (7-1, May 15), Belmont (6-4, May 19) and non-league Lawrence (10-2, May 20).
There’s just one regular season game left, and that’s against non-league host Beverly on Friday, May 22, at 4:30 p.m.
The Red & Black split their two games with the Rockets this season. The first time around on April 24, they lost a heartbreaker, 2-1. But in the rematch, the Winchester boys dominated their rivals.
Despite all of that, the losses to Burlington and Woburn probably caused them to end up second in the Middlesex League, with those same Rockets taking home the title.
“I’m happy we were able to bounce back from those losses to Burlington and Woburn, but they kind of blew our chance at the league title,” said Coach Ed McDonald. “At this stage of the season, however, it’s all about momentum going into the playoffs. It’s a new season for everybody, and so we’re excited for the opportunity.”
According to the latest Division 1 power rankings, Winchester is seeded 18th, but that didn’t take into account the win over Lawrence (8-8, 38th seed). The May 22 game at Beverly could also help them move up in the final rankings. The Panthers (7-11) were seeded 43rd on that same list.
“We definitely need to take care of business against Beverly to give us the best chance in the power rankings,” said McDonald.
Nick Penicaud went the distance on the mound to pick up the win against the Rockets. He gave up just three hits, one walk and one run, while fanning three.
It was a close game early on, with the home team in front, 2-0. They finally broke it open with five runs in the sixth. The Rockets scored their lone run in the seventh, and final inning.
The Winchester offense banged out 11 hits, and Brett Daniels helped power the attack with a solo shot. Nolan Gannon doubled in two runs. Right-fielder Mitchell Collins singled twice, and knocked in one run. Third baseman Noah Seitz picked up two productive singles that resulted in two runs. Leftfielder Brendan Bock singled in a run. Shortstop Brady Ihrig drove home two with a single.
In the game against Belmont, Winchester enjoyed a 6-2 lead after three, and never looked back. Owen Penicaud (4 hits, 3 walks, 3 runs, 2 earned, 3 strikeouts) pitched the first five innings. Ihrig (3 hits, 1 run, 1 strikeout) tossed the final two.
The offense collected eight hits against the Marauders. Bock was one of the leading contributors with a single and a double, scoring one run. Daniels doubled in a run, and he too scored a run. Third baseman Nick Penicaud singled twice and walked once, and also drove in a run. Centerfielder Adam Fiorentino knocked in two with a single. Designated hitter Jack Silberhorn drove home a run with a single. Gannon was credited with a single and a walk, and scored both times.
The Red & Black scored all of their 10 runs in the second, third and fourth innings to romp over the visiting Lancers, who scored just once in the first four frames.
Fiorentino (4 innings, 3 hits, 2 walks, 1 run, 4 strikeouts), Harrison Burbine (2 innings, 2 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 1 strikeout) and Stephen McCabe (1 inning, 0 hits, 0 walks, 0 runs, 1 strikeout) took turns on the mound during this blowout.
The Winchester offense needed only five hits and four walks to dispatch the Merrimack Valley Conference squad. They were able to take advantage of three Lawrence errors to run away with the win.
Daniels supplied the fireworks with a two-run blast. He also walked twice, and scored two runs. Bock accounted for two more runs with a single.
Joe McConnell is a longtime, award-winning sports editor for numerous North Shore publications. He began covering Winchester sports for the News in November 2024 and is currently its Sports Editor. He can be reached at editor@winchesternews.org.
