Don't count the Gloucester baseball team out of the postseason quite yet.
The Fishermen continued their march back to .500 with an 8-5 victory over Lynn Classical in eight innings yesterday afternoon. Gloucester, which has struggled to play consistent ball throughout the season, has now won two straight games to raise its record to 5-6.
"I don't want to talk much about it because I'm afraid I might jinx it," joked Gloucester manager Joe Orlando.
Trevor Curley drove in Zak Kendall in the top of the seventh to send the game into extra innings. The Fishermen then rallied in the extra frame as Ryan Cusick led off the inning with a single and was bunted over to second by Jake Alves. Kendall then drove in Cusick with a single and Conor Ressel reached base after that, which set the stage for Brett Cahill's two-run double to break the game open.
Junior Dylan Maki worked the final three innings on the mound, striking out five and picking up the win. Senior Andrew Fulford also had a nice day at the plate for Gloucester with two doubles and two RBIs.
North Reading 13, Manchester Essex 3
Junior second baseman Zeke Gillette was 1 for 2 with two runs scored and a stolen base to lead the way for Manchester Essex. Ian Graham and Ben Kekeisen tallied an RBI each.
SOFTBALL
North Reading 5, Manchester Essex 1
The young Manchester Essex team played well against the defending Division 3 state champs. Freshman catcher Laurel Edington and freshman shortstop Patty Wright had strong defensive games, while Alex Zager had two of the five hits for Manchester Essex (3-7).
BOYS TENNIS
Manchester Essex 4, Pentucket 1
The Hornets (5-2) were paced by Ravy Uong (6-3, 2-6, 6-3) at No. 1 singles and senior captain Sam Cohen (7-6 ((7-5)), 3-0) at No. 2 singles. Erik Ferm-Peter Gadonis (6-2, 6-0) and Willie Baun-Eric Kimball (6-1, 6-2) took both doubles matches.
Lynn Classical 4, Gloucester 1
Chase Kelly at No. 3 singles (7-6, 7-6) was the lone bright spot for the Fishermen (2-5).
GIRLS TENNIS
Manchester Essex 5, Pentucket 0
Brittany Collens (6-0, 6-1), Annelise Eaton (6-3, 6-3) and Hannah Daley (6-1, 7-5) swept the singles matches for the surging Hornets (6-1). The doubles teams of Courtney Pasquine-Amelia Cohen (6-4, 6-2) and Hannah Gurley-Eliza Rohner (3-6, 6-2, 6-3) also won.
Gloucester 5, Lynn Classical 0
Gloucester ran its record to 6-3 with the shutout victory. Olivia Lufkin won in No. 1 singles (6-1, 6-4), Lauren Davis took No. 2 singles (6-1, 6-0) and Mary Unis captured No. 3 singles (6-1, 6-0). Meanwhile, Meg Muniz and Emily Philpott won in No. 1 doubles action (6-1, 6-1) and Leila Gaston and Pam Tobey took No. 2 doubles (6-1, 6-3).
Masconomet 5, Rockport 0
The Vikings slipped to 0-9 on the season, despite the efforts of Marie Memhard, who played well in defeat.
