In addition to a defense that committed no errors, Rockport's Tia Nelson (four strikeouts) threw her second no-hitter in a week as the Vikings (5-9) softball team kept their tournament hopes alive with a 2-0 win on the road over Pentucket.
Rockport now has to win its final four games to make the cut.
"The defense played awesome behind her," said Rockport head coach Diane Parisi. "Our center fielder Lauren McKechnie threw out a runner at third and right fielder Chyanne Stowell made a diving catch."
Scoreless going into the seventh, Rockport scored two runs. Ali Bouchard reached base on a bunt single, followed by a Nelson bunt single. Bouchard scored on a Pentucket error. Anastasia Flavin pinch ran for Nelson and scored on a passed ball.
The Vikings travel to Georgetown today (3:45 p.m.).
Saugus 5, Gloucester 4
Gloucester (9-7) will now have to wait until tomorrow to clinch its state tourney berth, as Saugus scored the winning run with two outs in the top of the seventh on three straight singles. Senior Jill Lukegord went the distance on the mound for Gloucester, giving up four walks and eight hits, while striking out four. She also went 2 for 4 at the plate. Sophomore Addy Blakeley had an RBI triple in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at 4-4.
Triton 10, Manchester Essex 6
The Hornets (5-10) had a 6-2 lead after two innings, but Triton came back with eight unanswered runs en route to the victory.
GIRLS TENNIS
Gloucester 4, Saugus 1
Gloucester upped its record to 10-3 with a dominant victory. Olivia Lufkin was in No. 1 singles (6-2, 6-2), Lauren Davis took No. 2 singles (6-3, 6-1) and Mary Unis won in No. 3 singles (7-5, 6-2). The No. 1 doubles team of Emily Philpott and Meg Muniz also added a victory (6-3, 6-3).
Rockport 4, Amesbury 1
The Vikings (2-11) picked up their second win of the spring behind victories from Marie Memhard in No. 1 singles (6-4, 6-1) and Sara Littlefield in No. 2 singles (6-1, 6-0). Tasha Radzinski and Emma Littlefield teamed up to win in No. 1 doubles (7-5, 6-4) and Christy McMillian and Morgan Weir took No. 2 doubles (6-3, 6-2).
Manchester Essex 5, North Reading 0
The Hornets swept every match en route to improving to 9-2 on the season. Brittany Collens won in No. 1 singles (6-0, 6-0), Annelise Eaton won in No. 2 singles (6-0, 6-0) and Hannah Daley took No. 3 singles (6-1, 6-0). Courtney Pasquine and Amelia Cohen teamed up to take No. 1 doubles and Ally Howlett and Hannah Gurley were victorious in No. 2 doubles (6-0, 6-1).
BOYS TENNIS
Gloucester 4, Saugus 1
The Fishermen improved to 5-7 and will have to win at least three of their last four matches to qualify for the state tournament. Spencer Gaston won in No. 1 singles (6-0, 6-0) and Chris Lufkin took No. 2 singles (6-0, 6-2) to lead the way.
Manchester Essex 5, North Reading 0
Winners of ten in a row (including eight 5-0 decisions), the Hornets (10-2) knocked off a talented North Reading (11-3) squad. Ravy Uong (6-1, 6-4), Sam Cohen (6-3, 6-2) and Leo Daley (6-1, 6-1) each won singles matches. In doubles, the teams of Peter Gudonis-Erik Ferm (6-1, 6-0) and Willie Baun-Eric Kimball (6-1, 6-4) also won in straight sets.
Manchester Essex travel to Swampscott today for a huge out of conference showdown.
BOYS LACROSSE
North Reading 9, Manchester Essex 7
Manchester Essex (2-8) got a quality effort from defensemen Tim Corsetti, Brian Ciccone and Jake Douglas but it wasn't enough to get the victory. Will Doucette led the way offensively with two goals and two assists.
BOYS TRACK
Gloucester 76, Marblehead 46
The Fishermen (5-1) scored an impressive win on the road and can wrap up the NEC small school title against Danvers on Monday at Gordon College.
Luis Hernandez was first in four events (100, 11.5; 200, 23.3; triple jump, 36-91/2; long jump, 18-61/2). Mario Peritore also swept two events (shot put, 50-7; discus, 151-2).
Other first-place finishers included John Ryan (2-mile, 10:16), Andrew Ryan (mile, 4:37), Liam Anastasia-Murphy (400, 52.4) and Austin Sousa (800, 2:03).
Gloucester was tied 25-25 with Marblehead but started to pull away from there. Some important second-place finishes were turned in by John Brancaleone (2 mile, 10:58); Christian Hernandez (hurdles, 18.0), Gus Margiota (shot put, 47-11; discus, 126-11), Sousa (high jump, 5-6), Anastasia-Murphy (long jump, 17-9) and Alston Adkins (400, 57.8).
Chris Unis (discus, 108-5); Abraham Rubin (400, 58.1), Brett Davis (800, 2:11) and Travis Ellison (300 hurdles, 46.2) brought home important third-place points.
GIRLS TRACK
Marblehead 84, Gloucester 37
Gloucester got first place finishes from Isabel Pett (high jump, 5-0), Alicia Unis (shot put, 34-5), Avery McNiff (1,600, 5:31.6) and Abbie Rogers (800, 2:28), but the Fishermen still came up short.
SAILING
Manchester Essex (JV) 2, Gloucester 1
The Manchester Essex junior varsity team knocked off the Fishermen (1-1-2) yesterday afternoon.
