East Boston Little League enjoying a strong season
The East Boston Little League organization is in full swing, entering the second half of the 2018 season with playoffs and all-star tournaments approaching.
“The players are moving beyond the learning stages of Little League Baseball and advancing their techniques, skills, and knowledge with each practice and game,” said President Chucky Cassaro.
The EBLL leader praised the coaches for their dedication to the organization.
“The 2018 season has seen our Minor League flourish with a great, committed group of young coaches,” said Cassaro. “The Minors are the foundation to our program. Coaches Nick Free, John Cardinale, Anthony Forbes, and Victor DiPrisco are a dedicated group teaching the game to our younger players.”
Cassaro said the Major League 12-year-old all-star team is looking ahead to the Williamsport Tournament and playoffs.
“Our Senior Division is also in a really good position,” said Cassaro. “The main goal for our Senior Division has always been to keep our 13-to-16 year-olds busy during the early summer nights and helping them learn on the big diamond in preparation for high school baseball.”
Cassaro thanked the East Boston community for its support. “It’s really nice to see the great people of East Boston coming to the park each night supporting the league and the players – particularly our elected officials, board members, and parents, past and present,” said Cassaro.
East Boston Little League Major Division Standings
Nationals 9-3
Cardinals 6-6
Yankees 5-6
Mariners 3-8
East Boston Little League Senior Division Standings
Blue Jays 7-1
Pirates 2-5
Red Sox 1-4
EBHS softball to compete in the state tournament
By Jonathan Chang
After dominating English High School, 18-1, in the semifinal round, East Boston softball came up short in the City League softball championship against Latin Academy, 7-2, on Thursday, May 31, at Wentworth’s Sweeney Field. The Jets will now move onto the MIAA Division 3 state tournament.
The Jets (13-6) were aware of Latin Academy’s prowess even prior to the city championship. “There’s always Latin Academy looming large,” Sances said before the city championship. “It’s going to be who’s playing them.”
While it was the Jets who went on to play the Dragons, it was Latin Academy who captured its 13th straight city softball championship title.
Latin Academy scored six runs in the first two innings, Sances said, and although East Boston played a strong defense since—limiting the Dragons to just one more run—it wasn’t enough to bring turn the scores around. Sances said many described the game as a “very clean game, played at a very good pace.”
Coming off competitive matchups against Lynnfield and Latin Academy, Sances said the team has the confidence going into the state tournament. The Jets have played Lynnfield and Latin Academy twice each this season, and in both times the results improved: from 16-3 to 5-1 against Lynnfield and 15-4 to 7-2 against Latin Academy.
“If we play like that, then I think the team feels that our chances are as good as they’ve been all year,” Sances said.
While all four games were losses, East Boston will look to continue to improve its play as the Jets continue their postseason play in the state tournament.
State tournament up next for Jets baseball
By Jonathan Chang
After entering the Boston City League baseball championship with a five-game winning streak, the East Boston High School baseball Jets were defeated by South Boston, 4-3, in the city championship semifinal game on Thursday, May 31.
“We battled hard, but we left a few opportunities out there on the field,” said East Boston coach Jeff Arinella.
With the early exit in the city championship behind them, the Jets (13-6) now continue to their postseason in the MIAA Division 2 state tournament.
Arinella called the feat a “special accomplishment,” having come into the season with a loss of 13 players to graduations and a transfer.
“Our goal from the beginning of the season was basically to make the state tournament,” Arinella said. “If you look too far ahead, as far as thinking about winning the entire division or things like that, that gets in the kids’ heads a little bit.”
Having moved up to Division 2 this year, East Boston will expect a more difficult state tournament than in the years past. Arinella said the Jets must continue to play their own game, focusing on their pitching and defense.
Despite the disappointment in the City League championship, Arinella said the Jets will now reset their focus to the state tournament and try to move forward.
“We’re moving onto a bigger stage, and it’s a chance to redeem ourselves and really put forth a good effort and show that we belong with the top teams in the state.”
“We want to win this first game, and we’re not focusing on anything else.”