Mustang Baseball Takes 1 Loss, 1 Win in 2 Days

Finishes 7-5 in Greater Boston League

– Allison Goldsberry

In its steady march toward ten wins on the season, the Mustang varsity baseball team racked up one win and one loss in two games against Greater Boston League rivals on Wednesday and Thursday.

After handily knocking off Arlington in the first match-up on the road at the beginning of May, the Mustangs fell 4-2 to their GBL rival at home on Wednesday.

Arlington right-hander Pat Doherty held the normally hot Medford offense at bay until the last inning when he walked two batters, loaded the bases, and gave up two runs, one of them on a walk.

Medford right-handed senior Shaun O’Brien took the mound for the Mustangs against Arlington. After a two-run first inning, O’Brien came back and held the Spy Ponders off until the sixth and seventh innings, where they scored two more runs.

Medford then headed to Everett on Thursday to round out their GBL competition, beating the Crimson Tide 6-1.

Junior Steve Mearn made his first pitching start of the season when star pitcher Richie LeBert complained of stiffness in his shoulder.

Mearn pitched six complete innings, allowing just one run and throwing two strikes. Head Coach Nick Tucci was proud of Mearn’s performance, especially since Mearn had no idea he was starting on the mound until just before the game.

“Steve Mearn did a real nice job…he needs to be commended for doing such a nice job for us on such short notice,” said Tucci.

Sophomore Greg Wilson was a key offensive player for the Mustangs, knocking in two runs on two hits.

The win against Everett and the loss against Arlington leaves Medford with a 7-5 final record in the Greater Boston League.

The Mustangs are 8-8 overall and need two more wins to secure a spot in the state tournament. That leaves little room for error as they have only four more games left to play in the regular season.

Coach Tucci said his team will be working hard over the next few days to prepare for next week’s games.

“We worked hard in the GBL and we did a nice job, but we still got work to do,” said Tucci.

Medford will take on two non-league teams at home next week, Boston English on Monday and Woburn on Wednesday.