Newton North Holds Off Dedham Under the Lights

As the Dedham faithful turned out to watch a twilight treat Thursday, their hometown nine fell to the Tigers of Newton North 6-2, in what was a surreal baseball experience for the pure baseball fan.

“This Bay State Baseball, its unbelievable,” said Newton North coach Joe Siciliano,  and a lot of fun, nobody gives up in this league.”

And that was certainly true in Thursday's nine inning gem when the Marauders (7-7), fought back in the bottom of the eighth, only to fall short with a costly ninth-inning error that put the game out of reach and lead to the four-run difference.

“We battled,” said Dedham coach Kevin Quaranto, “ we got a couple of hits and a couple of walks and were a little more selective and I am proud of the kids for that.”

Dedham trailed 3-0 for most of the first seven innings due mainly to the pitch location of North righty Tommy Clarke, who went 7 1/3 innings giving up one earned run while striking out nine.

Dedham, however, was able to get the leadoff man on in the eighth. After a ground out, and a walk issued to Tommy Connolly, Dan O’Connor was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Connolly later scored on a passed ball, and Dedham catcher Matt Barron hit a liner that the Newton North first baseman couldn’t handle for a infield hit and the RBI that cut the lead to 3-2.

The momentum pendulum had swung and was now in favor of the Marauders after being shut down for seven innings.

So as the Marauders had their hot hitter Domingo Rodriguez up with runners on first and third and only one out, a lead change seem to be inevitable as the Dedham faithful awoke from a cold three-hour slumber.

After a walk to Rodriguez to load the bases, Siciliano brought in closer Hector Coscione, who proceeded to strike out the next two Marauders to end the rally and quiet the shivering crowd.

“Tommy Clarke did a great job, he battled out of some jams and Hector did a great job to get us out of a bases loaded jam,” said Siciliano.

The offense for North was supplied by both Jack McGlaughlin who hit a double in the seventh and in the ninth, and Evan Clemens, who had a two-run double in the fourth for all the offense the Tigers would need against Dedham starter Brian Coakly.

The senior pitched well in a losing effort, going 6 1/3 innings allowing only four hits while fanning six Tigers.

“He’s got a lot of heart and he is a tough kid, “ said Quranto. "He throws a lot of strikes, and he doesn’t give in, whenever he’s hitting, pitching or out in the field, he is a competitor.”

Newton North third baseman Jake Rosenthal summed up the North victory after the game when he said, “Tonight we cracked it open when we needed to.”

Softball

Dedham 7, Newton North 2

Junior Brooke Sheehan struck out seven, walked four and allowed four hits. The Marauder (8-6) offense had 14 hits in the game, and scored six runs in the first inning.