Medford Falls to Dracut, 16-10; Rolls Past Woburn, 8-3

Mustangs Lose Home Opener, Win on Road

Story Updated 7:45PM Wednesday, April 9, 2008

– Allison Goldsberry

Despite scoring ten runs, including two homers by senior Shawn Foley, the varsity Mustang baseball team lost to Dracut during Tuesday’s home opener at Playstead Park.

After falling behind two to nothing in the first inning, the Mustangs rallied in the second and third innings, scoring eight points and only allowing one run for Dracut. Sophomore Ian Fitzgerald did not allow a run in the third inning, and Foley slammed two home runs, one each per inning.

Sophomore Danny Gunn, Medford’s catcher and lead off hitter, was hit by a pitch in the first and came back with a double in the second that tied the game 3-3, following a double by senior Shawn O’Brien and a homer by Foley.

Medford was up 8-3 at the top of the fourth, but their lead quickly dwindled, and Dracut tied the game during the fifth inning and then took the lead, 10-8. Sophomore Mike Sullivan came in to pitch for the Mustangs in the fourth inning and pitched through the fifth.

Medford scored only two more runs in the sixth inning after senior captain Ben Waldrip came in off a single by O’Brien and a single by Foley earned another run. Junior Steve Mearn pitched the last two innings for the Mustangs, allowing six more runs for Dracut.

Head Coach Nick Tucci said Tuesday’s game was a learning experience for the team and the Mustangs are now focusing on stronger pitching for Wednesday’s game against Woburn.

“We hit the ball pretty well today…but we have to work on our pitching,” said Tucci.

Despite the loss, Tucci said the home opener was exciting, as it was his first game as head coach.

O’Brien took the mound for Wednesday’s game at Woburn and pitched the entire game, allowing only three runs. Waldrip slammed a two-run homer in the sixth inning that sealed the game, bouncing the ball off of the scoreboard.

Fitzgerald was 3 for 4, O’Brien 2 for 4, and Gunn 2 for 2. Junior Richie LeBert came in off the bench for the game and was 2 for 4, helping contribute to the Mustang win.

Considering Woburn recently beat Reading, a top ten team, Tucci was psyched for the team’s performance, his first varsity win as head coach.

“It was a very, very positive game. We were very happy,” said Tucci.

As a special reminder for his first win, Tucci’s team presented him with the game-winning ball, which each Mustang signed.

The Mustangs head to Winchester for a Saturday morning game, and their next home game is Friday, April 18, against Somerville.

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Watch video highlights of the Dracut game, courtesy of MHTV-15