During a game last Wednesday at the local ballfield, Carlos Vega pitched a complete game two hitter and added a home run to help the Chelsea High baseball team defeat Minuteman Regional 11-1.
“Carlos was super,” said CHS head coach Alan Beausoleil, describing Vega’s performance, which included striking out 11 opposing batters.
Chelsea opened the game with six runs, putting the contest largely out of reach. Additional runs came in throughout the game. Strong pitching from Vega and solid defensive play prevented Minuteman from mounting any real threat.
Pedro Hernandez had a strong performance at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Daniel Velastegui was 2-for-3 and scored two runs. Nelson Vega, a teammate, had two hits, a stolen base, an RBI, and two runs.
Two days later, the Red Devils traveled to Minuteman’s field for the second game of their home-and-home series. This time, the outcome was less favorable, as Minuteman won 4-3 in extra innings.
“The second game with Minuteman was a complete turnabout from the first one,” said Beausoleil, noting that his team made five errors and struggled with timely hitting, leaving nine runners on base.
Both teams scored a run in the first and two in the third, leading to a 3-3 tie that remained until the eighth inning. In the seventh, the Red Devils loaded the bases but failed to score the go-ahead run.
Velastegui pitched all eight innings for the Devils. He allowed just seven hits and two earned runs. Minuteman’s winning run came via two infield hits that placed a runner in scoring position.
On Monday, the Red Devils lost to East Boston in a non-league matchup. Frankie Rodriguez and Velastegui each had doubles for Chelsea, and Carlos Vega had a hit and an RBI.
With a record of 4-6 at the midpoint of the season, the Red Devils must improve in the second half if they hope to qualify for the state tournament.
“The team is working hard every day and giving it their all,” said Beausoleil. “We’ve lost two games in extra innings and another by a score of 1-0. So we know that if we continue to play our best and catch some breaks, we can make a run for a state tourney berth.”
Chelsea will play five of its remaining 10 games over the next nine days. Beausoleil and his team will travel to Shawsheen today (Thursday), host Mystic Valley tomorrow, face North Shore Tech on Tuesday, visit Whittier on Wednesday, and host Lynn Tech on Friday. All games are set for 4:00 p.m.
CHS boys track rolls past Mystic Valley
Last Wednesday, the Chelsea High boys outdoor track team earned a 92-44 victory over Mystic Valley with strong individual performances.
Ricardo Maldonado led the Red Devils with 20 points, winning four events. He set personal bests in the 100 meter (11.5 seconds) and 200 meter dashes (24.2 seconds), cleared the high jump at 5-10, and threw the javelin 156-9.
Other top performers for the Red Devils with first-place finishes were Chester Rath in the mile (5:10) and on the winning 4 x 400 relay; Brandon Horn with a triple jump of 37-4 and a 400 meter dash of 60.2, plus a second place in the 110 meter high hurdles (totaling 13 points); Faisal Nasimi in the 800 meters (2:23) and on the 4 x 400 relay; Adriel Rodriguez with a personal record shotput of 37-9; and Tuan Tran with a discus throw of 83-2.
Chelsea added three points with second-place finishes from Jeffrey Estrada in the 400 meter low hurdles (65.7) and third place in the 110 high hurdles; Tony Nguyen in the two mile (12:05); Jay Pedrero in the mile (5:39); Samuel Hernandez in the 400 meter dash and third in the 400 hurdles; Joseph Arroyo in the 800 meters and on the 4 x 400 relay; Brian Jimenez in the javelin (112-6) and shotput (35-0); Richard Andino in the discus (81-2); Mohammed Qasim in the triple jump (35-4); and Eric Florez in the high jump (5-2).
Three additional points came from third-place finishes by Huthifa Kareem in the mile (5:40) and Michael Rendon in the 400 dash (62.8).
The Red Devils have two meets this week. They were scheduled to take on Whittier Tech on Tuesday and will face Greater Lowell on Friday. “The Whittier meet should be very closely-contested,” noted CHS head coach Don Fay.
CHS girls track tops Mystic Valley
The Chelsea High girls outdoor track team remained undefeated with a 72-64 win over Mystic Valley last Wednesday.
Freshman Katherine Cabral led the Lady Red Devils with 11.25 points, winning the long jump and 400 meter dash and being part of the winning 4 x 400 relay team.
Senior Quinnee Valenzona contributed nine points, winning the 100 high hurdles, placing second in the javelin, and third in the 400 low hurdles.
Senior Cristal Rodriguez added 6.25 points with a first-place finish in the javelin and a leg on the winning 4 x 400 relay.
Sophomore Sara Beqo earned points with a first in the two mile run and third in the mile. Sophomore Sofia Falcon earned points with a first in the mile and third in the 800. Junior Rebecca Torrento placed first in the discus and third in the shotput. Senior Bahiya Nasuuna won the shotput.
Three more points came from second-place finishes by Senior Arandeni Ramos in the two mile run, junior Yessenia Motta in the 400 dash, senior Tatyana Almeida in the 800 (and third in the triple jump), junior Sarah Bourouis in the 200 dash (and third in the high jump), and senior Lejla Skokic in the discus.
Three additional points were earned by junior Stephanie Moni in the 100 dash, sophomore Chimene Agogo in the 400 dash, and senior Daisy Mejia in the discus.
“The girls worked hard and stayed focused,” said CHS head coach Kim Huffer. “We had a total of 28 personal bests on the day, so I’m excited to see where the team goes for the remainder of the season.”
Huffer and her team were set to take on Whittier Tech on Tuesday and will face Greater Lowell on Friday.