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College baseball

Homecoming at SNHU for Shank

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Chris Shank is returning home, in a sense.

If nothing else, the former Oakmont Regional baseball great is having another go of things in a very familiar place.

Southern New Hampshire University announced Friday that Shank will return to lead the baseball program next season. The Westminster native has extensive experience with the Penmen, having spent several seasons as an assistant and interim co-head coach in 2015, a season that saw the team go 31-14 and earn an NCAA Regional spot.

During Shanks time in Manchester, the Penmen put together a record of 257-142-2, reached the NCAA Regionals five times, captured NE10 Championships in 2014 and 2016, and earned a spot in the 2012 NCAA Division II College World Series.

The 1999 Oakmont grad step to the helm of a program that reigns as a three-time defending NCAA East Region champion.

“It is hard to articulate just how excited and happy my family and I are that I have been blessed with the opportunity to come home to SNHU as the head baseball coach,” Shank said in a release from the school. “My staff and I will work tirelessly to provide our student-athletes with the best wholistic experience possible. This is an opportunity that comes with great responsibility and one that I do not take lightly. We will strive and continue to pursue the level of excellence that has become a standard of SNHU baseball. I would like to thank (director of athletics) Anthony Fallacaro and the entire search committee for entrusting me to lead SNHU baseball into the future.”

After graduating from Oakmont, Shank was a standout at Franklin Pierce from 2000-02, setting or equaling career program records for wins (20), strikeouts (235), complete games (17) and innings pitched (243.2).

Shank was drafted in the 23rd round of the 2002 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Oakland A’s and spent three years with the organization. Shank was a non-roster invite for Spring Training in both 2003 and 2004, and wrapped up his Minor League career with a 12-12 mark and a 3.81 ERA.

He followed that up by pitching three seasons for the the Worcester Tornadoes, going 9-6 with a 3.75 ERA, while also serving as pitching coach at WPI.

Shank began his coaching career at his alma mater, spending 2003-05 as an assistant with the Ravens.

He returns to SNHU after working as head coach for a pair of Division III schools, most recently at Eastern Nazarene College. In Shank’s four seasons at ENC, the Lions went 62-45-1, including pandemic shortened seasons in 2020 and 2021.

Prior to his time at ENC, Shank spent two seasons as the head coach at New England College, where he guided the Pilgrims to a record of 50-35 (.588).Jumping onto a seven-win team, Shank led the program to 24 wins in 2017 and 26 the following year.

Shank owns a record of 143-94-1 (.603) over his seven seasons as a head coach.

Local notebook: Gallagher notches 1st pro win

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As he works his way through the professional baseball minor league system, there will be milestones for Leominster native Pat Gallagher.

First start. First strikeout. So on and so forth.

One such event came Thursday night as the former Leominster High and UConn standout notched his first Single-A victory, leading the Dunedin Blue Jays to a 14-3 victory over the Bradenton Marauders, an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Taken by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 11th round of the 2022 MLB Draft, Gallagher evened his record at 1-1 with a strong performance against the Marauders. He went five full innings, allowing one run on one hit and a walk, striking out eight. The lone blemish on his line was a solo home run by Jack Brannigan in the fourth inning.

On the season, Gallagher has pitched in four games with Dunedin. He started twice and has a 4.96 ERA in 16.1 innings pitched in the Florida State League. The 22-year-old has allowed 13 hits, including three home runs, but has notched 21 strikeouts.

Gallagher graduated from Leominster High School in 2019, lettering in baseball, football and basketball. He went on to play three seasons at UConn, posting an 11-3 record last season with a 3.41 ERA and 110 strikeouts in 17 games before being drafted by the Blue Jays.

Eramo making an impact in Worcester

Vinny Eramo refuses to change.

The record-shattering Fitchburg State slugger’s time in a Falcons jersey may be through, but the Shirley native is still mashing baseballs over fences, joining on with the Worcester Bravehearts of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League.

Former Fitchburg State slugger Vinny Eramo is continuing to find success with the Worcester Bravehearts. (Courtesy Worcester Bravehearts)
Former Fitchburg State slugger Vinny Eramo is continuing to find success with the Worcester Bravehearts. (Courtesy Worcester Bravehearts)

He joined the Bravehearts on May 24 and has played eight games since, as of Thursday night. The righthanded infielder is batting .290 with two doubles, three home runs and 12 RBI in FCBL play.

At 9-3 through Thursday, the Bravehearts sit in first in the FCBL standings.

Eramo broke several single-season and career offensive records during his time with the Falcons, including the single-season program record for home runs (12), RBI (55) and total bases (109), as well as the Falcons’ career record for home runs (22) and total bases (280).

He’s not the only player with local ties on the roster of an FCBL team. Former Fitchburg High standout Zachary Scott landed with the Nashua Silver Knights after completing his freshman season at Dayton.

In five games with the Silver Knights, Scott is hitting .143 with four walks and a run scored.

Big win for Reid

Monty Tech softball coach David Reid has showcased two things in his time at the helm of the Bulldogs: longevity and consistency.

The team’s coach for the last 50 years, Reid notched win No. 700 on May 19 when his Bulldogs bested North Middlesex Regional, 12-1. The Bulldogs wrapped up the season with a loss in the Division 3 tournament first round, falling to Apponequet Regional, 6-1, on Monday.

For his career, Reid now has a 701-346-1 record.

Valera earns an honorable mention

Endicott’s Domenic Valera — a Fitchburg native and former St. Bernard’s lacrosse standout — has earned an honorable mention nod at midfield from the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA) as the organization recently announced its All-Region teams.

Valera finished his senior season with 23 goals and 47 points in 18 games for the Gulls. In 39 collegiate contests, he posted 31 goals and 37 helpers.

Local roundup: Blue Devils power past Masco

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The Leominster High softball team fought through a bit of adversity early in its Division 2 first round game against Masconomet Regional before rolling to a 9-3 victory at the Lassie League Complex.

Masconomet, seeded 23rd, led No. 10 Leominster (9-10), 3-2 after three before the Blue Devils rallied. The hosts pulled even in the fourth and went ahead for good with a four-run fifth.

Leominster's Megan Dube delivers a pitch during Thursday's victory over Masconomet. (Sentinel & Enterprise / Gary Fournier)
Leominster’s Megan Dube delivers a pitch during Thursday’s victory over Masconomet. (Sentinel & Enterprise / Gary Fournier)

Victoria Belcastro had a double and a homer and drove in three as the Blue Devils advanced to face either Somerset-Berkley or Westwood.

Megan Dube struck out 16 for the Blue Devils, while Abigail Barnaby went 4-for-4 with an RBI, scoring three times. Georgina Wilson added a 3-for-4 showing at the plate, driving in a pair for Leominster.

Ayer-Shirley 24, Springfield International 1: The 28th-seeded Panthers (8-12) rolled to a home win in the Division 5 preliminary round.

Holbrook 7, St. Bernard’s 0: The 32nd-seeded Bernardians (6-13) were blanked by No. 33 Holbrook in a Division 5 preliminary contest.

Baseball

Snowden 6, Lunenburg 2: Senior Tristan Dance notched an RBI double, but it wasn’t enough for the 26th-seeded Blue Knights (8-11) in a Division 4 prelim loss.

Girls tennis

Masconomet 5, Nashoba 0: Bella Cosentino and Grace Hanley battled in a 6-1, 6-2 first singles loss for the 36th-seeded Wolves (10-10) in a Division 2 round of 32 defeat.

Volleyball

Fitchburg 3, Keefe Tech 0: The 16th-seeded Red Raiders advance to the round of 16 in the Division 2 tournament.

College baseball

Fitchburg State senior catcher Vincent Eramo has been selected to participate in the 2023 New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA) All-Star Game at Dunkin Donuts Park, home of the Hartford Yard Goats in Hartford, Conn., on June 5 at noon.

This season, Eramo batted .395 with 58 hits, 11 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs, 37 runs scored, 55 RBI, 18 walks and 13 steals for the Green and Gold, while rewriting the Falcon record books in the process as the senior catcher set the single season program record for home runs (12), RBI (55) and total bases (109) as well as setting the Falcons career record for home runs (22) and total bases (280).

For his efforts, the Shitley native was selected to the MASCAC All-Conference First Team, the D3 Baseball.Com All-Region First Team and the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings All-Region First Team.

Eramo has played five games with the Worcester Bravehearts of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, batting .294 with a home run and six runs driven in.

White hot at the right time

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Nick White has picked a fine time to get red-hot.

The former North Middlesex Regional and American Legion Post 151 ballplayer has come on at the exact right moment for the University of Maine baseball team, putting together an outstanding pair of games for the top-seeded Black Bears in the America East tournament.

Since returning from a separated shoulder that kept him off the diamond for most of March and all of April, the junior has been producing at a notable rate.

A utility player who transferred to Orono from Northern Essex Community College, White has posted some strong numbers in his first season of Division 1 baseball. He’s batting .375 on the season with three home runs and 13 RBI in 21 games. White has also scored 15 runs and played flawlessly in the field, recording 33 putouts without an error.

But as the regular season came to a close and the conference tournament rolled around, White’s numbers have begun to rise. He’s been a critical cog in the Black Bear offense, which has landed Maine in the America East final after taking the first two contests in tournament.

The Black Bears (31-19, 19-5 AE) will vie for the conference crown Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Binghamton in Vestel, New York, against the winner of Friday’s late elimination game between No. 3 Binghamton and second-seeded UMBC. Should Maine fall in that tilt, it would have a second chance to claim the title in a winner-take-all second contest 45 minutes after the completion of the first.

In his last five games, White is 9-22 (.409) with two homers and four RBI. In Thursday’s 10-7 quarterfinal victory over UMass Lowell, White went 2-for-5 with a double and home run, driving in three and followed that up on Friday with a 1-for-4 showing at the plate against UMBC in the America East semifinals.

White had been solid through the early stages of the season, but missed nearly two months worth of games after a shoulder injury. But White returned on May 5 and has played in a dozen contests since then.

Nick White notches a base hit for Leominster American Legion Post 151 baseball team during a 2018 game. (Sentinel & Enterprise File Photo)
Nick White notches a base hit for Leominster American Legion Post 151 baseball team during a 2018 game. (Sentinel & Enterprise File Photo)

And many of his Division 1 season highs have come since that return. He notched a season-high four hits in a May 20 game against Bryant, and scored a season-high three runs in that contest. The left-hand hitting and right-hand throwing White set his high for the campaign in RBI in Thursday’s win over the River Hawks.

To those familiar with the 6-foot, 200-pound former Patriot, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that he’s excelling. After starring on the diamond in Townsend and then with the American Legion Post 151 team in Leominster under Jeff Dedeian, White played two seasons of junior college ball at Northern Essex.

All White did during his time with the Knights is twice be named a National Junior College Athletic Association and help the team to a berth in the NJCAA World Series last spring. Having completed two years at the Haverhill school, White announced he head north to Orono to join the Black Bears.

 

Local roundup: Bulldogs power past Bernardians

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In a battle of Fitchburg-based schools, the Bulldogs came out on top.

The Monty Tech softball team powered past crosstown rival St. Bernard’s, 15-5, Wednesday afternoon at Bulldog Field.

Bridget Divoll picked up the win for the Bulldogs (13-3), going five innings in relief of Danielle Belliveau. She gave up three runs (none earned) on three hits with no walks and eight strikeouts. Elaina Sarsfield pitched the last two innings, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out a pair.

Lynn Warren suffered the loss for St. Bernard’s (5-10), pitching six innings and giving up 15 runs (11 earned) on 18 hits, striking out seven and walking four.

Monty Tech's Bridget Divoll delivers a pitch to St. Bernard's Samantha Suomala during Wednesday's game. (Sentinel & Enterprise / Nick Mallard)
Monty Tech’s Bridget Divoll delivers a pitch to St. Bernard’s Samantha Suomala during Wednesday’s game. (Sentinel & Enterprise / Nick Mallard)

Haley Fleming led the Bulldog offense with four hits, including a triple and a double, and three RBI, while Belliveau had three hits, including a double, and three RBI.

Sophia Gaidanowicz had three hits and drove in a pair, while Nallely Valentin had two hits and drove in three. Jordan Higbee chipped in with a pair of hits for Monty Tech, including a triple.

Lunenburg 10, Quabbin 9: Lillian Grebinar (2-for-4, home run, five RBI) delivered a bases-loaded RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning to propel the host Blue Knights (7-8).

Ava Koziol earned the win in the circle for the Blue Knights going the distance and striking out seven . Lunenburg’s Sarah Viveiros and Chloe Koziol led the Blue Knights with three hits each.

Baseball

Fitchburg 13, North Middlesex 3: Albert Ascenio (2-for-3, home run, three runs), Steven Escano (2-for-3, two runs) and James Geehan (3-for-3, run) each drove in a pair for the Red Raiders (9-8). Henry Bruun allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks, striking out eight in five innings to earn the win.

Ryan Arsenault was 1-for-2 with a pair of RBI for the Patriots.

Leominster 12, Shrewsbury 0: The Blue Devils improve to 14-1 with the victory.

Boys track and field

Ayer-Shirley Regional won the Mid-Wach E championship with 212 points at Tuesday’s meet, easily outdistancing Tahanto Regional (125) and Maynard (110).

Jacob Kalgren won the 110 hurdles, 200, shot put and discus to pace the Panthers. Cole New won the 400 and placed both in triple jump and 200.

Volleyball

Fitchburg 3, Ayer-Shirley 1: Set scores were 25-14, 25-16, 17-25 and 25-20.

Junior middle hitter Dodge DeGagne had five blocks and an ace for the Panthers (4-10), while junior setter and middle hitter David Batchelor had four blocks, four kills and an ace.

Girls track and field

Ayer Shirley girls won the Mid-Wach E title on Tuesday with 231 points, followed by Tahanto (106) and Maynard (78).

Alison Gravelle won the shot put and the discus to lead the way for the Panthers, while Emily Churchill won the javelin and 400 and anchored the winning 4×400 team. Grace Flanagan added a victory in the 110 hurdles and placed third in high jump.

College baseball

Fitchburg State saw three players named to the 2023 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) All-Conference Teams on Wednesday.

Senior Vincent Eramo and graduate student Lowell Pare were selected to the All-Conference First Team, while sophomore Jacob Hurrell earned All-Conference Second Team honors.

Eramo, a Shirley native, picks up his third MASCAC All-Conference honor after posting a .395 batting average with 58 hits, 11 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs, 37 runs scored, 55 RBI, 18 walks and 13 stolen bases, while setting the Falcons’ single season records for RBI, home runs and total bases as well setting the program record for career home runs (22) and total bases (280).

Pare, a Leominster High grad, collects his first MASCAC All-Conference nod after registering an ERA of 3.88 with a record of 9-2 with two saves and 59 strikeouts over 51 innings of work, setting the Falcons’ single season record for wins in a season (nine) and games pitched (23).

Fitchburg State recently concluded its 2023 campaign with an overall record of 19-21 and a 9-12 clip in conference play.

College softball

Fitchburg State saw a pair of players named to the 2023 MASCAC All-Conference Teams on Wednesday., as senior Sarah Cahill  and junior Julia Gauvin earned All-Conference Second Team honors

Cahill notches her second MASCAC All-Conference honors after posting an ERA of 4.47 with a team-leading 101 strikeouts over 109.2 innings pitched, en route to an overall record of 7-9, while batting .275 with 14 hits, three doubles, four runs scored, 11 RBI and three walks.

Gauvin collects her second MASCAC All-Conference accolades as well after hitting .295 with 33 hits, 11 doubles, one triple, one home run, 21 runs scored, 19 RBI, eight walks and three stolen bases for the Falcons.

Fitchburg State recently concluded its 2023 campaign with an overall record of 15-23 and a 7-7 mark within the MASCAC.

Lunenburg native Abigail Koziol of Worcester State landed on the  MASCAC All-Conference First team, along with teammate Bella Gasbarro, of Leominster. Fellow Leominster High grad Lauren Dube earned a spot on the All-Conference second team after a strong season with the Lancers.

Local roundup: Blue Devils roll past Worcester South

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The wins just keep coming for the Leominster High boys volleyball team.

The Blue Devils improved to 12-1 on the season with a 3-0 win over Worcester South on Wednesday afternoon. Set scores were 25-13, 25-21 and 25-22.

Daniel Caetano had 21 kills, nine digs and eight service points and Andy Truong added 37 assists, 11 service points and three digs. Marvins Gelin, Louis Ciccolini, Quinn Maher-Kellelea and Torin O’Brien all played well in the win.

North Middlesex 3, Ayer-Shirley 0: The Patriots improved to 8-2 on the season behind set victories of 25-17, 25-5 and 25-8.

Junior right side and setter David Batchelor had three kills and two assists for the Panthers.(2-6), while junior outside hitter Miles Pyatt added two kills.

Baseball

Fitchburg 4, Groton-Dunstable 0: Henry Bruun scattered five hits and struck out seven to earn the shutout victory for the Red Raiders (5-6). Riley Leblanc, Tyler Brassard and Jose Rodriguez each drove in a run.

Softball

Monty Tech 12,  AMSA 8: Danielle Belliveau picked up the win  for the Bulldogs (9-1, 3-1 CAL). going the distance and allowing four earned runs on nine hits, striking out four and walking six.

Jessica Mueller led the Bulldog attack, going 5-for-5 with a home run, double and six RBI, while Belliveau helped her own cause by going 3-for-4 with a double, scoring four times and driving in two.

Clinton 14, Oakmont 5: Olivia Souers and Myla Mexico each drove in a pair for the Spartans in defeat.

Boys lacrosse

St. Bernard’s 18, Monty Tech 3: Josh Hoecker erupted for eight goals to lead the Bernardians (5-5), while Liam Buckley (four assists) and Keegan Rose (two assists) each had three goals. Chase Courtemanche (four assists) and Quinn Carlson (assist) each scored twice in the win.

Brett Malloux potted a pair of goals for Monty Tech (2-7).

Boys tennis

Nashoba 3, Marlboro 2: Leo Lima and Brian Quill-Schuffels took care of business in first doubles action for the Wolves (9-1) and David Curran and Elias Skala-Rosenbaum stormed to victory in second doubles. Jesse Gjeltema earned a win in first singles for Nashoba.

Girls track and field

Nashoba 104, Marlboro 40: Erin Farmer won the long jump and 100 to lead the Wolves (4-0, 4-0 Mid-Wach B) in the final meet of their dual meet season.

College baseball

Amherst 15, Fitchburg State 7: Trailing 3-0 in the second, the Falcons (17-17) got on the board as Jacob Hurrell doubled before senior Zachary Malek followed with an RBI double..

The Green and Gold knotted the score at 3 in the bottom of the third as freshman Maxwell Kelly walked, advanced to second and third on a sacrifice bunt and single off the bat of senior Vincent Eramo before newcomer Adam Koza brought in Kelly with a groundout and Malek followed with an RBI single to left, scoring Eramo.

Trailing 12-3, Fitchburg State responded in the bottom of the sixth when Kelly and sophomore Matthew Smith walked before Eramo blasted a three-run shot to left center and Hurrell connected on a solo home run to right field to reduce the lead to 12-7.

Eramo led the way for the Falcons, going 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI, eclipsing the 100-runs scored mark for his career. Malek finished 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.

Sophomore Joseph Hartnett allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit with two Ks over one inning of work for Fitchburg State in a no-decision.