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Rockport holds off spirited Hornets

Wednesday, May, 21 By Nick Curcuru
Staff writer

Having already clinched a berth in the state tournament, the Rockport baseball team's matchup with one-win Manchester Essex looked to be a classic trap game.

Sure enough, the Vikings were given a run for their money from a very spirited Hornets squad. But fortunately for Rockport, they were able to stay out of the trap thanks to a three-run seventh inning en route to a 9-7 win yesterday at Memorial Field in Essex.

Vikings head coach John Parisi admitted that his team came out flat, but was also quick to credit the much improved Hornets.

"This was a very good game," Parisi said. "We came out flat, and we were probably a little complacent. But Manchester Essex is a much improved team, they gave us a run for our money and they have a bright future."

Tied at six heading into the seventh, the Vikings (10-7) took the lead for good. Derek Osmond broke the tie when he singled in Isaac Dann. Two batters later catcher Eric Juncker doubled in Osmond and Matt Hendy, who had singled, to make it 9-6.

The Hornets, however, would not go away quietly in the bottom half of the inning. Ben Kekeisen led off the inning with a single off relief pitcher Derek Osmond. After stealing second base, Pat Hoffman singled him in. Osmond then was able to get the next three batters to preserve to win for the Vikings.

Despite the loss, Manchester Essex head coach Frank Morrissey was pleased with his team's effort.

"This was a big confidence builder for us," Morrissey said. "Rockport is a playoff team and we made them go to their ace in the late innings to get the win. But they still made the plays when they needed to. We are much improved but we still haven't put together a complete game, offense, defense and pitching."

The Vikings took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Osmond (3-4) came in to score on a throwing error after singling. The Hornets answered right back with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Ryan Brewster beat a throw home after singling to tie the score at one. Greg Pelley came in on a wild pitch to make it 2-1 and Zeke Gillette capped off the scoring in the inning when he came in to score on an Ian Graham RBI single.

Down 4-3 in the fifth, the Vikings took the lead with three runs in the frame. Brewster made the defensive play of the day when he dove full extension into the center field fence to take extra bases away from Hendy. Brewster, however, was hurt on the play and Dann took advantage tagging up from second base to tie the score. The gritty center fielder later showed his toughness by staying in the game despite a gash on his lip.

Juncker broke the tie one batter later when he ripped a solo home run to left-center. Cory Emerson added a run later in the inning on a throwing error to make it 6-4 Vikings.

The Hornets again showed their heart in the bottom half of the inning knotting up the score at six. Hoffman drove in Gillette, who had singled, to make it 6-5. Hoffman (2 for 4) would later come in on a fielder's choice to tie the score.

The Vikings are now setting their sights on the state tournament. Rockport ends the season when it hosts North Shore Tech on Friday (6:30 p.m.).

"We are looking to get a good week of practice and a good game on Friday before the tournament," Parisi said. "We have a little time to rest some of our guys, we have some tired arms that we will need come tournament time."