The Chelsea High baseball team will embark on its Journey to the Tourney when the Red Devils host Weston today (Thursday) in an opening round contest of the MIAA Division 3 North sectional baseball tournament. The opening pitch is slated for 4:00.
The Red Devils, with an 11-7 record, are the eighth seed in the Division 3 North bracket. Weston is the ninth seed with a 12-8 mark. Chelsea competes in the Small Division of the Commonwealth Athletic Conference, while Weston plays in the Small Division of the Dual County League.
The winner of today’s contest will meet the victor of the game pitting Greater Lowell, which is the number one seed in the North bracket, against the winner of today’s Saugus vs. Madison Park tilt, who are the 16th and 17th seeds. Greater Lowell will meet that winner on June 4, which means that if the Red Devils are successful against Weston, they will not play until at least June 6 and most likely Monday, June 7.
Weston rates as a formidable team, having defeated two common opponents of Chelsea’s. Weston beat Greater Lowell 7-4 earlier this season, one of only two losses for Lowell, the CAC Large Division champion. Weston also rolled over North Shore Tech of the CAC Small Division, 18-6, last week. Chelsea defeated No. Shore twice, 6-3 and 11-10, but dropped a 4-0 decision to Greater Lowell.
“I spoke to the North Shore coach and he said they have a strong lineup from top to bottom,” said CHS head coach Alan Beausoleil. “But every team in the tourney deserves to be there and will be a tough opponent.”
The Red Devils completed their regular season schedule last week with contests against Matignon and Greater Lawrence. Chelsea fell at Matignon 6-1 on Friday, thanks in large part to CHS fielding miscues in the second inning that allowed five Matignon runners to cross the plate. Jose Pineda came on in relief of Eli Ortiz and tossed a strong three and one third innings in which he allowed just one run on three hits.
However, the Chelsea offense was unable to cut into the Matignon lead thanks to a lack of timely hitting. The Red Devils had runners on base in almost every inning, but could not deliver the key hit. Peter Marmolejos had two hits, Juan Encarnacion had a hit and a run, and Pineda had a double and an RBI.
However, a 12-2 romp over Greater Lawrence on the local field on Saturday proved a different story. Adonys Urbaez pitched six excellent frames of three hit, one run baseball. Adonys also led the Chelsea offensive attack with two hits, including a triple, three RBI, and two runs scored. Encarnacion was 2 for 2 with a run and a ribbie; Ryan Motta likewise was 2 for 2 with an RBI; and Pineda had a hit, a walk, and was hit by a pitch as he scored twice, knocked in two, and stole a base,
Four Red Devils were named to the CAC all star team and played key roles in the all star game held Tuesday. Adonys Urbaez pitched a 1-2-3 inning and scored a run; Pineda had a hit and two RBI; Luis Diaz singled, walked twice, and had an RBI; and Ortiz reached base.
The all star contest was a mix of CAC teams and players, with the Chelsea side coming put on the short end of a 6-4 decision.