Update after press time:
Melrose defeats Wakefield 1-0 (May 12)
Melrose falls to Burlington 8-4 (May 8)
Published May 9, 2025
Comeback win over Woburn has Melrose 8-5
MELROSE—The Melrose High baseball team is just two wins away from punching a ticket into the Div. 2 post season after an impressive 6-4 win over Woburn on May 2.
With a current record 8-5 overall, Melrose remains in the top 10 state ranking in division two (9th this week). They hold a Middlesex League record of 7-4, and remain unbeaten in the Freedom Division at 5-0.
The win against the Tanners was perfectly timed, and followed back-to back losses versus Lexington at home and in Arlington on April 30.
On Friday, May 2 Melrose had a tough test at home against perennial Middlesex League contender, the Woburn Tanners. It’s hard to call a game at the start of May a must-win, and it’s even harder to say it is a must win against a team as strong as Woburn. But Melrose varsity baseball coach Scott Searles admitted it was a big game that Melrose needed to play better against. “Woburn was a definitely a big game,” he says. “The team was kind of reeling after playing two uncharacteristic (sloppy) games earlier in the week (two losses). We can always tell how ready the team is for a game in infield/outfield warm ups, pregame and Friday they were all locked in and ready to go.
Sophomore lefty Thomas Santoriello came out strong on the mound against a talented hitting Woburn team. Woburn has dangerous hitters up and down their line-up and Santoriello did a good job of battling and limiting Woburn’s chances, even though Woburn took an early 1-0 lead after the first inning. Both pitchers held the other team scoreless until the home half of the third inning. Melrose got its offense going thanks to a walk by Dylan Harrington and a base hit by Jaiden Aquino. Senior catcher Brendan Doyle also worked a walk, setting the stage for smooth hitting junior, Cadel McKeown. Cadel laced a two RBI hit to the outfield to give Melrose its first runs of the game and Melrose went ahead 2-1 after the third inning.
Baltimore Oriole legend Earl Weaver once famously said that “The key to winning baseball games is pitching, fundamentals and three-run homeruns.” Unfortunately, Melrose was on the wrong side of a three run homerun as Woburn reclaimed the lead 4-2 on the back of a three run home run out of Morelli Field. Undeterred, Melrose would battle back in one of their biggest games of the 2025 season.
In the bottom of the 5th, Melrose tied the game at 4 behind Harrington, Aquino and McKeown. Harrington reached on an error, Aquino doubled and McKeown added a sacrifice fly. McKeown noted the teams’ positive attitude and high energy as key. “Staying into the game in the dugout and in the field and keeping our energy high until the final out is a big factor. We can’t get down mentally, even if the other team takes the lead,” he said. “Our energy and positivity is going to help us to hopefully get another winning streak going and to make a run in the state playoffs.”
Dylan Harrington would relive Santoriello on the mound to face the talented Tanners hitters. Harrington was up to the task and was strong and effective on the mound. Searles said of Harrington, “He [Harrington] did a great job of throwing strikes and being competitive with his fastball. Dylan had to find his curveball but he’s a leader out there and a great competitor and he did a great job of keeping Woburn off the scoreboard as we battled back.
In the bottom of the 6th inning with the score tied 4-4 Melrose got their offense in gear. Reid Heidebrecht got the final rally going when he reached on an error. Junior Jack Casey had a great at bat and he smoked a hard hit ball that went all the way down the third base line into the left field corner for an RBI double to score Heidebrecht, giving Melrose the 5-4 lead. Senior Michael Thomas, smacked an RBI double of his own to score Casey to extend the lead to 6-4. Said Harrington, “The offense was able to build a little cushion for us in the bottom of the sixth and when I head back out to the mound in the seventh, I had a lot of confidence.”
That confidence helped Harrington close the door on Woburn and secure a huge victory for Melrose. Added senior Michael Thomas, “We haven’t beaten Woburn in a few years so it’s good to get one over them, it was a huge win.” The entire team had a lot of confidence in Harrington’s ability to close the door on Woburn. Thomas continued about his teammate Harrington, “Dylan is a great leader and is always filled with positive energy for the entire team. He’s a player we can all count on.”
Harrington kept Woburn at bay with his fastball but he knew he had to find his curveball to keep the dangerous Woburn hitters off the scoreboard. Harrington conceded that he was having difficulty with his curve. “My curve wasn’t great all game but I knew if I started to execute that pitch Woburn wouldn’t be expecting it. That’s exactly what happened on the last pitch, I was able to freeze their last batter with a very well executed curveball.”
Execute that pitch he did, getting a called third strike to end the game and secure a huge victory for Melrose. A victory that will hopefully give Melrose momentum as they turn their attention to the Middlesex Freedom Division schedule with games against Wakefield and Burlington. On Monday, they will travel to Walsh Field in Wakefield for a 4:15 p.m. battle.