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Melrose falls to Masconomet 4-1 (May 25)
Melrose falls to Cambridge 9-1 (May 21)
Published May 23, 2025
Melrose High baseball is league champs after 34 years
By CORY THOMAS
MELROSE—The Melrose High baseball team has done what no other team has done in over three decades: win a Middlesex League title.
Melrose took the Freedom League on Tuesday, May 20 after earning their 12 win of the season against Watertown in a 12-2, five-inning victory that clinches Melrose’s first league title in 34 years. It was a memorable day at Morelli Field, where prior to the game they honored a quintet of seniors on Senior Day: Jaiden Aquino, Brendan Doyle, Dylan Harrington, Reid Heidebrecht, and Michael Thomas.
Melrose improves to 12-6, (11-5 Middlesex League) as they finish their regular league schedule and prepare for playoffs. Melrose coach Scott Searles likes where his team is at. “We’re in a great position right now. We’re already in the state tournament, and we just have to finish strong to land the highest possible seed we can get.”
Melrose Senior Dylan Harrington got the start on the mound against Watertown. Michael Thomas led off the game with a single to center and Harrington followed with a walk. Jaiden Aquino advanced Thomas and Harrington with a sacrifice fly to right and Brendan Doyle scored Thomas with a deep fly to right to score the speedy Thomas with an RBI sacrifice fly and the two teams were tied at 1 after the first inning.
The score would remain tied, this time at 2 as they entered the bottom of the 4th inning, and Melrose loaded the bases again behind Thomas & Harrington when up stepped Big Righty senior Jaiden Aquino, who smashed a deep fly to right over the Watertown defenders head for a bases clearing 3 RBI double to break a close game open. Said Aquino of his big hit, “It felt amazing to get that hit on senior night, in front of my family and friends, but I think it was more special being able to experience it all with kids I grew up playing with since Little League.”
Harrington would settle into a nice groove where he kept the Watertown bats quiet as Melrose worked on building its lead. Melrose had base runners on all night against Watertown and key hits drove runners in. Sophomore Nate Geer had a big night, adding two hits and four RBI. The smooth fielding outfielder spoke of his big night in front of a big crowd in a Middlesex League clinching game. “I felt great in the field and at the plate. We all knew it was a big game for the seniors and for the team with a chance to win the league.” Geer’s two, 2 RBI hits came in the 4th and 5th inning. His 5th inning hit provided the winning runs and a Middlesex League-clinching victory in five innings for Melrose.
Harrington went five strong innings to earn the win, allowing only one earned run, four hits, while striking out seven batters. Harrington was asked about how it feels for him and the team. “It feels great. Melrose hasn’t accomplished this in over thirty years and it’s amazing to be part of this historic season. This year is not over and we have plans on making a run in the state tournament and hopefully win a state championship.”
Melrose also earned a critical win last Thursday when they took a short trip up Franklin Street to visit the Stoneham Spartans and left with a clutch, 5-4 victory.
Melrose’s depth was on display, specifically thanks to two underclassmen, sophomore lefty hurler Thomas Santoriello and freshman Christopher Repici, who got the start at first base for Melrose. Santoriello pitched strong for Melrose, even when Stoneham took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Santoriello would battle for five innings to keep Melrose close until their bats could get going. Offense finally got going in the 5th inning behind their senior leaders, Michael Thomas and Dylan Harrington. Thomas worked a leadoff walk, and Harrington added an infield base hit to set the table. They both got into scoring position with some aggressive base running when a double steal put them on 2nd and 3rd. Thomas would score to tie the game at 1-1.
In the top of the 6th, Melrose would take their first lead, thanks to a big double to left for junior Jack Casey. Chris Repici lined a solid base hit into the outfield to score Casey as Melrose went ahead 2-1. It was the first varsity hit and RBI for Repici, who also did a fine job anchoring the defense at first base for Melrose against Stoneham. Stoneham would battle back, as they always do and they tied the game in the bottom of the 6th inning and eventually went ahead 4-2 in the home half of the 6th.
Melrose’s backs were against the wall, trailing by two runs heading into their final at bat. Dylan Harrington led the 7th off with is third hit of the day and was quickly followed by senior catcher Brendan Doyle who launched an RBI double to deep right center field to score Harrington to bring the score to 4-3. Melrose still trailed when Junior Cadel McKeown singled to drive in Doyle and we were tied at 4!
Melrose held on defense behind sophomore Jamie Hickey on the hill and the game went to extra innings. Jack Casey got the offense moving in the 8th inning the hard way by taking a fastball in the back to reach base, but Casey was not complaining, he was fired up, as was the loud Melrose bench. Casey would make it to 2nd base and into scoring position for Senior Lefty leadoff hitter Michael Thomas. Thomas added his third hit of the day to drive in Casey to put Melrose ahead 5-4. Melrose turned the game over to Dylan Harrington, who has sparkled in relief during the 2nd half of the season. Thursday in Stoneham was no different as Harrington was perfect, striking out three straight batters to end the game and close out Melrose’s 11th victory of the year.
Melrose has two regular season games left at Cambridge May 21 and home against Masconomet on Friday May 23. Then the state tournament starts and Melrose is hoping their Middlesex League title will help send them into the tournament with confidence and momentum.
Pairings are expected to be posted mid next week. Fans are encouraged to visit our social media pages or the MIAA website at www.miaa.net