16 - May 13, 2011


Pelham~Windham Sports Pelham~Windham Sports


Pythons ‘Cann’ Cavs on Four-Hitter Clay Morin makes solid contact for a hit against the Cavs in Pelham’s 6-1 win


Python senior pitcher Bill Cann (#21) throws a complete-game, four-hit, 6-1 win against the Cavs


Pelham’s left-fielder Jesse Vaiknoras singles up the middle in the Pythons’ 6-1 win over visiting Hollis-Brookline


by Marc Ayotte It was simply the execution of on-the-field basics by a cohesive and diligent-diamond Python squad that put Pelham back in the win column on May 6. Included in the swift turnaround was a superb, complete-game, four-hit, one-run, four- strikeout pitching performance by Python starting hurler Billy Cann. The Pelham senior’s spiffy silencing of Cavalier bats was instrumental in taking the collective foot off the brake of Pelham’s recent four-game losing skid. Pelham also used a second-inning offensive explosion to plate six runners on their way to a nice Friday afternoon, 6-1 victory over visiting Hollis-Brookline. With the Pythons reeling from injuries in the


pitching department, Cann’s gem was timely, if nothing else. In going the distance, Cann was not only influential in getting the Pythons back to the .500 mark, he helped the Pythons fortify the confidence level that will not waver with this young team. In assessing his ‘mound marvel,’


the Pelham pitcher commented on the strategy to the game that he and battery-mate Evan Sage shared. “Well, we talked about getting ahead of every count and what pitches to throw to make that happen. And we were also going to stay calm even in pressure situations and keep focused on the game,” he said. As is the case in every game with this gritty group, Cann was quick to acknowledge this win was a result of everyone’s determination and hard work. “I worked with Evan and we came up with a game plan and it worked perfectly. And we won the game because I had great defense behind me and it was [an] all- around team effort,” he said.


In the game-determining second inning, the Pythons took advantage of several Cavalier errors. Spraying the ball in all directions, the Pelham hitters forced the Hollis-Brookline fielders to make plays, which—frankly—they did not. Leading the home team at the plate as well as defensively was third baseman Justin Moran. The Python playing at the hot corner made several solid defensive plays and contributed in the batter’s box by going one for three with two RBIs. Left-fielder Jesse Vaiknoras, fueled by his never- ending supply of gummy worms, contributed


nicely, going two for three. “We have a bunch of players with confidence. Everyone wants to make a play. We had two great [hitting] practices that got us prepared for this game,” noted the Python dual-sport senior. Catcher Evan Sage continued his hitting proficiency, going one for three in driving in two runs. After the game, one of the three Pelham coaches, Matt Stone, commented on his pitcher’s contribution to the win. “It all starts with pitching. He threw strikes. It keeps the game moving. It keeps his pitch count down. That’s how he can go a complete game,” he said. On the heels of the recent Cavalier beat-down, the Pythons stand at 5-5 as they begin to regroup and make their Division II play-off push. On Monday, May 9, the Pythons traveled to Kingston for an afternoon encounter with Sanborn Regional High. With a victory over the Indians earlier in the season at home, Pelham was looking for the two-game season sweep. Payback was the theme for this match-up, however, as Sanborn used two runs in the first, followed by three more in the second in shutting down the Pythons 5-1. The loss drops PHS back to one game below .500 at five wins and six losses. Things started out well for the visitors, as Jake


Vaiknoras scored what proved to be the Pythons’ lone run in the top of the first. In the bottom of the first, the Indians, dressed in blue and white, retaliated with two runs of their own, taking a one-run lead. After blanking the Pythons in the second, Sanborn added three more insurance runs as they chased the Pelham starting pitcher from the hill after only two innings. Despite the Python pitching staff throwing very well of late by blanking their opponents in 10 of the last 13 innings played, they have not been duly rewarded, as the offense has managed to score in only two of their last 13 innings. Sanborn’s starting pitcher, Johnson, proceeded to scatter just six hits in going the distance for the victory. The limited Pelham offense saw brothers Jake and Jesse Vaiknoras pick up one hit apiece while catcher Evan Sage, in steady fashion, had two hits in three at-bats. Pat McLean and second baseman Alex Newton contributed the other two Pelham hits. The Pythons’ time away from home continues with three more consecutively scheduled road games (weather pending) before returning back to the friendly confines of their home field on Wednesday, May 25, when they take on Pembroke Academy.


Windham Boys’ Tennis Sweeps Pembroke


David Bresnahan fires the ball back to the other side


by Chris White Nine matches into the 2011 season, the


Windham Jaguars have proven to be competitive on the Division II boys’ tennis circuit. After last week, the Jags own a 3-6 record and will be trying to earn a playoff spot over the course of their final five regular season matches. The Jaguars had a great day on Monday, May


2, when they swept Pembroke 9-0 on the road. Taking wins in individual match play were David Hutchings (8-1), Tyler Somen (8-3), Andrew Sun (8-3), David Bresnahan (8-5), David Musto (8-1), and Stephen Brandt (8-0). Winning in doubles play were the teams of Hutchings and Somen (8-3), Sun and Bresnahan (8-1), and Joe Forti and Musto (8-1). “It was a great match for us,” Windham coach


Mike Jolicoeur said. “Our guys were focused and played very well.” Windham would drop its next two matches,


though. The team took a 5-4 loss to ConVal at home on Friday, May 6, and then fell by the count of 6-3 at Souhegan the following Monday. Windham winners against ConVal included Bresnahan (8-2), Musto (8-3), and Brandt (8-4) in singles competition.


photos by Marc Ayotte


photo by Chris White


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