By Lorenzo Recupero
Behind seven standout innings from Evan Mallard, the Crimson Tide toppled Beverly, 3-1, at home Monday to inch a bit closer to .500 on the season.
Mallard (2-3), a senior left-handed pitcher, powered the Tide with a commanding performance, fanning a career-high 12 with just two hits and one earned run in his pitching line (7IP,12Ks,3 walks,2 hits, 1 earned run).
“We’ve been counting on him, and finally [against Beverly] he pitched like we know he can,” said Assistant Coach Joe Lento Sr., who said inconsistency from the bullpen is what’s hampered the team in the win column so far.
Three of the team’s losses were marred by innings that included 6 walks, all leading to extra runs for opponents.
“We give up one big inning and we end up chasing and that’s hard to do,” said Lento Sr..
So far, the Tide have beaten Revere, Somerville and Beverly.
Standing at 3-5 overall, the Tide need seven more wins to clinch a playoff berth.
To qualify for the playoffs a team must win half of their games and the MIAA regular season is 20 games total.
That’s why just eight games into the season the playoffs are already coming into focus.
“[Making the postseason] depends on how our pitching goes,” said Lento Sr..“The games lost this season have been to due to big innings. We will rely on our guys, we’ll see,” he said.
The Crimson will play a back-to-back next as they travel to Revere April 8 (4PM) before hitting the home diamond against Lynn Classical April 9 (4PM) to wrap up the week.