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Saggese's late hit keys Danvers baseball over Swampscott

The Danvers High offense has been sporadic all season, but the Falcons keep piling up the wins, the latest being a 3-2 decision over Swampscott at home Monday night.

Justin Mitchell led off the game with a home run for Swampscott, but Jeff Eldridge's run-scoring double tied in the bottom of the first and Danvers scored the winning run in the bottom of the sixth as Chris Perry led off with a single, advanced to second on Greg Ladd's sacrifice bunt and scored on Larry Saggese's two-out, pinch hit single. Danvers boosted its record to 12-2 while Swampscott dropped to 5-9.

Ladd went the route on the mound for Danvers, scattering five hits, walking only one and striking out six.

John Gikas had a run-scoring single for Danvers in the second inning. Perry finished 2 for 2 and stood out at third base.

"We've been seaching for that key hit all year and we got it tonight from Saggese," said Danvers coach Roger Day. "It's good that we've won 12 games without getting a lot of key hits, but tonight we came through. Ladd was another key with a great performance on the mound. He took charge. He's just been huge for us."

Steve Moran and Mitchell each finished with two hits for Swampscott. Ryan Squires pitched well, throwing six innings, allowing seven hits, two earned runs, while striking out six.