Sports Roundup: Boys Lax Earns Statement Win Over Abington

This Whaler sports roundup includes updates on the boys lacrosse team following a big road victory over one of the top teams in Div. 4, the softball team, the boys and girls tennis teams, and the baseball team.

Boys Lax Blows Out Abington

The Whaler boys lacrosse team is scorching hot right now and entered their Wednesday road matchup against the Abington Green Wave hoping to improve their win streak to 11 games. The Green Wave were 11-4 entering the game and ranked #7 in the latest MIAA Div. 4 rankings released on Tuesday.

The game was close through three quarters, but the Whalers dominated the final quarter to walk away with a 14-4 blowout victory while improving their record to 13-1 on the year.

“They were a good team man," Nantucket head coach Sam Aloisi said. "We were up 4-3 at halftime and 7-3 after three quarters. They were for real. They were a good team. These kids are in such great shape with the conditioning that Wally (Lester) puts them through. We didn't really do much wrong in the first half or three quarters. They were good."

The Whalers also entered the game without senior captain and long pole Griffin Starr once again, and junior Owen Sullivan – who has become an outstanding defensive midfielder for the Whalers – was also unavailable due to injury. Sophomore Canton Jenkinson continues to thrive in the back end in place of Starr, and senior captain Michael Culkins stepped into Sullivan’s role for the Wednesday matinee and played well.

"Michael did a phenomenal job," Aloisi said. "With Owen out, Michael grabbed the long stick middy yesterday since Canton had to go down low because Griffin is out. So we were without two of our starting defensemen and only gave up four goals. The team defense is really, really tenacious and there's not any easy looks. We gave up two easy looks on the backside in the second quarter and then just identified the problem and then the guys just shut it right down. It was great.”

“We were talking about how if we needed a goalie, we could probably throw the gear on Mikey, we would be fine, and he would do it with a smile on his face,” Aloisi added. “He is unique and a special athlete. He is playing as good as he ever has. For three years he has just been steady. He does whatever we need. Offensively, defensively – he was taking faceoffs for us last year.”

Aloisi said junior David Cirillo was excellent in the faceoff dot and played a major role in the Whaler’s fourth quarter offensive explosion for seven goals.

Jeremy Jenkinson was also excellent in net per usual. When the game was tight for three quarters, he routinely made quality save after quality save. He was awarded the player’s jacket after the game for his performance and finished with nine saves.

Senior Cole Chambers was tied for the team-lead with four goals and added three assists. Senior Jack Halik also had four goals and an assist. Senior Colby O’Keefe scored two goals and sophomore Arann Hanlon had two goals and an assist. Senior Ryan Davis had one goal and senior Paddy Carroll had one goal and one assist. Culkins finished with one assist.

Nantucket will look to keep this win streak going on Saturday, May 18 whenthey host Shrewsbury at 11 a.m.

Softball Beats Sturgis East

The Nantucket softball team improved to 6-5 this season following a 21-9 victory over the Sturgis East Storm Thursday afternoon. The Whalers began the game with a six run first inning and ended it with a seven run sixth inning.

This was the fourth consecutive win for the Whalers, who have now outscored their opponents 97-39 over that stretch and have won via the mercy rule in each game.

The Whalers will attempt to improve to 7-5 when they host Rising Tide on Friday, May 17 at 4 p.m. Nantucket lost to Rising Tide on the road earlier this season 19-17.

Girls Tennis Loses, Boys Win

The girls tennis team lost their matchup on Wednesday while the boys tennis team won. The girls lost to St. John Paul II 4-1 on the road while the boys beat SJP at home 4-1.

The girls are currently the #14 seed in the latest Div. 4 rankings while the boys are #17.

With both teams fighting for a home match in round one, each game moving forward will be paramount. The girls will be in action again on Friday against the Sturgis West Navigators at home while the boys will be on the road Friday facing Barnstable at 4 p.m.

Baseball Loses 7-0

The Whaler baseball team lost to the Monomoy Sharks 7-0 Wednesday afternoon and are now 2-12 this season. They will attempt to earn that third win of the year when they travel to face Rising Tide on Friday, May 17 at 3:45 p.m. The Whalers beat Rising Tide 3-1 at home on May 1.

SCHEDULE:

Friday, May 17:

The girls tennis team will celebrate their senior day at 3:45 p.m. at the Backus Lane tennis courts.

The girls lacrosse team will also be at home facing the Dennis-Yarmouth Dolphins at 4 p.m. with senior recognition after the game.

The softball team will be at home facing Rising Tide at 4 p.m.

The boys tennis will be on the road facing Barnstable at 3:30 p.m.

The baseball team will be on the road facing Rising Tide at 3:45 p.m.

Saturday, May 18:

The softball team will host Atlantis Charter school at 10 a.m.

The baseball team will also host Atlantis Charter School for a doubleheader with game one scheduled for 10 a.m. and game two scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

The boys lacrosse team will host Shrewsbury at 11 a.m.

There are currently no games scheduled for Sunday.

For more coverage of all the Nantucket spring sports teams, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or X (Twitter). You can follow photographer Chris Tran by clicking here. You can view the MIAA power rankings here.