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Matt Stuart gem lifts Chelmsford past Wellesley in 1-0 thriller

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Matt Stuart gem lifts Chelmsford past Wellesley in 1-0 thriller


WELLESLEY — In the very back of Chelmsford ace Matt Stuart’s mind is that each of the program’s last three state tournament runs have ended in games he started.

Yet another gem from the senior Gardner-Webb University-commit on Sunday instead has the Lions reaching a new height.

With a complete-game shutout, in which the four-year starter allowed just three hits and two walks with eight strikeouts, Stuart won a true pitchers duel to lift 14th-seeded Chelmsford (17-8) over No. 11 Wellesley, 1-0, in the Div. 1 state quarterfinals to secure the program’s first trip to the Final Four.

Chelmsford players jump and celebrate after clinching a thrilling 1-0 over host Wellesley during a Div. 1 state quarterfinal Sunday. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)

Evan Kobrenski’s RBI double in the fifth inning proved the game-winner, getting just enough against Raiders sophomore Max Boehm (complete game, one run, four hits, four strikeouts) in a 74-pitch gem.

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“It’s amazing, it’s what we’ve been working for all year,” Stuart said. “Every year so far, we’ve been knocked out when I’ve been pitching. I was 0-for-3 coming into this (tournament). So that first game (in the first round) was a big step for me, and to win this one is just amazing.”

“We’re crazy excited,” added Chelmsford head coach Lou DiStasi. “This team has been building for several years. We challenged ourselves with a really tough schedule because we knew that we wanted to compete for the state title. … To get this, into the Final Four, I think it means so much to the town and to the community.”

Batters had trouble all game producing much of any real opportunities against either pitcher, both of whom each set down seven straight batters at one point. And when chances with runners in scoring position came up, the two combined to force a 1-for-7 mark at the plate.

Boehm efficiently forced a slew of routine plays for his defense by pounding the strike zone, while Stuart’s mix of pitches did the same and produced at least one strikeout in every inning but the third.

Chelmsford's Evan Kobrenski slides safely into second base as Wellesley's Will Goggin fields the throw during a close play in Sunday's baseball state quarterfinal. (Libby O'Neill/Boston Herald)
Chelmsford’s Evan Kobrenski slides safely into second base as Wellesley’s Will Goggin fields the throw during a close play in Sunday’s baseball state quarterfinal. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)

“I knew coming in he was a good pitcher,” Stuart said. “But I knew if we got one, I knew I wasn’t going to let up a run. So just get that run, and it was over.”

It wasn’t until the fifth inning that a run was scored, in which Boehm nearly got out of the jam prior. John Latham’s leadoff double was advanced to third on a Keegan Briere (2-for-2) sacrifice bunt. Boehm answered by taking away a squeeze opportunity with a lineout.

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On the next pitch, Kobrenski tucked a grounder just inside the first-base line for a two-out double and the 1-0 lead.

“That’s been our team all year,” DiStasi said. “(Kobrenski) has been unbelievable for two consecutive years. … To get that double for us to win, couldn’t have gone to a better kid.”

That’s the only damage Boehm allowed, but Stuart held up his promise.

Chelmsford's Evan Kobrenski celebrates after being called safe at second base as Wellesley's Will Goggin looks on during Sunday's Div. 1 clash at Sprague Fields. (Libby O'Neill/Boston Herald)
Chelmsford’s Evan Kobrenski celebrates after being called safe at second base as Wellesley’s Will Goggin looks on during Sunday’s Div. 1 clash at Sprague Fields. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)

Will Goggin (2-for-2) and Cole DeFina hit two-out singles to put runners on first and third in the fifth, only for Stuart to force a lineout to shortstop to end the threat. Only one runner reached in the sixth and seventh innings, and it came on a dropped routine fly in the outfield.

Stuart, whopitched well in those three previous state tournament losses, closed the door in the program’s biggest win to date.

“It was like he always does,” said DiStasi. “He pitches every single one of the big games that we ever get. … It’s the way he’s been his entire career. We expect him to do something like that, even though every time he does it, you just smile and say, ‘Wow, you’re an amazement.’ He’s the biggest competitor I’ve ever coached.”

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There’s quite a history with this Chelmsford group, as many of the players were on the Cal Ripken 11-year-old team for DiStasi back in 2019, which qualified for the 2020 World Series as 12-year-old representatives.

COVID cancelled it, and they never had the chance for that glory.

“Our 12-year-old team that was destined to go to the World Series … never had the chance to do it,” DiStasi said. “This might be a nice little alternative, so we’ll take it.”

Wellesley's Will Goggin makes it safely to first base on a close play as Chelmsford's Finn Ramseyer holds the ball. (Libby O'Neill/Boston Herald)
Wellesley’s Will Goggin makes it safely to first base on a close play as Chelmsford’s Finn Ramseyer holds the ball. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)

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Boston, MA

Patriots reportedly trade Keion White to 49ers for two draft picks

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Patriots reportedly trade Keion White to 49ers for two draft picks


New England Patriots

Keion White was a healthy scratch on Sunday in New England’s win over Cleveland.

Keion White is heading to the Bay Area. AP Photo/Stew Milne

The New England Patriots are reportedly moving on from a former second-round pick.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Patriots are trading defensive end Keion White to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick.

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It stands as a largely underwhelming return for a 26-year-old player who recorded five sacks last seasons and was a high draft pick just two years ago. But, the writing was on the wall that White needed a fresh start elsewhere after failing to carve out a role in Mike Vrabel’s defense.

One of New England’s top pass-rushers last season, White fell behind on New England’s depth chart during training camp, with Vrabel’s new defensive scheme and the presence of several interior pass-rushers like Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga, and a healthy Christian Barmore negating White’s top strength when it came to rushing up the gut to put pressure on opposing QBs. 

White was unable to settle into a groove as more of an outside edge rusher, losing out a featured role to the likes of Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson as the preseason carried on. 

White appeared in just five games for New England this season, recording just six total tackles. He was designated as a healthy scratch ahead of Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns. He logged 17 total snaps in Week 7 against the Titans. 

The Georgia Tech product look poised for a breakout season with New England in 2024 after posting four sacks over the first two games of the year. But, he only recorded two sacks over his remaining 36-game run in Foxborough before the team opted to send him out west. 

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Even if White wasn’t a strong fit in Vrabel’s defense, his absence makes New England’s pass-rushing corps a bit thinner. The Patriots’ pass-rushing personnel now features Chaisson, Landry, Anfernee Jennings, Elijah Ponder, and Caleb Murphy on the active roster. 

White will look to recoup his value in the Bay Area, where his pass-rushing capabilities will be utilized to account for the loss of Nick Bosa, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 3. 

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Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.





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Boston, MA

Simons scores 25 points, Celtics earn first victory by beating the Pelicans 122-90

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Simons scores 25 points, Celtics earn first victory by beating the Pelicans 122-90


Anfernee Simons made six 3-pointers and scored 25 points, and the Boston Celtics earned their first victory of the season by pulling away to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 122-90 on Monday night. 

Payton Pritchard added 18 points for the Celtics, who outscored the Pelicans 31-4 in the final 9:14 after they led by just five. 

Simons scored 12 in the fourth quarter for Boston, which had dropped its first three games. Luka Garza had 16 points, while Jaylen Brown and Josh Minott finished with 15 apiece. 

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Jordan Poole scored 22 points for the Pelicans, who played without Zion Williamson and fell to 0-3. Rookie Derik Queen had 12 points. 

Williamson missed his first game of the season with a left foot bone bruise. He had scored 27 points in both of the first two games.
Poole’s 3-pointer cut it to 91-86 early in the fourth quarter before Simons made three 3-pointers and Sam Hauser had two in Boston’s powerful finish. 

Up next 

Celtics: Host Cleveland on Wednesday.
Pelicans: Visit Denver on Wednesday.



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Boston visits New Orleans after Brown’s 41-point game

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Boston visits New Orleans after Brown’s 41-point game


Associated Press

Boston Celtics (0-3, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (0-2, 14th in the Western Conference)

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New Orleans; Monday, 8 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Pelicans -2.5; over/under is 232.5

BOTTOM LINE: Boston visits the New Orleans Pelicans after Jaylen Brown scored 41 points in the Celtics’ 119-113 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

New Orleans went 21-61 overall last season while going 14-27 at home. The Pelicans averaged 8.5 steals, 5.2 blocks and 13.9 turnovers per game last season.

Boston went 61-21 overall a season ago while going 33-8 on the road. The Celtics averaged 116.3 points per game while shooting 46.2% from the field and 36.8% from behind the arc last season.

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INJURIES: Pelicans: Kevon Looney: out (knee), Yves Missi: day to day (ankle), Karlo Matkovic: day to day (back), Dejounte Murray: out (leg).

Celtics: Jayson Tatum: out (achilles).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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