PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth High School varsity baseball team started its season in fine fashion Monday, winning a home opener against Mt. Hope by a score of 8-3. 

The Patriots also beat the Huskies the last time they played them, in April 2023. 

Patriots shortstop John Mass had a great day at the plate, going four for four with two RBI and crossing the plate three times. Nick Spaner had two hits and three RBI and walked twice and scored a run.

Oliver Rey also had two hits and an RBI and scored a run. He also pitched the last two innings in relief, striking out four and giving up two hits.

Starting pitcher Cameron Ruggieri got the win, allowing two earned runs on four hits over five innings. He struck out five and walked two.

Portsmouth is scheduled to travel to Lincoln on Wednesday. Lincoln and Portsmouth are at an even 3-3 over their past six head-to-heads. 

The Patriots will host La Salle Academy at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, and then Cumberland at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9. The team hits the road for a 5 p.m. game against Coventry on Thursday, April 11.