RallyNorth.net

 Touching all the BasesHector Longo  NORTH ANDOVER — As unsuspecting sophomore Dustin Hunt readied to meet the postgame media, dastardly Andover High senior Connor Clancy lurked in the shadows, ready to pounce with the ceremonial, celebratory Gatorade bucket.Clancy lurched, the sophomore (and the reporter) flinched and all enjoyed a chuckle at Hunt's expense when the bucket came up empty.Yeah, the elder set in Warrior Gold-and-Blue understands what this group of special sophs could mean to the reigning MVC large tri-champs.Hunt wasn't the first sophomore to impact on the Warriors' 2011 baseball season in the opening-day 11-8 win over North Andover, the top-rated Division 2 team in Eastern Mass.The righthander was just the loudest. His spotless, one-hit, four-inning relief stint, in which Hunt struck out three and walked just one, turned the tide in the clash of non-league rivals.“I’ve worked hard, and I’ve always wanted to pitch on varsity, but I wasn’t even expecting to pitch today,” said Hunt. “It was definitely my first big moment.”Coming into yesterday's opener, Hunt's Andover High athletic resume included last spring on the freshmen team and this winter season hitting the hardwood, with the Warrior JVs.So how did he make the giant leap in such a short time?“I worked hard, got stronger in the offseason, got the curve ball and change-up going,” he said.Before the game, second-year coach Dan Grams noted that "four or five sophomores may contribute before the season is over."Did he mean season or just the opener?"Like I said (in the preview), I wasn't too sure what we had," said Grams.What Grams has is an already-strong lineup, energized by some free-swinging newcomers.Hunt's classmate Andrew Deloury stepped into the fray yesterday, hitting in the three hole — a spot usually reserved for a team's top bat. Deloury's second-inning two-run double might have been the hardest ball hit yesterday off Columbia-bound lefty Mike Weisman.A few spots down in the seven hole, another sophomore, designated hitter Ryan Halloran ignited the four-run seventh-inning rally when he was hit be a pitch. He yielded to speedster Cam Farnham, who later raced home for the lead run.Considering previous coach Ken Maglio won 70 percent of his games in 18 seasons, and before that Dave Bettencourt put up a pair of state titles, Andover High has been the dominant force in MVC baseball over the last 20-plus years, challenged really only at times by Central Catholic.You have to wonder if this group is one the eve of another upswing.“We have a great team, hopefully we can do some great things,” said Hunt.  “Deloury is awesome. Halloran has always been an unbelievable hitter. Farnham is so fast, no one can catch him. I feel when we’re all seniors, we might go places.”Hunt and these 2011 Warriors just might shorten that wait.