RallyNorth.net

Haverhill High found the usual friendly terrain at Haverhill Stadium a bit bumpy, committing four costly errors in a 9-4 non-league loss to Swampscott.

"They put it in play, and we kicked it," said Hillies coach Chip Dunn. "They hit it pretty well, and we didn't do a good job of stopping it, catching it or throwing it. I don't think our guy pitched badly at all."

With all the camouflaged young men running around baseball fields in Swampscott this spring, the casual observer might mistake a high school practice for basic training.

Rest assured, though, the blue-and-green fatigues indicate not infantrymen, but Swampscott's high school hardballers. They're gearing up for an entirely different kind of battle | one for baseball supremacy in the Northeastern Conference.

Last year's record: 16-6 (Lost in Division 3 North quarterfinals)

Coach: T.J. Baril (Third year, 30-14)

Key returnees: Hunter Gordon Jr., P; Peter Kinchley Sr., P/1B; Dan Nellhaus Sr., C; Justin Mitchell Sr., P; Stephan Moran Jr., CF; John Beaulieu Sr., INF/OF; Chris Cameron Jr., OF; Keith Morgan Sr., INF