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Freshman Dom Keegan was 3 for 3 including a grand slam blast over the center field wall, part of a six-run fourth inning for Central Catholic, which rolled over Sandwich 10-4. Keegan had six RBIs for the game.

Lawrence scored six runs in the top of the seventh and in the bottom of the seventh Maikel Guerrero stranded Central Catholic runners on first and second with back to back strikeouts to secure an exciting 9-8 Lancer win.

METHUEN — Neither smoke nor mirrors have been involved with Central Catholic's unexpectedly strong season start. A sizzling offense, however, has proven decisive.

Entering the year with limited varsity experience, the Raiders continued their torrid hitting with yesterday's 6-0 MVC victory over Methuen. The win was the third in four outings for a team that won only eight last year after a 2-7 start.

After pounding 11 hits with three doubles against the Rangers, the Raiders are hitting a robust .379 (47 for 124) with RBI accounting for 31 of their 34 runs. Six of the nine batters in yesterday's lineup have at least five hits. Impressive for a squad of returning players that accumulated fewer than 40 varsity at bats last year.

"I didn't have any expectations other than the fact that they were committed to changing their aggressiveness at the plate," Central coach Marc Pelletier said. "And I think you're seeing an aggressive team.

"But (the successful hitting) doesn't just happen. It's a lot of (batting practice) and an awful lot of coaching in terms of approach. It's not an accident that certain players are driving the ball around."

Evan Glew continued his terrific start to the season, striking out 11 in a complete-game effort, allowing just five hits as North Andover downed Central Catholic 4-1.