RallyNorth.net

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."

Jacob Wallace was brilliant in relief (3 innings, 0 runs, 6 Ks) and Methuen beat Lowell, 5-3, for its first win of the young season. Josh Martinez and Danny Bonnano cracked back-to-back RBI doubles in the four-run third.

Joe Carter pitched 5.1 innings of one-run ball and Haverhill broke a 1-1 tie with four runs in the fifth en route to a 5-1 win over Methuen. Sean Doherty had two hits, a run and an RBI.