RallyNorth.net

METHUEN - Zak Adamopoulos blitzed his way to a 5-1 junior season on the mound with plenty of help from his friends. Yesterday in the Merrimack Valley Conference opener, the Central Catholic senior sent the message to his mates and the rest of the league that this time around he's prepared to do his share of the heavy lifting. Adamopoulos, working in all his pitches, spun six innings of four-hit ball, handcuffing Methuen in a 7-2 Raider win at Potter's Field. "They make it easy," said Adamopoulos of his mates, who provided 9.8 runs a game in his five victories. "I'm always pitching with the lead and they're making all the plays behind me." Facing the minimum 12 hitters over the first four innings, Adamopoulos gave the Raiders ample time to build an advantage. Twice, he put a runner on - first by hitting leadoff man Pat Lucey and then on Ranger Cal Carroll's clean single. Each was erased on double-plays. Adamopoulos fanned five and walked a pair, yielding to Billy Wolfendale, who blazed through a 1-2-3 seventh. Marc Crowley's two-run blast was followed up by a Pat Noone two-run single as Central grabbed a 4-0 lead. Scalding Tim Wheeler (6 for 8 in two games) later chipped in a two-run single. Isaac Rivera pitched better than his line of 7 innings, 4 earned runs on 10 hits indicated. Carroll had two of the four Methuen hits. Central played again without all-league catcher Andrew Guyer, who appears to be out indefinitely now with a back injury. The Raiders still impressed in the MVC opener, after a tough loss to Catholic Memorial. "I wouldn't call us the 'Big, Bad Raiders,' just yet, but I think we're going to be very dangerous," said Adamopoulos. "We have two non-seniors out there on the field, and our rotation and relievers are all back. It's nice to know you're sending a guy out there every day who can win a game for you."

One preseason baseball poll had Catholic Memorial rated No. 2 in EMass Division 1.
Marc Pelletier begs to differ.
"That's the No. 1 team in the state," stated the coach after his Central Raiders battled hard but fell to CM, 9-6, yesterday. "It was our fifth time outside, and they've played nine times (including scrimmages). We didn't pitch like we needed to, but I definitely see some bright side."
Timmy Wheeler had a monster day at the plate, with three hits and four RBIs. Matt Pelletier and Robbie Taylor added two hits each.