RallyNorth.net

AANORTH ANDOVER — With the state tournament on the horizon, North Andover needed to find some offense. If yesterday was indication, the search might be over.

After being held to two runs or fewer in five of their past seven games, the Scarlet Knights erupted with a first-inning five spot before running past Billerica 7-3 in the consolation game of the North Andover Invitational tournament.

Kayla Maloney and Meg Donegan combined on a one-hitter  their sixth straight combined shutout  as Central Catholic shut out Billerica 5-0. Lauren Lesiczka had a two-run homer for the Raiders (17-1).

Carissa Cicolini pitched seven innings, giving up just one earned run on five hits to lead Methuen to a 2-1 victory over Billerica at home yesterday. Cicolini, a junior, is in her first year as a full-time varsity player after making some spot starts last year. "She has done a heck of a job," Methuen coach Jason Smith said. Cicolini struck out six Billerica batters and walked two. The only run she gave up came in the seventh inning when she allowed a solo home run with one out. The junior, however, recovered nicely, getting a ground out and strike out to end the game. "She had a lot of movement on her pitches," Smith said. "She doesn't rely on her fastball. She relies on her movement and she had that working tonight." Methuen scored took a 2-0 lead in the third. Three singles to start the frame loaded the bases. Becca Armstrong then came to bat and stroked an RBI single to center. "Armstrong has been an RBI machine all year," Smith said. "With runners in scoring position in her up that's her job and she knows what to do." Paige Fleming then scored the second run on a sacrifice fly to center. Methuen (9-8) needs just one more win to qualify for the state tourney.

Meg Donegan and Kayla Maloney combined for a one-hitter as Central Catholic bested Billerica 4-0.