RallyNorth.net

Amidon plays streak ender

Dan Amidon left Lowell swinging as the senior hurler allowed only two hits and struck out 14 to lead Andover to a 1-0 victory over the nemesis Red Raiders, the defending MVC champs.

The win snapped an eight-game losing streak to Super 8 qualifier Lowell, which last lost to the Golden Warriors 10-2 on May 24, 2010.

Amidon survived a shaky first that included an inning-ending, fly-ball double play and shut down the Raiders on two hits with 14 strikeouts and one walk. While throwing 13 innings and winning both his starts this season, the senior hurler has struck out 29 while surrendering a mere four hits.

Yesterday, Amidon walked the lead-off hitter and surrendered a hit and a hit batter among ther first four he faced, but right-fielder Jake Lansberry killed the threat with a spectacular before throwing out the potential lead run at the plate.

After that, it was all Amidon, who faced 22 batters, allowing only one more baserunner on a fourth-inning, infield single.

Lansberry also had a fielder's choice in the second that drove in Quinn McCarthy, who had doubled.

During the losing streak to Lowell, Andover lost four one-run games and three by two while being outscored by a combined 10 runs in the final seven games of the skein.

"We're feeling really good. We haven't had a home game, we've been on the road the whole season, but the season's gone our way.

"The kids' confidence is through the roof, and looking forward to a big week against three MVC opponents."