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Haverhill outlasts Lawrence

Sunday, April, 20 By Hector Longo
Staff writer

They've overcome shortstop Bobby Shirling's tender shoulder, a sun-blinded high pop that landed squarely in the mouth of second baseman Steve Lesiczka and more early-season errors than coach Chip Dunn would ever care to rehash.

A quarter into the season, though, Haverhill High finds itself at 3-2 and tied for first in the Merrimack Valley Conference small school division with Tewksbury at 2-1.

The Hillies landed there yesterday, riding a five-hitter from Taylor Robinson to beat Lawrence, 3-1.

"Once we saw that Tewksbury lost, we knew we had the opportunity to get back in it," said Robinson, who bounced back from his first career loss by striking out four and walking none.

Robinson had to be that good as Lancer sophomore Mike Calzetta matched him nearly pitch for pitch in a 90-minute duel.

"I felt like I was in a rhythm from the start, and offensively, we're doing just enough to get by," said Robinson.

The Hillies got two in the second when Ronny Rosario's single turned into a triple, thanks to an outfield error. Peter Byron's sacrifice fly plated him.

Sean Hayden then tripled to the gap, scoring when a two-out grounder to third was kicked away.

Freshman Brandon Bretton made it 3-0 Hillies when he reached on an error, stole second, moved to third on the bad throw and then raced home on a Josh Chasse sacrifice fly.

Only one of the runs was earned against Calzetta, who fanned three without a walk in six innings of three-hit ball.

Lawrence picked up an unearned run of its own in the sixth when Devin Montanez doubled down the line in left, moved to third on an error and sped home on a wild pitch.

Robinson shut the door in the sixth and seventh, stranding three Lancers in the process.