RallyNorth.net

Farrell, Andover top Lawrence in 8 innings

Sunday, May, 25 By Hector Longo
Staff writer

Ken Maglio had no qualms about bringing his ace John Farrell back on three days rest. The junior right-hander added toughness and grit to his already loaded pitching repertoire, gutting out a 10-6, eight-inning decision over Lawrence High in last night's second Lawrence Invitational Tournament semifinal.

Tonight at 7 p.m., it's repeat of last year's championship game as the Warriors and Tewksbury collide here at the South Lawrence East Field.

"My arm felt fine, and I just kept throwing," said Farrell, who pitched all eight innings, improving to 5-1 in an eight-hitter with a walk and 10 strikeouts. "Even now, it feels just fine."

Nothing came easy for the Warriors last as scrappy Lawrence, now 10-9, relentlessly pressured at every opportunity.

Harvey Blanco and Jose Sandoval had run-scoring hits when Lawrence built a 3-1 lead in the first.

John Hennessy responded with a two-run double for Andover, and Sam Clark roped the second of his three RBI hits on the night to put the Warriors right back on top at 4-3.

The teams then chipped away, back and forth, with Lancer starter Ruddy Espinal settling in nicely.

Blanco and Mike Calzetta each scored single runs for the Lancers in the fourth and sixth, setting up a wild seventh.

Down 5-4, the Warriors, Clark answered the call again, driving in John Hennessy who had walked. An out later, Clark raced home for the lead on Mike Morander's gap double.

"We looked a little sloppy in the early going, but we hung together and got the timely hits," said Clark.

Lawrence had one final gasp in the seventh. Jose Paulino doubled and scored when Jovany Fernandez was misplayed.

The Lancers couldn't move in for the kill, though, something Andover does so well and did again last night in the eighth.

Espinal final showed some fatigue and surrendered what proved to be the winning run on three straight walks and a hit batter.

Zach Burdeau's infield hit and an errant throw added three more insurance runs, which Farrell wouldn't need.

"They fought all night and played a great game," said Farrell of the Lancers.

"We had to find a way to keep our intensity up."

Intensity shouldn't be a problem for the Warriors tonight.

Maglio will send senior Ryan Walsh (3-1) to the mound tonight as the Warrior bats face a mighty challenge in UConn-bound senior righty Scott Oberg, the reigning Merrimack Valley Conference Player of the Year.

Tewksbury bludgeoned the Warriors in the earlier meeting this year, 12-0. The Redmen also took last years Lawrence Invitational in a classic final with the Warriors.

"I should be a challenge, we're not going to back down," said Clark. "We've come a long way since (the 12-0 loss). We're a much better team now. We're ready to finish up the season strong and head to the state tournament with a bunch of wins in a row."