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Hillies survive Whittier in defensive gem

In the end, Haverhill prevailed in its intra-city duel with Whittier, 2-1, but only by the closest of margins.

The host Wildcats played a superb defensive game, highlighted by shortstop A.J. DeRoche, and left the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh.

"It was a good ball game and we don't have any complaints," said Whittier coach Joe Boland. "A.J. really made some great plays | two deep in the hole and a couple on slow rollers where he had to come in. They were big-time plays."

Moreover, senior Austin Brodie was superb on the mound for the Wildcats (4-4), allowing just one earned run on five hits without walking a batter. Finally, sophomore Billy Lafferty smacked three hits and had the team's RBI.

In the end, however, Haverhill starter Taylor Robinson was more clutch and was the recipient of the winning run in the second inning on an RBI double by Josh Chasse.

Defensively, Haverhill also had its defensive heroes. Sean Hayden made a diving stop and threw out a runner in the seventh to save a run and catcher Ronnie Rosario picked off a runner at first to stifle a Whittier rally and also threw out another runner at second base.

"It was actually a good game for both teams," said Haverhill coach Chip Dunn.