RallyNorth.net

Martin, Central make amends

Friday, May, 09 By Dave Dyer
Staff writer

METHUEN | This one was special for Central Catholic's Lindsay Martin.

The senior from Methuen enjoys defeating her hometown team anyway but, in wake of last year, last night's 2-1 victory at Burnham Road Field was doubly pleasing.

"After last year, when we lost to them in extra innings here, this is a big step for us," said the Raider center fielder. "I still remember that game really well. ... We still talk about it."

In a nifty pitching duel between a pair of juniors, Central's Liz Habib and Methuen's Sarra Bergeron, Martin was one key to the Raiders' win.

Trailing 1-0 in the fourth, Martin led off with a double to right-center. Chelsey Guselli sacrificed her to third and Monique Gosselin scored her on a sacrifice fly. On that play, Methuen right fielder Stephanie Chaisson made a tremendous catch despite colliding with center fielder Brittany Valliere.

Martin led off the sixth by drawing a walk, went to second on another Guselli sacrifice bunt, went to third on a Gosselin grounder and scored on a two-out infield error.

"It's nice when you have your 1-2-3 batters back," said Central coach Stacy Ciccolo. "I think they're all hitting over .400 and they give you a nice core to build on."

Other than Martin's double, Central only managed two other hits off Bergeron, a single from Erin Swarbrick and a double from Carla Borrelli. But the way the Raiders were playing defense behind Habib (3-hitter, 3 strikeouts, 3 walks), they didn't need more.

The Raiders (9-4) played errorless ball and had several fine plays, including two by Borrelli at first base.

"I really thought that was the difference in the game," said Ciccolo. "Our defense was really solid."

Methuen scored its only run in the second inning. Bergeron led off with a walk, pinch-runner Abbey Carbonneau was sacrificed to second by Talon Barron, went to third on a wild pitch and | after a walk to Nicole Mason | scored on a double steal.

The Rangers (9-4) left two runners on base in both the first and third innings and seemed primed for a big inning in the fifth when leadoff batter Brittany Valliere walked, but a line-drive double play spoiled the opportunity.

"We usually have a good game with them and this was another," said Methuen coach Jason Smith. "We just didn't get the timely hit. But the good thing is we get them again next week (Friday at Central)."