RallyNorth.net

Wed, May 11, 2016 03:30 PM @ Central Catholic

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Final
Andover	5	0	0	0	2	0	0	7
Central Catholic	1	0	0	7	0	0	0	8

Central beats Andover in play at plate

LAWRENCE — After allowing five runs in the top of the first inning, Central Catholic baseball roared back with seven runs in the fourth and before holding on for a thrilling 8-7 win, clinching the win by throwing out the tying run at the plate to end the game.

The late drama began in the top of the seventh when Andover's Zach Marcus struck out but then reached first on a dropped third strike. Marcus moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt and then reached third on a passed ball to Dan Gemmell, putting the tying run on third with one out.

Central pitcher Greg Marggraf caught a tough break when a foul popup later in the at bat was dropped, but he came back with a big strikeout to send down Gemmell. Then, with Jake Lansberry at the plate, a Marggraf curveball in the dirt got past catcher Dom Keegan, but the freshman was able to collect it and throw out Marcus at the plate to preserve the dramatic win.

"I've seen games decided by plays at the plate before, but I've never been a part of one," said Central coach Marc Pelletier. "A game like this, the kids will remember this 25 years from now."

After allowing five runs in the first, Central picked one back up in the bottom of the first and then second seven on eighth hits in the fourth. Andover got two back in the fifth but couldn't complete the comeback.

Central (11-4) has qualified for state tournament and will face North Attleboro on Saturday. Andover (5-8) will face Chelmsford on Friday.