Baseball
Ryan Kemp's infield hit scored Pat Noone in the bottom of the seventh to give Central Catholic a 15-14 win over Lowell and a share of the Merrimack Valley Conference title. Kemp had a huge day in the Raiders' MVC finale, going 4 for 5 with three RBIs and two runs scored.
The Raiders, who fought back from 5-2, 10-4 and 14-10 down, got big performances from Ross Sarmento (2 for 3, RBI double) and Andrew Guyer (2 for 5, 3 RBIs).
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After being held hitless through seven innings, pitcher Doug Schultz and Pinkerton were finally rewarded with a 1-0, eight-inning triumph over Merrimack. Eighth hitter T.J. Souhlaris led off with a walk and Brandon Bell followed with a double to left-center field to win the game for the Astros (10-6). Schultz went the distance, scattering nine hits and fanning six.
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Shawsheen defeated Whittier 5-4. The Wildcats' defense kept them in it. Damian Colman made a diving stop at third base and right fielder Dillon Ryan threw a runner out at the plate in the seventh.
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Lawrence edged Dracut 5-4. Juan Ventura's sharp ground ball to third base scored Luis Sosa in the bottom of the seventh to give the Lancers the win. Sosa went 1 for 4 with an RBI triple. Mike Calzetta kept the Lancers in it, going seven innings and allowing four runs, three of which were earned.
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Londonderry steamrolled Concord, 8-1. Kyle Neverman, Adam Veino and Justin Campo each had two hits.
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Salem put Exeter on the ropes early, as a five-run second inning led to a 9-2 blowout. Greg Bates delivered a two-run double and Matt Hardy a two-run single in the second for the Blue Devils (15-3), helping hurler Eric Perrault (complete game five-hitter with nine strikeouts) get his fifth win in as many decisions.
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After seeing a three-run lead disappear in the sixth inning, Jeremy Meyer launched a dramatic three-run homer in the top of the seventh to give Sanborn a 9-6 win over Somersworth. Logan Johnson shined at the No. 9 spot in the order, providing three hits and a pair of RBIs for the Indians.
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Calvary Christian fell to Sunapee 13-3. Adam DiPippo had two hits, a steal and an RBI to lead Calvary.
Softball
Central hammers Methuen; Andover wins thriller
Central Catholic pasted Methuen 15-0 in five innings. Lindsay Martin drilled an run-scoring double and Lisa Policelli had an RBI single in Central's six-run second inning. Tina Eringis had the day's monster blast, a grand slam as part of a nine-run, fourth-inning uprising.
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Tricia Martin led off the ninth inning with a triple, then scored on Alex Strock's grounder to give Andover a 2-1 win over Dracut. Winning pitcher Kathleen Cheney scattered four hits over nine innings of work.
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Salem scored all of its runs in the fifth inning in a 5-0 win over Exeter. Freshman Jade Morrison's bases-loaded single got things rolling with Katie Bettencourt (two-run single) and Stephanie Cabral (RBI single) following with clutch hits. Alex Gallant spun a three-hitter with 12 strikeouts in her second start after returning from an injury for the Blue Devils (14-3).
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Even after allowing four unearned runs, Pentucket had a upset victory over Amesbury in its grasp. But further miscues created two more unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and gave the Indians an 8-7 win. Tyne Darke had three hits, three RBIs and two runs scored and also provided a pair of great catches in right field. Julianne Meehan (four strikeouts) battled on the mound to keep Pentucket in it.
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Concord defeated Londonderry 3-1. Andrea Ouellette went 2 for 3 and pitched well for the Lancers, striking out seven.
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Pinkerton fell to Merrimack 6-2. Aimee Walters ripped a two-run single in the loss.
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Presentation of Mary used a five-run eighth inning to pull away from Lynn Tech, 14-9. Catherine George belted a three-run triple in the frame to blow it open. Chris Byron picked up the win and also drove in a run.
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Katie Latham slugged two home runs to lead Sanborn over Somersworth, 2-0. Stacy Blades pitched a three-hitter for the Indians.
Boys Tennis
Heath, Andover roll
Andover beat Chelmsford for the second time this season — the Lions only two defeats this spring. Eric Heath provided the day's highlight match, bouncing back from a flat second set to prevail 7-5 in the third. Now 12-0, the Golden Warriors clinched at least a tie for the MVC crown with two conference matches remaining.
Girls Tennis
Dynamic duo paces Knights
North Andover inched closer to the .500 mark with a 4-1 non-league win over Ipswich. The first doubles tandem of Frannie McFall and Brianne Kumar rebounded from a tough start to post a three-set victory.
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Methuen just clinched its victory over Tewksbury before the rains arrived, prevailing 3-0. Strong play from singles performers Julie Platz and Kim Wentworth powered the Rangers to victory.
Boys Lacrosse
O'Connor pulls out all the stops
Alex Blane and Steve Collura scored two goals each to lead North Andover over Reading, 6-5. Brien O'Connor played well in goal, making 16 saves. Ross Marchegiani led a strong defensive effort.
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Once Pentucket started winning faceoffs, its offense sprung to life in a 13-8 upset of Wilmington. Alex Connolly led a balanced attack with three goals while Cam Spofford, Matt Fiore and Alex Roberts played great defense.
Girls Lacrosse
Sullivan, Warriors clinch title; Keating scores 8 goals
Andover squeaked by Chelmsford 12-10 to capture its fourth straight Merrimack Valley Conference title. The Golden Warriors, who have won the league in all four years of its existence, came back from a 10-8 deficit with four minutes remaining.
Explosive junior Heather Sullivan scored four goals, Kelly Driscoll, Cat Gross and Ilana Cohen scored two goals each and Katelyn Caro chipped in a goal and an assist.
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Eight goals from Kyleigh Keating helped Salem topple Manchester Central, 18-8. Strong defense keyed by Tatum and Taylor Dyer held Central to just three first-half goals.
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Phillips rebounded from a slow start to pull out a 17-7 victory over Lawrence Academy. Jamie Harisiades led the Big Blue with five goals.
Volleyball
Cuesta helps spike Dracut
Lawrence had no trouble with winless Dracut 25-14, 25-14, 25-19. Francesco Cuesta had 11 kills for the Lancers while Luis Castillo added 6 kills and 7 blocks.
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Andover swept Lowell 25-6, 20-25, 25-19, 25-18. Gary Hinds finished with 21 kills, Josh Bruno had eight kills and Garrett Kent seven kills.
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Luke Frick of North Andover's 12 kills helped St. John's nearly upset MVC champion Chelmsford. The Lions, however, prevailed by taking Game 5 15-12. Tim Lynch of Andover also shined in defeat.
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The Merrimack Valley Conference Volleyball Night will be Monday at Chelmsford High. Here is the schedule:
4 p.m. — Billerica vs. Dracut; 5:15 p.m. — Haverhill vs. Andover and Methuen vs. Lowell; 6:30 p.m. Chelmsford vs. Lawrence and St. John's vs. Central Catholic.
After the games, the all-league awards will be announced.
College
NECC runners honored
The Northern Essex track team was honored at the school's awards ceremony for having the high team GPA, a 3.17. Athletes with a 3.4 were recognized by the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 3 Coaches Association with Academic All-America status. They were Doug Bailey, Sean Dolan, Stephanie Naffah, Carlos Olivera and Laura Rudd. Naffah was named NECC's Female athlete of the Year.
