Knights bidding for history today
Win today and the Walsh boys, Connor and Brandon, can close the book on all their father's stories.
They have heard all about his North Andover teams reaching the North sectional finals in 1982 and 1983.
Today, high noon at LeLacheur Field in Lowell, the Walshes have the opportunity to take it one step farther when No. 2 North Andover tangles with No. 4 Reading in the Division 2 North title game.
"My dad says he made it this far," said Connor, a junior third baseman. "We're looking to take it a step further (today) where nobody else from North Andover High has gone, and the goal is a state title."
The Walsh's dad Mike did indeed make a pair of North finals, losing to future first-round pick Dennis Livingston and North Reading in 1982 and Stoneham in 1983.
Of course, playing at LeLacheur, home of the Lowell Spinners, with a title on the line is more than enough inspiration for the 2009 Knights, who send senior right-hander Aaron Brunette (3-2, 1.63 ERA, 51 Ks in 47.1 innings) to the hill against the Rockets.
"The seventh-inning comebacks have been fun, but I wouldn't mind a quick start,'' said Connor, referring to his brother's dramatic seventh-inning walkoff hits in the last two rounds. "Playing at LeLacheur is going to be sick."
The showdown is the first of what stands to be a landmark day in the region.
After North Andover and Reading, it will be Georgetown, sending Andrew Sinkiewicz to the mound, to face Newburyport at 3 p.m.
The teams have met twice this year, with the Clippers taking the regular-season battle and Georgetown claiming the Spofford Tourney championship on Memorial Day with a 7-6 victory.
Sinkiewicz has gone the distance in his last four starts, all wins, allowing only six earned runs on 14 hits with 39 strikeouts in that span.
Finally at 6 p.m., St. John's Prep, led by Andover's Mike Yastrzemski and Methuen's Chris Carmain, shoots for the Division 1 crown against Gloucester.
Caiazzo, Owls enjoy the ride
It is quarterfinal Saturday in baseball and softball in the Granite State.
Timberlane senior Matt Caiazzo is cherishing every pitch.
A top receiver on the Owls football squad, Caiazzo would love to end his athletic career with a title. This would be quite an upset as the Owls are taking on No. 1 Trinity today.
"It's not desperation, but yeah, it feels good to keep playing," said Caiazzo, who helped the No. 9 Owls win their first postseason game in 14 years on Thursday. "Especially after losing in football. This is like a last hurrah for me."
Timberlane will send staff ace P.J. Singster to the Gill Stadium mound.
Down I-93 a bit, No. 2 Londonderry will host 10th-seeded Manchester Central at 4 p.m. The quarterfinal winners will advance to Tuesday night's semis at Holman Stadium.
Three local contenders will see action in the Class l softball quarterfinals as well at 4 p.m.
Salem, seeded fifth, takes the ride to the Seacoast for a battle with No. 4 Dover. The Green Wave trimmed the Blue Devils late in the season, 2-1.
Sixth-seeded Pinkerton has a slightly shorter commute, just down Route 102, as the Astros collide with No. 3 Londonderry.
In opening round action, Salem's Nora Galvin, Pinkerton's Cara Chooljian and Londonderry's Theresa Zwart all threw shutouts.
Sanborn will take on Conant, a club the Indians waxed 14-4 a couple weeks ago.
Lacrosse heats up
Girls lacrosse takes center stage today with Pinkerton and Londonderry competing in Division 1 semifinal action at Southern New Hampshire University. If they both win, they'll meet for the title at SNHU Tuesday night.
On the boys' side, Timberlane (Division 2) and Pelham (Division 3) also could punch their tickets to the title game with wins today.
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