Four Hillies go for a walk
Lost in the wild, 15-10 win over Methuen on Friday was Haverhill’s four through seven hitters. The combination of Tucker Grant (3 for 4, 3 runs, 2 RBI), Jack LiBucha (1 for 4, 2 runs, 2 RBI), Hannon Wipff (1 for 3, RBI) and Brandon Piriano (1 for 3) combined to go 6 for 14 with five RBI, while scoring six runs and walking nine times.
Jimenez making an impact
After missing the first eight games with a knee injury, Lawrence High senior Malvin Jimenez is making his presence felt for the Lancers. Since his return, he is batting .278 with seven RBI and has struck out just three times.
“Inserting him into the lineup has given us senior leadership which we lacked earlier in the season,” said head coach William Carrasco. “Malvin also has a 4.0 GPA and will make any coach at the next level very happy with the person and player that he is.”
On-Base Machine
Methuen High senior captain AJ Guillermo has been a pain in the neck to opposing pitchers, who have had a hard time keeping him off the bases. He ranks in the top three on the Rangers in every offensive category including a .348 average with 16 hits, 12 RBI, 11 runs scored, while he has walked 15 times.
“He’s a true leader who always puts the team above himself. In my opinion, there are two types of kids; ones who play baseball and baseball players. AJ is a baseball player. He eats, sleeps, and breaths the game,” said coach Cam Roper.
Jake Jackson, Mr. Scoops
North Andover High’s Jake Jackson has not only been a big fixture at the plate with his .333 average but has provided Gold Glove type defense at first base.
“He’s one of the all-time defensive greats at first base,” said head coach Todd Dulin. “He is a three-year starter and captain. He is great at picking the ball. He has made just a handful of errors in three years.”
Gendreau finishing strong
Central Catholic senior Jason Gendreau has put together a strong season for the Raiders, which includes a .370 average with 20 hits, while scoring 12 times and walking nine times. He has a .493 on base percentage, and head coach John Sexton added that Gendreau has played “terrific all-around defense in center field.”
Martinez walks it off
Last Friday night, Greater Lawrence rallied to score eight runs in the seventh inning to tie Northeast. The game went into extra innings and junior Ricardo Martinez delivered the walk-off base hit for the incredible 12-11 come from behind victory. He is batting .310 and has swiped nine bases.
“He has also played a terrific center field for us – not committing an error all season,” said head coach Chris Cyr.
Whittier needs two
After getting shut out in back-to-back games by Masconomet and Shawsheen Tech, the Wildcats dropped their record to 6-9. Whittier has since rebounded with wins over Lowell Catholic and Ipswich and now need to win two of the last three games to qualify for the Division 1 state tournament.
Whittier will face Newburyport on Wednesday, followed by the Haverhill tournament scheduled for Friday and Saturday with games against Haverhill and then either Methuen or Bristol-Plymouth.
Gilligan tosses a gem
Andover resident Michael Gilligan tossed a terrific game for Phillips Academy on Saturday against Dexter, the top seed Dexter. He took a shutout into the bottom of the sixth before Dexter rallied for two late runs and held on for the 2-1win. Gilligan struck out seven batters and gave up just three hits over his five innings of work.
On the season, he has a 2-3 record, a 1.65 ERA, which includes an incredible 54 strikeouts in 28.2 innings.
New Hampshire Three Owls emerging
Timberlane (6-7) is hovering around the .500 mark all season and needs a final push in the final six games to qualify for post-season play. Head coach Alex Horgan said that the push will start with three players, Mike Santosuosso, Andrew Pantano and Logan Brandano.
“Mike has done a little bit of everything for us. We ask him to bat in the middle of the lineup, play the outfield and pitch,” said Horgan. “Although he does a good job at all those things, the most impressive thing is his work ethic. He is always one of the hardest working guys on the field.
“Andrew has been the shortstop since midway through freshman year (about 60 games to date) and has been terrific so far this year. Through 13 games he has made difficult play after difficult play. He is smooth as anyone and his growth over the last four years has been critical to our success this season. And Logan has been a pleasant surprise with his fielding at first base.”
Red-hot Coviello
Windham junior Joe Coviello has been on fire the last five games. His batting average has gone from .167 to .265 and his on base percentage has gone from.286 to .375. He blasted a grand slam in the team’s win over Keene. He also possesses terrific speed with 17 stolen bases.
“Defensively, he’s been just as valuable, providing steady leadership and strong support behind the plate for the pitching staff,” said head coach Spencer Bergeron. “He will look to keep the momentum going in a critical four-game week for the Jaguars looking to solidify a spot in the playoffs.”
Eaton takes home Gold
As a member of the Pinkerton Academy baseball team, Cole Eaton serves as a relief pitcher and back-up catcher and has been a terrific leader for the Astros. In school, he has an even bigger impact. Recently he took part in a New Hampshire Skills USA Welding Fabrication competition. Along with two classmates, they took home first place, earning a spot in the National competition to be held in Atlanta, next month.
Eaton also placed second at a NH Welding competition hosted by SL Chasse which was held at Manchester Community College.
“I competed against 30 other high school welding students from around the state and placed second which earned a $3,200 donation to the Pinkerton Welding program. In addition to the donation to the program I was awarded a brand new welder, helmet and a lot of welding tools and supplies,” said Eaton.