HAVERHILL â A complete game, nine-strikeout performance from Haverhill’s Jack Kelleher and a huge three-hit, three RBI performance from left fielder Brooks Keefe, of Marblehead, has the No. 7 ranked Northern Essex Community College baseball team one win away from a fifth straight appearance in the NJCAA World Series.
The Knights picked up their 30th win of the season by a 4-2 final score.
Game two of the best of three series will take place Sunday at 11 a.m. at Haverhill Stadium, a deciding third game would follow if needed 30 minutes after the conclusion of game two.
Kelleher would go the distance on the mound for the second straight post-season start as he allowed a pair of unearned runs in the second inning issuing one walk and four hits with the aforementioned nine Kâs. He threw 111 pitches, 79 of which went for strikes.
After Monroe plated two unearned runs in the top of the second inning, the Knights immediately responded with three, two out runs in the bottom half of the inning. Kade Masselli, of New Gloucester, Maine, drew a two-out walk and advanced to third when Boston’s Marbel Soriano doubled to center.
One batter later the score would be tied as Keefe ripped a lined drive back up the middle that deflected off the Monroe pitcher and into center field.
Josh Jones, of Hampstead, N.H., then put the ball in play and reached on a throwing error that would allow Keefe to plate the go ahead run.
NECC would get an insurance run in the fourth. Owen Derocher, of Berkely, and Maselli led the inning off with back-to-back singles.
Derocher would score on a one out single to right field by Keefe. Looking to try and extend the lead Maselli was thrown out at the plate on a fields choice double play from Monroe.
The District Champion will advance to the NJCAA Div. 3 World Series scheduled to begin on May 23 at TVA Credit Union Ballpark in Johnson City, Tenn.