HAVERHILL – Coach Alberto Abreu will be the first to admit that things have not gone Lawrence High’s way in the past few years.
But, on Friday night, trailing by a run with just two outs left, the Lancers did something they haven’t done since that 2018 season — begin a season with a 2-0 record.
With newcomer Cristian Reynoso excelling on the mound, and some timely hitting late, Lawrence scored a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Haverhill High at Haverhill Stadium.
“These guys just believe in each other each and every day,” said Abreu. “Every player has the energy, the camaraderie, since they’ve been working together. We just believe in each other.”
Haverhill jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second, after captain Jack Kelleher scored on a balk.
For a while, it seemed as if things would finish that way, before Lancers No. 9 hitter Jose David tied things up at 1-1 in the top of the fifth, after a wild throw back to third base.
Despite Lawrence tying it up, Haverhill wasn’t going anywhere. The Hillies took the lead in the bottom of the sixth, after Fitchburg State commit Zach Hurrell’s ground out to second base scored Hannon Wipff.
The score silenced the Lawrence dugout, and with Haverhill’s Joe Bednarek dealing on the mound through 6 1/3 innings, it seemed as if a Lancers comeback would fall just short.
But, after Bednarek left the game, leadoff hitter Jhon Hidalgo was able to drive home David with the tying run, after an error at second base.
After David Manon was hit by a pitch, the Lancers had bases loaded, then cleanup hitter Malvin Jimenez drove in Hidalgo with a sacrifice fly, giving Lawrence a 3-2 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh.
David was then sent to the mound and delivered a 1-2-3 inning, to snatch victory from Haverhill’s hands.
“To begin this year (so strong), as it goes on, we are going to continue to complete our goals,” said David through translation after the game. “Working as a team, we are going to continue to win.”
Added Abreu: “We have energy, and we have love, that’s what matters most. We never give up, we keep persevering, I’m proud of these boys. Having the Lawrence community standing out at these games, it’s big for our players. It shows they are supported, and they deserve everything that comes their way.”
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