Malden Catholic unleashed a five-run outburst in the bottom of the seventh inning, climaxed by a pinch-hit RBI single by Shawn Kelly, to put a dramatic end to the 31-game win streak of Plymouth North, 7-6.
Malden Catholic, predicted to be a top preseason contender for the Division 1 state crown, started fast but then struggled in the middle innings in the non-conference encounter against the 2008 Division 2 state champions, a favorite in the division again.
"We needed a win, period," said Lancer head coach Steve Freker of a victory improving their record to 3-3 after loses by a total of five runs. "But to do it against such a good team that has had a history of success and is one of the best teams in the state means much more."
Jeff Agnew took over on the mound in the second inning after the Lancers got to lefty starter Tom McInnis with three hits and two runs. Agnew came on to strike out two Lancers to leave two baserunners stranded and yield only three hits in 4 2/3 innings.
But the Lancers (eight men left on base) finally strung together clutch hits in the seventh. Sean Glabicky and Dario Pizzano walked and then Justin Sencabaugh blasted his second double of the day to drive in two more runs. Dan Tallent relieved Agnew but Tyler McVicar singled in a run and Matt Muldoon reached on an error, tying the score.
Kelly then lofted a fly ball over the head of right fielder Doug Macaferry for the deciding run.
Plymouth North broke through in the third on a 340-foot solo roundtripper by Jamison Wood that just cleared the fence in dead center.
In a three-run fourth inning, Matt Walsh reached base on an error and Higgins singled before Ed Reake tripled to left field to drive in two more runs. Reake then crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Macaferry.
In the fourth after a McInnis double, Matt Walsh delivered an RBI single. Agnew walked to lead off the fifth and later scored on a wild pitch to inflate the lead to 6-2.
Anthony Carbone, the Lancer's freshman third baseman, also had a solid performance with three of his five assists coming in in the final inning to quell any Plymouth North rally.
"They are a tough team and made a great comeback but we have to learn how to close out these games if we are going to advance very far this season," Eagles head coach Dwayne Follette said.
Around the Bay State
* Greg Donahue and Chris Carmain combined for six hits and seven RBI for St. John's Prep (5-1) in a 15-3 thumping of Methuen.
* First baseman Jason Sementelli was 3-for-4 and had three RBI, including a two-run single and solo homer as Westwood (6-0) continued its torrid hitting with a 11-3 win over previously unbeaten Dover-Sherborn (5-1).
* Garrett Moore had three hits and two RBI and Matt Tatkow and Billy Bereszniewicz each had two hits and a RBI to pace Lincoln-Sudbury (4-0) past Westford Academy.
* Amherst Regional lefthander Kevin Ziomek pitched a no-hitter while striking out 12 and contributed at the plate with a two-run double in a 4-0 win over Chicopee.
* Unbeaten Westfield (5-0) relied on the arm of Connor McMahon, who pitched a four-hitter and struck out 10 and the bat of Alec Fouche (two hits and three RBI) in a 10-5 victory over West Springfield.
* In a game between Springfield squads, sophomore pitcher Robert DeCosmo of unbeaten Cathedral (5-0) scattered four hits, struck out 14 and walked four in a 6-2 triumph over Central. Dan Fenton was the leading batter for the three hits and an RBI.
