RallyNorth.net

Six run sixth helps Masco over North Andover

Tuesday, June, 03 By Hector Longo
Staff writer

North Andover watched a 4-3 lead become a 9-4 deficit in just a few swings in the sixth inning and fell 9-6 to Masconomet in the Division 2 North quarterfinals.

"In the tournament, you have to avoid the big inning," said North Andover coach Todd Dulin, whose Cape Ann League large quad-champs finish up at 16-6, with three of those losses to Masco.

The Knights found themselves down almost immediately when Masco's Chris Splinter took advantage of North Andover's new portable fence by belting a two-run homer to right.

Connor Walsh answered in the first with an RBI triple in the bottom of the inning, plating Gary Lunetta, who had singled, before North Andover took the lead with three more in the second.

Three straight walks loaded the bases. A Ryan Sifferlen sac fly and two straight infield errors plated the runs, and North Andover held the lead until the Chieftains erupted in the sixth.

Dulin used three different pitchers, but the Chieftains found the holes, with three different two-run hits, including one from the splendid sophomore Splinter (3 or 5, 4 RBIs).

Down five with six outs left, North Andover wouldn't relent.

Jeff Hajjar and Aaron Brunette belted back-to-back solo homers with two down in the sixth, cutting the margin to 9-6.

The Knights put a pair on in the seventh off Masco closer Evan Bunker, bringing Hajjar to the plate representing the tying run. But Splinter snared the senior's looping liner to end the game and North Andover's season.

The sophomore Walsh and seniors Hajjar, Taylor Livingston and Gary Lunetta all had two hits apiece for the Knights, who outhit Masco 9-8.

Dulin now stands at 28-14 in his two seasons leading North Andover.

With Brunette, a Cape Ann League all-star, the versatile Sifferlen, sophomore second baseman Nick Blanks and promising southpaw Michael Weisman all returning, the Knights should be strong again next spring.

"I played football for coach (Mike) Cavanaugh, and we attack every game like he did, expecting to win," said Dulin. "We were good, but they were a better team. Now we have to keep working to get there."