Methuen’s Matt Pappalardo fired six innings of one-run ball whereas hanging out 14 hitters whereas Methuen scored three runs inside the seventh to return again once more and defeat No. 12 Andover, 3-1, inside the opening spherical of the MIAA State Match.
“Andover’s guys battle one by way of 9 however Matt is nails,” Methuen coach Cam Roper acknowledged. “He handled adversity. Made pitches robust spots. Then he saved his finest for final with that immaculate sixth inning.”
Trailing 1-0 inside the seventh, the Rangers rallied.
A Drew Lachance single and Joey Delight double put runners on second and third with nobody out and knocked Andover ace Chris Jaillet from the game. Two batters later Noah Kneeland lofted a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 1.
An intentional stroll to Pappalardo put two runners once more on, after which Owen Sullivan received right here by means of with the go-ahead RBI single to supply the Rangers up 2-1. An infield single by Daremin Escano Vargas extended the lead two.
Sullivan struck out the facet inside the seventh in discount of Pappalardo, working spherical an error, to seal the win.
“We had runners on base all recreation however simply couldn’t break by way of,” Roper acknowledged. “It’s a credit score to our guys for simply staying mentally engaged and toughing it out.”
Andover’s lone run received right here inside the bottom of the 4th on a Chase Lembo sacrifice fly. Jaillet, within the meantime, held the Rangers scoreless by means of the first six hanging out 10 whereas working spherical guests sooner than working into problem inside the seventh.
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