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After a big weekend victory against Holy Name, Central Catholic climbed back to the .500 mark with a 13-0, six-inning win over O'Bryant. Tablesetters Zach Bardwell (3 for 5 with triple and run scored) and Colin Walsh (2 for 3 with a run scored) kickstarted the Raiders' 11-hit attack.

Nate Allen cracked a double to the wall in center field, driving in two of his team-best four RBIs as Whittier pounded O'Bryant 13-5. Freshman Nathan Frongillo was 4 for 4 with three runs and an RBI for the winners.

Andover had a chance late to tie or win in its nonleague game against O'Bryant yesterday.  Down by two points. Joe Bramanti drove in toward the basket, then passed to Brian Miller who kicked it out to James Connors beyond the arc. But Connors' 3-point attempt rimmed out and O'Bryant won 59-57 at Andover. "We played them for the last five years and they always give us a good nonleague competition," coach Dave Fazio said. "They just made more shots than us to be honest." Jimmy Johnson didn't play. The 6-foot senior forward who starts for Andover missed the contest because he turned his ankle Friday night. But Fazio said Johnson will play in tomorrow's game against Central Catholic.

Ten runs in the first two innings propelled Whittier past O'Bryant 14-3. Sophomore Brandon Martinez's two-out, two-run double in the first started the Whittier attack. Dennis Asselin pitched five quality innings for the Wildcats. With the win Whittier qualifys for the state tournament.

Paola Gutierrez (9 kills, 3 aces), Trudy Goetchius (9 kills, 4 blocks) and Angie Gonzalez (12 assists, 12 service points) dominated the match to lead Greater Lawrence past O'Bryant 25-10, 25-14, 25-22 in the Division 2 North quarterfinals. Coach Kevin Maloney, in his 30th year coaching the team, was particularly impressed with the play of Gonzalez.

One goal was all North Andover needed yesterday to edge O'Bryant 1-0 in the first round of the Division 2 North Tournament.

"We had plenty of chances, we pretty much dominated, but we just couldn't find the back of the net," said North Andover coach Bill Tarbox. "We hit the goalpost and shot over the net, and their goalie kept us at bay."