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In yesterday's consolation game, Methuen High junior Tim Higgins belted a two-out, seventh-inning walkoff homer, lifting the Rangers to a 6-5 win over Pentucket.

Rubber-armed David Koerner earned his second win in the last four days, going the distance in an eight-hitter. Koerner helped his own cause with a three-hit afternoon, driving in one and scoring another.

A stiff wind blowing straight out, a potent lineup in the other dugout, and his usual pin-point control a no-show.

It didn't look promising.

All Lawrence High sophomore Michael Calzetta could do was buckle up, hold on and hope his teammates had their hacking shoes on.

Sizzling Steve Saba continued to swing an impeccable bat, going 3 for 3 with two RBIs to lead Methuen over Whittier, 10-2. Saba is now seven for his last eight. Kenny Polanco also had three hits and drove in a pair to help make a winner out of David Koerner.

Earlier in the year, Andover coach Ken Maglio predicted 10 wins would take the Merrimack Valley Conference large title.

He is a Central Catholic loss to Tewksbury (Monday) away from being a prophet.

Jhiomar Veras' two-run triple drew Methuen even in the top of the seventh inning and Andover was held scoreless before the rains stopped play with the teams deadlocked, 5-5. Zach Burdeau ripped a triple and a single to lead the Golden Warriors.
The Merrimack Valley Conference will decide when the remainder of the game will be played, with the possibility that it will be finished May 16 in Methuen before the regularly scheduled matchup.

HAVERHILL | Should Haverhill challenge for a conference title this spring, the Hillies will remember yesterday with glee.

Haverhill, now 6-3 overall and still a game behind Tewksbury in the MVC Small chase, managed just three hits but got plenty of pitching and a bit of help to knock off Methuen, 6-1.

Historic Doubleday Field brings out the best in the Methuen Rangers.

Methuen shocked Tewksbury, the top-rated team in Eastern Mass., 6-4, in the shadow of the National Baseball Hall of Fame behind another heroic David Koerner mound performance.

2007 record: 7-15, did not make state tourney

Returning starters (4): Jimmy Cote, Sr., 3B/P; Dave Koerner, Sr., RF/P; Steve Saba, Sr., C; Matt Bartlett, Jr., SS; Jhiomar Veras, Sr., 2B