RallyNorth.net

After yesterday's 18-12 loss in the preliminary round of the Division 1 North tournament, Andover head coach Stephanie Ragucci was left scratching her head.

You can't blame her because Andover had a whopping 23 hits and still lost.

No one should expect a pitching duel in today's 7 p.m. championship game of the Methuen Invitational.

The way red-hot Andover and Methuen hit the ball in their semifinal victories at the Burnham Road complex yesterday, in fact, there could be a slugfest.

After failing to qualify last year, Andover qualified for the state tournament for the 10th time in 11 years with a 6-5 comeback win over Haverhill. The victory also gave the Golden Warriors (10-8, 9-5 in MVC) a shot at the MVC small school title.

Meaghan McCarthy's RBI single in the bottom of the eighth squeezed Andover past Lowell, 3-2.

Katie McCarthy led off the inning by reaching base on an error. Jeanette Doucette laid down a bunt that was bobbled, allowing McCarthy to advance to third and Doucette to reach first safely. After an intentional walk to slugger Tricia Martin, Meaghan McCarthy ripped a single through the hole between first and second to drive home the winning run. Pitcher Kathleen Cheney totalled nine strikeouts for the Warriors.

Trailing by two, Haverhill pushed five runs across the plate in the bottom of the fourth on its way to a 7-5 win over Andover. Elizabeth Strong stroked a three-run double and freshman Jessica Johnson (2 for 3) added a two-run single in the big inning. Winning pitcher Alicia Briggs and Paige Johnson were both 2 for 3 and scored a run for the Hillies (7-2). Nina Yu had a pair of RBIs for Andover (3-6).

Andover senior Tricia Martin had a day for the record books yesterday in an improbable 11-9 victory over Chelmsford.

Martin crushed three home runs, including a three-run blast to win the game with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, was 5 for 5 overall and knocked in seven runs.

Central Catholic was  the recipient of 17 walks from Andover pitching and cruised to a 13-5 win. The Raiders (2-1) had five hits, highlighted by Chelsey Guselli's three-run homer. Liz Habib earned the win. For Andover, Rachel Licciardi had two RBIs and Kerry McCarthy had two hits.

Andover's Nina Yu has found herself hobbled recently.

"I've been having a lot of problems with my knees," said the senior. "I've been in physical therapy to strengthen my quads. I've worked through it and now it's mainly just discomfort."

2007 record: 8-12, didn't make state tourney

Returning starters (5): Kerry McCarthy, Jr., 1B; Tricia Martin, Sr., 2B; Nina Yu, Sr., C; Rachel Licciardi, Sr., SS; Alex Strock, Jr., 3B