RallyNorth.net

It's days like yesterday that make Gloucester High School baseball coach Joe Orlando wish his team's home field didn't have dimensions suited for the Little League World Series.

Hosting 19th-seeded Arlington in the preliminary round of the Division 1 North state tournament, the No. 14 Fishermen were victimized by the short right field fence at Nate Ross Field, which sits just 295 feet away from home plate down the line. The visiting Spy Ponders erupted for five home runs (all falling behind the right field wall), en route to a 19-11 football score-like victory over the Fishermen.

DANVERS | Trevor Manzi said he loved the pressure situation with two out, the game on the line, and St. John's Prep playing a game of historical significance.

"I have trust in all my teammates | but I have the most trust in myself," the senior from Beverly responded.

For decades now, the Andover baseball trademark has been quiet confidence.

The 2008 Warriors have added a chip to their wide shoulders. Through five games now, the bolstered formula has yielded more than just a modicum of success.

Each time the St. John's Prep baseball team thought it had host Arlington down and out Saturday, the Spy Ponders struck back. On three seperate occasions in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings, Arlington tied the game mere minutes after the Prep had gone on top.