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Central Catholic's season-ending surge came to an end Saturday in the Division 1 first round against Arlington. The Raiders, who had won six straight to make the tournament and seven straight overall, held a 4-1 lead early and 5-4 edge after four innings but a couple of mental mistakes resulted in three Arlington runs in the fifth and resulted in a 7-6 loss. Abby Latham ended her career with a pair of RBIs for the Raiders (13-9). 

Central Catholic continued its late season surge with a 7-6 victory over North Andover and then whipped Lawrence 27-5 to improve to 10-8 and qualify for the tournament after starting the season 0-4. Maddie Kolifrath and winning pitcher Abby Jankowski were both 2 for 4 and scored twice for the Raiders. Kaitlyn Sawyer had a grand slam against Lawrence.

LAWRENCE — It's been a struggle for the inexperienced Central Catholic softball team, which has been battling uphill to make the state tournament.

But the Raiders took a huge step toward qualifying Monday with an impressive 6-2 victory over Methuen, improving to  8-8 with four games still to play.

 Kaitlyn Sawyer, the No. 9 hitter in the order, was 2 for 4 with two RBIs and had the game-winning hit in the eighth as Central Catholic (7-8) kept thits playoff hopes alive with a 7-6 win over Hopkinton. Abby Latham was 2 for 4 with a solo home run, two RBIs and two runs scored.

Haley Merrill was 3 for 4 with two doubles and drove in four runs as Central Catholic's softball team moved back to .500 (6-6) with an 11-2 win over Andover.

Central Catholic intentionally walked the bases loaded to get to Claudia Crowe, and the sophomroe made it regretthat decision. She lined a two-run single to put Methuen back on top 3-2, and the Rangers hung on for the win. Senior co-captain Taylor Cassidy went 2 for 2 with two runs scored batting from the No. 8 spot in the order.

Freshman Kylie Frank was 3 for 4 and drove in three runs as Central Catholic improved to 5-5 with an 8-4 win over Billerica. Sara Janco was 2 for 4 and had a solo home run.

Sophomore Haley Merrill hits a three-run homer for Central Catholic but the Raiders gave up three runs in the seventh and fell to Lowell, 7-5.c

Sarah Janco got Central Catholic going early with a three-run home run in the top of the first inning as the Raiders cruised to a 12-2 win over Lawrence. Senior Abby Latham made her pitching debut for the Raiders and tossed two scoreless innings.