RallyNorth.net

Mon, Jun 13, 2011 06:00 PM @ North Andover

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Final
Lynn Classical	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
North Andover	0	1	0	2	1	0	0	4

North Andover wins sectional title

Monday, June, 13 By Christopher Smith
Staff writer

LYNN — North Andover senior David Foote hasn’t had too many outfield assists while playing center field during his baseball career, but he had a huge one yesterday.

“That was actually one of my first ones that I’ve ever had — ever,” Foote said about his tremendous throw from center field right to catcher Jon Swanton in the top of the fourth inning.

Foote gunned down Lynn Classical base runner Kyle Devin who was attempting to score from second base on a single up the middle by John Finnigan. If Devin had scored, Lynn Classical would have tied the game 1-1 and had the go-ahead run at second. 

“If David Foote didn’t make that play, then it could’ve been a whole different game,” pitcher Brandon Walsh said.

North Andover coach Todd Dulin added: “It was a big momentum changer.”  

The North Andover defense played well yesterday and Walsh threw a gem as the Scarlet Knights posted a 4-0 victory over Lynn Classical to win the Division 2 North title here at Fraser Field in Lynn.

It was North Andover’s first sectional title since 2009 when it beat Reading in the championship game, then got crushed 8-0 by Plymouth North in the Division 2 semifinals. 

“I think we’re just really hungry,” Walsh said. “In 2009, we played this game (the Division 2 North final) like it was our championship game and then we didn’t really produce the next game. So we’re just staying hungry and looking for that next win.”

Foote added: “We’ve got two more. That’s all we’re thinking about. We’ve got two more.”

North Andover will play in the Division 2 semifinals against the winner of Somerset/Plymouth North.Those two teams will play today at 7 p.m. in the Division 2 South final at Adams Field in Quincy.

Walsh didn’t allow a hit yesterday until the fourth inning when Devin doubled. The North Andover hurler tossed a complete game shutout and allowed six hits while striking out 12 batters and walking two.

"He was unbelievable but what do you expect? It’s Brandon Walsh,” Foote said.

Swanton added about Walsh: “He was just hitting his spots. Everywhere I set up he was nailing it. And whenever he ran into trouble he just focused and kept hitting the spots.”

Walsh did run into some trouble in the fifth inning when Lynn Classical loaded the bases with one out.

But Walsh struck out Huebert Segura and then got leadoff hitter Kyle Gauthier to ground back to the mound to retire the side.

Walsh said he wasn’t trying for the strikeout with the bases loaded and one out.

“I’m just looking to throw strikes and just not walk anyone,” he said.

Walsh had an effective breaking ball working for him to complement his fastball.

Foote’s outfield assist was a big one at the time. It seemed to give North Andover some momentum as the Scarlet Knights scored twice on three hits and a Lynn Classical error in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 3-0 lead.

“The whole time I was thinking, ‘throw that home,’” said Foote, who charged in fast on the ball and threw a perfect strike to the plate. “I got a perfect read, got the ball and just threw it as hard as I could. (Walsh) is throwing a gem, you’ve got to just help him out as best you can behind him.”

Swanton called Foote’s throw “a cannon.”

Lynn Classical made four errors, leading to three unearned runs.

“That’s the way it goes,” Foote said. “Playoff baseball — we’ll take anything.”