RallyNorth.net

Malden Catholic ousts Central

Tuesday, June, 03 By Dave Dyer
Staff writer

After playing with wooden bats all spring in the Catholic Conference, Malden Catholic is relishing the ping of the aluminum bats in the state tournament.

 The Lancers proved it again yesterday in a 13-8 win over Central Catholic in the Division 1 North quarterfinals at Merrimack College. That ended a superb 19-4 season for the Raiders.

Malden Catholic's first two batters smacked first-pitch hits off Zak Adamopoulos and the Lancers scored two runs in the top of the first. They all but put the game away with eight runs in the third and finished the nine-inning game with a season-high 20 hits.

"We were a pretty good hitting team all year but when we go to the metal bats, the kids really enjoy it," said Malden Catholic coach Steve Freker.

Central Catholic coach Marc Pelletier was certainly impressed.

"I give them credit, they outslugged us and beat our best (pitchers, Adamopoulos and Matt Novak), who came in a combined 11-1," said Pelletier. "We couldn't keep up with them."

Malden Catholic had seven starters with at least two hits, led by second baseman Nate Witkowski, who was 5 for 6 and nearly hit a grand slam in the eighth, but Brendan Walsh caught the bomb at the fence in left field. Witkowski also pitched the last five innings in relief and retired 10 batters in a row at one stretch.

Still, the Raiders actually led briefly when they scored four runs in the bottom of the first off Kevin Gilchrist, who walked three, hit a batter and gave up a two-run single to Adamopoulos. But the eight runs in the third chased Adamopoulos and gave Malden Catholic the lead for good.

Adamopoulos had a huge day at the plate, finishing 4 for 5 with a double and three RBIs. Ryan Kemp completed his tremendous season with two hits and an RBI and shortstop Robbie Taylor had a fine all-around game.

Taylor was 1 for 4, but he hit the ball hard all day, had an RBI, scored a run and made seven assists in the field, several on tough plays. He also started two double plays.

Complete Eagle-Tribune records go back 23 years, and in that span only one other Central team won 19 games. The 1996 club, which lost in the North finals, went 19-5.