RallyNorth.net

Wed, Jun 08, 2016 07:00 PM @ Neutral Location

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Final
Lawrence	0	2	3	1	0	4	3	13
Billerica	3	1	0	0	1	0	0	5

Headed Home Lawrence pummels Billerica to advance to second straight finals

Wednesday, June, 08 By Kyle Gaudette

LOWELL — Lawrence got a taste of what a championship may feel like last season, and now they want more.

There is no doubt that last year's crushing 6-4 loss in 11 innings to Chelmsford in the Division 1 North championship stung. But the Lancers know what it takes to win, and that has become their motto. Just keep winning. 

It certainly did not look as though that would be the case early on in the Lancers Division 1 North semi-final matchup against Billerica. The Indians jumped to an early three-run lead in the first inning, and  lead 4-2 after the second. 

But then the Lancers started to hit, and LeAngel Vasquez took over the mound.

Lawrence exploded for three runs in the third, one in the fourth, four in the sixth and four in the seventh to beat MVC rival Billerica 13-5 and advance to the championship game.

"We know Billerica is a team that will always bounce back," said Lawrence coach Brendan Neilon. "So I knew we would have to hit to win, and we did. It's been a while since we've hit like this."

For Lawrence, their fantastic 16-6 season is headed for the championship game against top-seeded Lincoln-Sudbury.

"It means a lot," said Vasquez. "It honestly means so much. It's crazy. I can't wait to go to the championship. That's what we've been working for all year.

Vasquez was the player of the game, as he delivered a gutsy performance in relief of starter Abel Acosta. Acosta was chased after alone an inning and two-thirds, having allowed four runs and three walks. Vasquez came in with runners on first and second and the game looking as though it was getting out of hand, and absolutely shut the door.

Vasquez went the rest of the way for Lawrence, striking out five while allowing three hits and an unearned run. He stifled what looked to be an unstoppable Billerica offense.

"Coach told to me just find the zone," said Vasquez. "They're a great team, and I knew I had to pitch like my life depended on it. I just had to pound the zone with strikes. I relied on my fastball and slider to get it down."

"He's a horse man," said cathcer Nelson Diaz. "He's an absolute work horse and I love him to death."  

While Vasquez was great on the mound, the play of the game came in the third inning. Leading 4-2 at the time, Billerica saw its lead vanish in a matter of seconds. Not from a home run or a big hit, but from a simple ground ball.

Diaz came up with two on and two outs, and hit a weak ground ball to second. Billerica second basemen Dylan Salk came in hard to field it, but airmailed his throw to first. The error scored Leo Romero easily, but Alex Almonte got risky and broke for home as well. Fortunately for the Lancers, another airmailed throw home plated Almonte, and yet another airmailed throw as Diaz was headed for third alowwed him to score as well.

Three errors on one played led to three runs, all unearned, on a ball that didn't leave the infield.

"I had no idea what was going on," said Diaz. "I just saw the ball go everywhere, so I just kept running until I was home."

The Lancers were given a gift on that play, but they generated enough offense in the later innings to seal it. Almonte went 3 for 4 with a team-high four RBI's, and was just a home run shy of the cycle. Romero was 3 for five with two runs scored and two RBI's, and Jordaly Vasquez went 2 for 4 with a triple and an RBI.

The time and date for the championship game have not yet been announced.

"This is my first season with these guys and I love them to death," said Diaz. "I can't wait to keep on winning." 

 

 

Sniffing Stardom 

Lawrence has been all around the North title picture the past six years, but has been unable to claim the regioanl. They will get another chance in this year's final against Lincoln-Sudbury.

Year             Round           Score            Opponent

2015             Finals            6-4               Chelmsford

2011            Semis            6-3               Acton-Boxboro

2010            Finals             5-1                St. John's