ITEM PHOTO BY KATIE MORRISON
Classical’s Christian Burt greets Sean Devin after his game-winning single in Friday’s victory over North Reading.
By HAROLD RIVERA
LYNN — Coming into Friday’s Clancy Tournament opener between Classical and North Reading at Fraser Field, the Rams were 17-1 and the Hornets stood at 9-9. The disparity in records, however, didn’t stop North Reading from giving Classical a battle. The Rams won, 6-5 in 10 innings on Sean Devin’s game-winning RBI single, but the Hornets provided scares throughout the game.
“No matter the team or the record, you come into the Clancy Tournament expecting a game every year,” Classical coach Mike Zukowski said. “Whether it’s the first round, the consolation game or the championship game.”
North Reading coach Eric Archambault agreed.
“Part of the reason we love this tournament is because it’s four competitive teams and you get a tournament atmosphere right before the state tournament,” Archambault said. “It’s a good challenge and a good test. It’s four well-coached teams.”
In the early goings it seemed as though Classical, as it has often done this season, was ready to run away with a win. The Rams took advantage of five walks in the bottom of the first and turned North Reading’s miscues into a 3-0 lead without a base hit.
“It seemed like a great start but I’d like to see hits as opposed to no hits with those three runs,” Zukowski said.
After claiming a 3-0 lead, Classical’s offense froze. North Reading pitcher John Day, who relieved starter Robert Donohue in the first inning, kept Classical honest. Through the next six innings Day allowed just one hit, a single by Devin in the third inning.
“He (Day) shut us down,” Zukowski said. “Our bats were really quiet. I think we’re pressing a little too hard and I think when we get the lead early we step back a little bit.”
The Hornets struck for a pair of runs in the fifth inning. Donohue’s RBI single plated Ryan Connor for North Reading’s first run of the game. John Merullo drew a walk with the bases loaded on the ensuing at-bat, bringing home Jeffrey Mejia to slice Classical’s lead down to 3-2.
“We knew that Classical’s an excellent team coming in,” Archambault said. “We knew they’re in Super 8 contention. We knew we had to play our A-game and we played pretty close to that. We had plenty of opportunities to win the game but Classical’s a good team.”
North Reading took advantage of a Classical miscue in the seventh to bring home the tying run. Alex D’Ambrosio was hit by a pitch to start the frame and advanced to third on a single by Donohue. Merullo hit a liner at Classical reliever Jonathan Nicosia but after Nicosia caught the ball, he made an errant throw in attempt to pick off Donohue at first and D’Ambrosio scored to even the game at 3-3.
The Hornets carried their momentum into extra innings to take a 5-3 lead in top of the eighth. Michael McCauley’s RBI single made it 4-3 and Mejia raced home on a wild pitch on the following at-bat to pad North Reading’s lead at 5-3.
Classical woke up in the bottom half of the frame, tying the game on a pair of RBI sac flies from Devin and Andrew Moccia.
“We had a little meeting after the top of the eighth,” Zukowski said. “We told the guys that they had to have good at-bats and hit their pitches. We chased two runs so we couldn’t press, we had to be patient and we were.”
Neither team got anything going in the ninth and after Moccia, in relief, sent the Hornets down in order in the top of the tenth, Devin singled home Herbie Newton for the 6-5 win.
“Sean came up with a huge hit,” Zukowski said. “Herbie got on base and I wasn’t stopping him at third (on the single). We had to make them make a play and we capitalized.”
Classical advances to tomorrow’s championship game against St. Mary’s. North Reading battles English in the consolation.
