LYNN — Just days ahead of Friday’s game at Fraser Field, Lynn Tech baseball coach Eddie Lewis had this to say about coach Jim Rabbitt and his KIPP Panthers:
“They always come to play, so it should be a good one,” Lewis said after his team’s 3-1 loss to Boston Collegiate Charter.
Well, he was right – a good one, indeed. Not only did Tech get back into the win column with an 8-7 victory, but did so with some theatrics.
KIPP held a 6-4 advantage heading into the seventh inning, just three outs away from its first win of the season.
The Tigers had other plans. First, it was Eddie Lewis Jr. getting on base with an infield single. He then stole a base before advancing to third.
After a Will McCafferty walk and stolen base, the Tigers had runners in scoring position with Nevin Gonzalez at the plate. Gonzalez put the ball in play and, despite grounding out, brought home Lewis Jr. to cut the deficit to one (6-5).
Things went from bad to worse for KIPP, loading the bases and walking home two runners. Then, Jayden Barragan stole home to make it 8-6.
“The message was to take it one pitch and one hit at a time. We knew we had it in us to make a run and get some momentum,” Lewis said. “If we were able to get momentum on our side, I had a feeling we would be able to pull it out in that inning.”
The Tigers took a two-run advantage, but the Panthers had one more chance to either win it or force extra innings.
Morenel Castro got on base with a single and advanced to second after a balk. Then, the two-sport star (football) showed his speed by swiping third with fellow football teammate Chanel Gutierrez at the plate. Gutierrez brought Castro home with a single to make it 8-7.
Gutierrez drew high praise from Rabbitt after the game, one in which he went 3-for-3 with four steals.
“He’s a great baseball player. No matter what team he’s on, he’s going to be one of the best players on it. He’s one of the best players in the state and he’s one of the best catchers in the state,” Rabbitt said. “All around, he’s a great leader and a great player to have around.”
McCafferty was on the mound for the Tigers and had runners on third and second with no outs and just a one-run lead.
But, that didn’t phase him. McCafferty struck out his next two batters before forcing the third to pop up to shortstop – game over.
“The kid has got ice in his veins. That was a tough position for him to be in. He stayed relaxed the whole time,” Lewis said. “I feel like he put the team on his back tonight. He almost single-handedly took out the last three players, striking out two and our shortstop making a play for us.”
After the game, both coaches spoke highly of the opposition. Also, the fact that every time they play, it’s more-often-than-not a good one.
“Every time we’ve played Lynn Tech since coach Lewis and I have been coaching against each other, it’s always a battle. They’re a very good baseball team and this is the best we’ve played all year,” Rabbitt said. “It came down to the last at-bat and that’s what we want to see from our guys. We fought the whole way.”
“Every time we play, it’s going to be a good game,” Lewis said. “I give those guys all the credit in the world. They battled and battled. We dug deep and were able to get it done.”
The fifth inning came with a highlight that got fans out of their slightly-wet seats. That’s because Gutierrez stole home during a routine catcher-to-pitcher throw.
“We talked about the slow walk back from the catcher and the pitcher,” Rabbitt said. “There’s only so many guys you can do that with, and he’s one of the guys who understands how to – and when to execute it. He’s done it a couple of times over the last four years.”
Despite the loss, Rabbitt is pleased with what he saw from his Panthers (0-3).
“We’re just continuing to get better. We haven’t had much time outside,” Rabbitt said. “We competed today, which is what I liked. Our guys do a lot under these circumstances and I’m proud of them.”
Lynn Tech’s next game is Tuesday when it welcomes Nashoba Tech to Fraser Field at noon. KIPP is also back in action on Tuesday when it travels to face Mystic Valley at the same time.
