Only allowing three hits through five innings, Matt Boylan ’06 pitched solidly against Cushing this past Wednesday in Andover’s 7-5 victory. Though Boylan pitched beautifully, errors in the field and walks allowed Cushing to make it a close game, scoring four runs off of him. Despite some errors in the field, Andover’s defense has steadily improved; a great example of this improvement was Chris Bramwell’s ’07 performance. Making tough play after tough play, Bramwell made playing third base look easy even though he has had minimal game time experience at third this season. Tied four to four after the fifth inning, Boylan was relieved by Justin Schaeffer ’05. After a hit by Cushing and a hits batsman, a Cushing batter bunted the runners on first and second over to second and third. Despite making a great play to stop a ball that was hit to him, Bramwell could not get his throw off in time to stop the runner at third from scoring. True to form though, Andover showed it resiliency to mount a come back in the top of the seventh inning. Starting the inning out with two consecutive outs, it looked as if Andover’s hopes were lost though. But showing Andover’s small ball skills, Steve Sherrill ’05 laid a perfect bunt down the third base line to put himself on first. Steve Rolecek ’05 then hit a ball between third and short to advance himself and Sherrill. After a pitching change, Tom Dignard ’05 looked to tie the game with one stroke of the bat. Though he struggled offensively through the first stages of the game, he came up huge for Andover with a blast into center field. This hit scored Sherrill to tie the game and advanced Rolecek to third. Continuing Andover’s rally, Schaeffer hit a bloop hit over the first baseman’s head to score Sherrill and move Dignard to third. After a misjudgment by Cushing’s pitcher when Schaeffer stole second, Dignard scored to give Andover the seven to five lead. Continuing to pitch in the seventh, Schaeffer retired one batter. But due to a walk thrown by Schaeffer, Tom Church ’05 came into the game to get the last two outs and earn a save for Andover. With only two weeks remaining until the tournament, this victory moved Andover into third place in the Central New England Prep School Baseball League. With three league games cancelled in the last three weeks, Andover has not been able to challenge Exeter for the number one position.
