Andover turned in an undefeated week during its playoff push, sweeping rival Deerfield in the process. While offense has been the story with Andover for most of the season, it was the pitching that carried Andover last week. In game one on Saturday, Andover edged Deerfield 2-0. Preston Atteberry ’08 got the start and combined with Glenn Stowell ’09 to record Andover’s first shutout of the season. Deerfield’s offense threatened in the first inning, but Atteberry got out of a jam by inducing an inning ending double play. In the home half of the inning, Andover gave Atteberry run support. Co-Captain J.R. Santaniello ’08 hit a grounder to short but hustled down the line to force a bad throw. Co-Captain Mike Ciummei followed by slamming a two run shot to center. The two runs were all the Andover pitching staff would need. Atteberry made sure that Deerfield didn’t respond in the second. He worked a one-two-three second inning, picking up a strikeout. Stowell earned the save as Andover pitching held Deerfield to just four hits while only issuing three walks. Santaniello got the start in the second game of the doubleheader. He went six innings and gave up six hits, allowing just two runs. The seniors stepped up big in the second game providing much of the offense. Jack Walsh ’08 had two hits and scored on an RBI double by Ryan McCarthy ’08 in the first inning. McCarthy picked up another RBI in the second on a single. Bryan Farris ’08 chipped in with a run and an RBI. McCarthy also had a good day in the field, throwing out a runner at the plate in the sixth inning. Stowell came in for the seventh, picking up his second save in as many chances. Defense was key for Andover’s offense in both games. Both starting pitchers throw more to contact instead of swings and misses. This meant that Andover’s infielders had to be on their toes for all sorts of ground balls. It was Andover’s fourth straight Saturday with a double header. Combined, Andover is 6-2 in those games. Andover’s offense woke up against Tabor on Wednesday, winning 13-1. Andover rotated through a lot pitchers in preparation for the tournament on Saturday. Lucian Neville ’08 got the start and went three innings. John Twomey ’08, and Stowell also pitched an inning each. Once again, the middle of the order put up some big numbers. Bobby Farnham ’08 had a shot that would have been a home run if Tabor’s baseball field had a fence. Santaniello was a homer shy of the cycle. He went three for four on the day. Andover boosted its record to 13-2. Andover now goes into the tournament seeking back-to-back championship titles as the number one overall seed. Andover has posted the league’s best offense this season, but pitching and defense have also been key aspects to the team’s success. Andover does have one other factor going for them heading into the postseason – experience. With most of last year’s championship team returning, Andover is optimistic that they can bring back a second title.
