Feels good to be back.

UMass Lowell grabs its first transfer portal commitment, 6-4 guard Mekhi Gray.

A grad transfer from America East rival NJIT, Gray, who averaged 10 PPG last season, fills in a big role for the River Hawks.

First of what should be multiple off-season pickups.

Despite 5 straight seasons with 8 wins or lower, things are off to an incredible start in ‘24 for Lawrence ⚾️

Here’s my story from yesterday’s comeback win as the Lancers took down Haverhill.

eagletribune.com/sports/trailin…

Bill Burt Hector Longo Lawrence High Sports Lancerbaseball

ICYMI: Eagle-Tribune Super Teamer Luca Palermo has announced that he will be reclassifying to the Class of ‘27, and transferring to St. Marks School.

Palermo is the first impact player to leave Andover High for prep school in 30+ years.

Read Hector Longo’s story in the E-T today

Final: Lawrence 3, Haverhill 2.

Trailing by 1 down to their last two outs, the Lancers were able to rally two runs together, and stun the Hillies on the road.

First 2-0 start for Lawrence since 2019.

Bill Burt Hector Longo Jamie Pote Lancerbaseball Lawrence High Sports

What an unreal top half of the 7th.

Bednarek gets taken out after a walk, and Lawrence tied things up after a bad throw to second.

Then with bases loaded, Malvin Jiminez drives in Hildalgo with a sac fly.

3-2 Lawrence High Sports, three outs away.

Bill Burt Hector Longo

Wow. Bednarek gets taken out after 6 1/3 near perfect innings, and Lawrence takes immediate advantage of that.

Jose David scores after a wild throw to second base, with John Hidalgo stealing.

2-2 in top 7. Lancers have bases loaded with one out.

Bill Burt Hector Longo

After 6, Haverhill leads 2-1.

Zach Hurrell drives in a runner on third, and the Hillies regain the lead.

Bednarek comes out for a potential complete game, looking to get Haverhill to 3-0 for the first time in 2+ decades.

Bill Burt Hector Longo Haverhill Athletics Joe Bednarek

Lawrence ties it up in the top of the 5th, after Bednarek’s throw past third base went out of play, and Jose David scored.

Overall, Bednarek had a strong day. Both runs in this game have been on strange plays.

After 5, we are tied at 1.

Bill Burt Hector Longo Haverhill Athletics

After 4, Haverhill is still in front with a 1-0 lead.

The Hillies were looking to build onto their lead with two runners on and no outs, but a double play and fly out ended the inning.

Bill Burt Hector Longo Haverhill Athletics Lawrence High Sports

After two, Haverhill leads 1-0.

Jack Kelleher was able to score on a balk, but the Hillies were unable to drive in a runner on third.

Bill Burt Hector Longo Haverhill Athletics Lawrence High Sports

Start time was delayed by an hour here at Haverhill Stadium.

Scoreless after the first inning. Lawrence began the game with a triple from John Hildalgo, but the Lancers weren’t able to drive him in.

Bill Burt Hector Longo Haverhill Athletics Lawrence High Sports

I’ll be heading out to Haverhill Stadium today, as the Hillies take on Lancerbaseball. ⚾️

Haverhill looks to reach 3-0 for the first time since at least ‘05, but it could be much longer than that.

First pitch at 4:15.

Bill Burt Hector Longo Haverhill Athletics Lawrence High Sports

Isaiah Campbell coming into a must-win extra innings game versus a division rival? That surely will work out just great, right?

UMass Lowell transfer Brayden O’Connor will visit the following programs, he tells me.

Loyola Marymount tomorrow, 4/12
George Mason, Monday, 4/15

Le Moyne commit Mac Gobiel had a hat trick, while Army commit JP Guinee scored two, including the game winner, en route to Andover’s 6-5 comeback win over Central Catholic.

eagletribune.com/sports/mvc-boy…

Bill Burt Hector Longo Andover Athletics John Paul Guinee Le Moyne College Men's Lacrosse Army Men's Lacrosse

Andover survives a valiant upset-minded Central Catholic team, 6-5.

Le Moyne commit Mac Gobiel had a hat trick, while Army commit JP Guinee had 2 goals for Andover.

Jake Lydon stopped 16 shots in the defeat.

Bill Burt Hector Longo CCHS Raiders Andover Athletics

With 7:48 left in regulation, Andover and Central remain tied at 5.

The goalies on both sides have been great, as Central’s Jake Lydon has 13 saves.

Freshman Maksim Curreri has 8 saves for Andover.

What a game.

Bill Burt Hector Longo CCHS Raiders Andover Athletics

Heading into the 4th, Andover and Central Catholic are tied at 5.

The Warriors were able to quickly erase the 3 goal deficit thanks to Mac Gobiel, who has a hat trick.

Luke Faletra also has a hat trick for Central.

Bill Burt Hector Longo CCHS Raiders Andover Athletics

Despite the Central lead at the break, Andover isn’t going anywhere.

The Warriors have controlled the third so far, with Le Moyne commit Mac Gobiel’s second goal, and freshman Daniel Guinee’s first.

Central 4, Andover 3. 7:20 left in third.

Bill Burt Hector Longo