The North Haven boys' baseball team opened the 2011 campaign yesterday under the guidance of their legendary head coach Bob DeMayo who has returned to coach his 52nd season for the Indians. During that span, DeMayo has guided North Haven to 793 wins.
On this day, however, the Indians' young team was no match for Foran Sophomore Chris Malave who pitched five no-hit shutout innings as the Lions built up a six run lead before the Indians could even score. Foran took control of this game in the third inning when Ryan Manning launched a three-run homer off Ryan McLane deep over the right center field fence and North Haven never recovered.
Senior Kevin Bucknall, who is the only returning varsity pitcher from last year's squad, got the opening day start for the Indians and was effective over his two innings of work surrendering only one run while taking the loss.
North Haven finally broke through in the sixth after Kevin Erbe walked and was pinch ran for by Johnny Johnson. Eric Yavarone followed with a sharp single to left center to move Johnson over to second. A fly ball out to deep center allowed Johnson to move to third and then Johnson scored on a wild pitch for the Indians' first run of the season. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Erbe drove a double to the left field fence to score Bucknall to cap the scoring in a 6-2 game.
North Haven will next take on Xavier at Robert E. DeMayo Baseball Field at 3:45pm on Friday.
