Souhegan Sabers Qualify for Postseason

By William Dod

The Souhegan Sabers "hosted" the Hollis/Brookline Cavaliers at Historic Holman Stadium in Nashua, and the Sabers came away with a 9 to 2 victory. It was the team's eighth victory of the season.

Senior left-handed pitcher Eric Howard pitched a complete game, allowing two runs on five hits. He walked only one and struck out 15.

The team defense was led by senior right fielder Robby McCormick, who made an outstanding diving catch in the fourth inning and junior catcher Cameron Crook (who called an outstanding game mixing up the pitches).

Souhegan opened the scoring in the bottom of the first when senior Chris Chininis walked, went to second on a throwing error and scored on an Eric Howard RBI single.

In the second, the Sabers plated five runs to take a 6 to 2 lead. Tyler Hansis walked and, with one out, senior Tim Beliveau hit a line drive home run over the left field wall. Senior Terry Dugdale reached on an error and Eric Howard singled to put runners on first and third. Senior Robert Graham RBI single scored Terry Dugdale and senior Robby McCormick RBI single scored Eric Howard. Souhegan scored another run on a double steal with Robert Graham scoring the sixth run of the game for Souhegan.

In the sixth inning, Terry Dugdale was hit by a pitch, Chris Chininis' drag bunt single put runners on first and second. After a fielder's choice, Robert Graham walked and Robby McCormick's single drove in two runs. Freshman Seth Learned's sacrifice fly scored Robert Graham with the ninth and final run of the game for the Sabers.

The victory put the Souhegan record at 8 wins and 7 losses and qualified the Sabers for the 2012 Division II postseason.