A Memorable Knight: Walsh, Knights Bring Home North Title

It was not the first time that North Andover’s hopes rested on the right arm of junior .

Walsh delivered, but the Knights are still far from achieving their ultimate goal.

The North Andover Scarlet Knights captured the MIAA Division 2 North Championship last night at Fraser Field in Lynn.

The Knights topped Lynn Classical by the score of 4-0.  

pitched a complete game shutout, but it was a play in the top of the third by his defense that was the turning point.

With a runner on second base and Knights clinging to a 1-0 lead, Walsh gave up a base hit right up the middle. Centerfielder David Foote hurled in a strike to home plate to get the runner at home.

“It could have been a different game if David Foote didn’t throw that kid out at home plate,” said Walsh.

“I think it was a momentum changer,” said North Andover’s head coach Todd Dulin.

Throughout the season, the North Andover defense has been what sets them apart from other teams. Lynn Classical committed four errors that North Andover took full advantage of. Three of North Andover’s four runs were unearned. North Andover did not commit a single error.

Brandon Walsh struck out 11 batters in the shutout. Dulin praised the junior for handling the pressure. “He relaxed and pitched a pretty good game,” Dulin said of Walsh.

“I was confident,” Walsh said.

Experience was a major factor in this game. The Knights kept their poise. Fourteen returning players helped anchor the team that made few mistakes and pounced on their opponent’s errors.

The Knights won the North Title back in 2009 but could not finish the job in the state tournament. Brandon Walsh commented, “We’re still hungry and want to get this state championship.”

The Knights have now won 23 consecutive games, but the team does not talk about the streak. “We haven’t really thought about it much,” said Dulin. “We’re just trying to worry about each pitch, each play,” he continued.

North Andover advances into the MIAA State Semifinals.

They will play against either Plymouth North or Somerset. One of those teams will win the Division 2 South championship tonight night in Quincy.

Braintree High School will host the Knights’ semifinal matchup against the soon to be crowned champions of the south.

That game will be on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m.

When asked if ace would get the start, Dulin responded, “I think so.” Weisman’s arm is still recovering from the when he pitched a complete game shutout. “We’ll see where his arm’s at from the other day,” said Dulin.

If Weisman is unable to go, Tyler Leavitt will most likely get the start. 

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