With a 6-3 win over Lynn Gautreau last night in Rowley, Newburyport Post 150 clinched a berth in the District 8 playoffs with three games still to play.
To say the Nor'Easters (14-0, 17-2-1) have been on a roll would be stating the obvious. Despite coming out flat with a couple of errors and base running mistakes, Newburyport did what it has done in every league game this season — win.
Cam Kneeland (6-0, 51/3 innings pitched, 3 earned runs, 6 strikeouts) earned the win and was relieved by Mike Sloban (11/3 innings, 0 runs) and Mike Johnson (one-third inning, 0 runs). Peter Creamer (3 for 3, 2 RBIs, 2 runs) and Joe Katin (2 for 3, 2 RBIs) turned in solid games at the plate.
Things got interesting in the seventh when the tying run came to plate for Lynn Gautreau with two outs. Despite allowing a base hit, Johnson was saved by Joe Esposito's second outfield assist of the game at home plate, which ended the game. Esposito's first assist was cut and thrown in by Tim Holland.
Even before the season, coach Tim Southall knew he had perhaps the best team he has ever coached, but never in the nine years he's been in charge has any team in District 8 finished undefeated. However, with three games left — today against Gloucester, tomorrow against Lynn Post 6 and Sunday against Haverhill — that's what the Post 150 team will be shooting for in addition to the league's No. 1 playoff seed.
"Going 14-0 in this league is pretty unbelievable, and I don't remember anyone going undefeated in District 8," Southall said. "Even to be at this point still undefeated and clinching a playoff spot is a great accomplishment.
"However, we are still two wins away from clinching the No. 1 seed in the playoffs," Southall continued, "and that's our top priority. I don't care about being undefeated as long as we lock up that No. 1 seed."
Newburyport sits a game ahead Andover, who the Nor'Easters beat last Friday, 5-3. Battling for the final two spots are four teams — Lynn Post 6, Saugus and Lawrence, all with 10 wins, and Lynn Gautreau with nine wins.
