Lembo leads Andover to win over Chelmsford
As Andover moves along this season, it’s proving to be a top Div. 1 contender.
Chase Lembo fired a complete game, allowing three earned runs while also connecting on a key two-run triple as Andover defeated Chelmsford, 8-4, on Friday afternoon at Ayotte Field.
Andover (8-3) has now defeated Central Catholic, Lawrence, and the Lions to take control in the MC Large.
“Great team effort all around today,” Andover coach PJ Farnham said. “We just played a good team and that’s a great pitcher in Braydon Gray we faced.”
After Chelmsford (7-3) grabbed the lead, 3-2, in the bottom of the fourth on a Jack Blaine sacrifice fly Andover took control.
In the top of the fifth the Golden Warriors answered for two runs as Tyler Walles drilled a two-run single to give Andover a 4-3 lead.
After Lembo came through with shutdown fifth and sixth innings, Andover gained separation. A walk and error ended Gray’s day, and Braeden Archambault connected on an RBI single to put Andover on top 5-3.
Lembo then dealt the big blow, launching a two-run triple to put Andover on top 7-3. Evan Brenner capped off the Andover offensive barrage with an RBI single, his third hit of the day.
“Chase was a great competitor for us today,” Farnham said. “Evan stepped up with some huge hits. Overall just happy with the way we played.”
In addition to Brenner, John Bessette and Walles also collected multiple-hit games for Andover.
For Chelmsford, the game represented a setback. The Lions had won five straight in the lead-up to Friday’s matchup, including sweeping the MVC Small its first time through the division.
Andover has now won seven of its last eight games, with its only defeat coming on Tuesday to rival North