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The Andover Townsman periodically looks back on players and accomplishments of past seasons.
10 years ago
After being scratched from his previous start due to illness, Jeff Volinski scattered eight hits, struck out 12, and walked only two in a complete game as Andover Post 8 downed Greenfield 5-0 in the second round of the American Legion tourney. Danny Hughes drove in one run with a single and scored another on a sacrifice fly by Sean Lawton, and Chris Caverly added an RBI single and scored a run.
The Andover High trio of Michelle Leahy, Julie Marvin and Robin Young combined to lead the Northeast team to a perfect 14-0 record and a gold medal in the Bay State Games. Longtime Andover High head coach George Sullivan co-coached the squad.
Future Andover track standout Emily Shields and football starter Erik Geffken were among four Andover Elementary School students who won the MTA/Red Sox Reading Game and an opportunity to appear at a Red Sox game. Then-Red Sox stars Nomar Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez prompted the contest.
Andover's Tim Hughes and Rick Peterson were co-coaches for the New England Lightning baseball team that earned the silver medal in the 13-and-under division of the AAU baseball tourney in Kinston, N.C. The squad won the New England title.
Future Andover High football star Mike Muccio and Central Catholic hockey standout Pat McCarron, along with Mike Strock and Lino Patti were members of the New England Express 13-and-under team that played in the Cooperstown Baseball World 2000 Tournament.
Andover High star Lisa Tisbert hit .660 (13 for 20) with six RBIs to lead the Northeast team to the gold medal at the Bay State Games.
15 years ago
Future Cincinnati Reds catcher Ryan Hanigan had two RBIs as the Andover Blue downed the Andover Gold 5-1 in the Suburban Pony League tourney. Future pro golf standout Rob Oppenheim added a hit and was at .426 for the tourney. Charles Daher was 3 for 3 and pitched 61/3 innings.
Ryan Felden, 8, got to take batting practice at Fenway Park during the John Hancock Fantasy Day to benefit the Jimmy Fund.
Veteran coach Dick Collins announced that he would return as Andover High head football coach. The 63-year-old Collins had undergone quintuple bypass surgery at Deaconess Hospital in Boston in June.
Tom Clarke was 3 for 3 with three runs and pitched two innings as Andover Legion closed out its season with a 19-5 drubbing of Salem. Tom Gardner had two hits and walked twice and Todd Harris and Dave Salafia each added two more hits for the winners.
25 Years Ago
Former Andover basketball star Kip Jones, the son of Boston Celtics legend K.C. Jones, was one of 14 honored as Outstanding Scholar Athlete for Bentley College.
Tom Murray blasted a 350-foot single to score Mike Lane and give Andover Gold a 5-4 walk off win over Andover Blue to clinch the Suburban Pony League title. Murray added a stellar diving catch and Larry Aiello tossed a complete game victory.
Making his first start of the season, Dave Curtis allowed only three hits and two runs in five innings as the Andover Gold clinched the east title with a 5-3 win over Stoneham.
