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Haverhill loses first game to Swampscott

Saturday, April, 12 By Hector Longo
Staff writer

Haverhill High found the usual friendly terrain at Haverhill Stadium a bit bumpy, committing four costly errors in a 9-4 non-league loss to Swampscott.

"They put it in play, and we kicked it," said Hillies coach Chip Dunn. "They hit it pretty well, and we didn't do a good job of stopping it, catching it or throwing it. I don't think our guy pitched badly at all."

Taylor Robinson, 6-0 a year ago, lost his junior debut but probably deserved a better fate. The righty went six innings, allowing five earned on 10 hits. He walked one and struck out seven.

All four of the miscues meant runs and extended innings.

Meanwhile, Haverhill got an RBI single by Bobby Shirling (three hits) and a second run (unearned) by the time the visiting Big Blue had put all 10 runs on the board.

Peter Byron sliced a run-scoring triple to right and Ronny Rosario chipped in a sac fly for the other Hillie runs.

"We haven't hit the ball yet," said Dunn, whose club scraped by winless Newburyport, 3-2, in the opener. "That's a worrisome thing in a short season like this."