Super 8 Playoffs

03.07.09 - Lowell, Mass. - Super 8 high school hockey playoffs took place at Tsongas Arena in Lowell. Winchester beat Central Catholic and Catholic Memorial beat Hingham to advance to the state semifinals.

-Will

Hard cross-check in the Winchester game. Winchester forward Chris Hanson hit CC forward Shawn Bradley.
More big hits. 
Hingham goalie Nate Eagan makes a save. 
Goalie collision.
Coach's son and team assistant Anthony Messuri looks back at defender Jonathan Troiano during the national anthem. 
Winchester goalie Mike Messuri makes a save. 
More collisions. 

Red Sox Practice

10.12.08 - Boston, Mass. - I worked my first shift at the Herald on Sunday (hooray!) and was sent to Red Sox practice (surprise). Nabbed this cool shot of Alex Cora fielding the ball in the afternoon sun which ran in color inside the sport section. Below are a few of the photos from practice and a feature from the people sleeping outside for tickets to Game 3.

-Will

Sailors from the USS Anzio talk while waiting in the ticket line. 
Jon Lester practices in the outfield. 
Alex Cora, Josh Beckett and Dustin Pedroia watch batting practice. 

ALDS Game 3 - Red Sox v. Angels

10.05.08 - Boston, Mass. - Suffice to say, last night didn't go as expected. The Fenway Faithful turned out, Papelbon pitched, Ellsbury tore it up, and the Angels won. Well, Angels' catcher Mike Napoli won, going 3-5, scoring four of the team's five runs and hitting two home runs off Josh Beckett (3 runs, 3 rbis, 2 hrs). 

Game 4 tonight,

Will 

Mike Napoli after home run #1.
Dustin Pedroia ranges.
Garret Anderson breaks his bat.
Kevin Youkilis gives 100% sliding into first to get Anderson out.
Vladimir Guerrero swings, all the way around.
Jacoby Ellsbury throws in from right field. 
Ellsbury overruns the base in the seventh.
Pedroia tags out Torii Hunter trying to take second on a hit.

Red Sox Clinch Playoffs

9.23.08 - Boston, Mass. - To think, I almost forgot. On Tuesday the Sox clinched their fifth playoff berth in six years and in short, they celebrated. I got to celebrate, too, but not before I took some pictures. 

-Will

Fly out to Alex Cora.
Elation!
More of that.
I was trying to avoid the champagne, but apparently, Sox fans wanted to be sprayed. Pedroia accommodated.

More of the spraying.
The bullpen cop gets well-soaked. Courtesy of Aardsma, Delcarmen and Lopez. 
The faithful. 
Lester ruins an interview.
Papelbon gave away all the bases. Not sure how much it costs, but there were bases for the game the following night, no worries.