BILLERICA — Nolan Dawson was simply unflappable against the Falcons. The Billerica High junior spun a brilliant two-hit shutout, as the No. 13 Indians defeated No.
20 Minnechaug, 2-0, in a Div. 2 round of 32 baseball game Sunday. Billerica (14-7) advances to play No.
4 Milford or No. 29 Hingham in the round of 16. “It’s the name of baseball, pitching, timely defense and hitting,” said Billerica coach Joe Higgins.
“We got a tremendous, tremendous performance from Nolan Dawson. A complete game two-hitter. It was awesome.
” A right-handed hurler, Dawson delivered a quality start, pitching seven strong innings, holding the Falcons to just two hits and a walk, hitting a batter, while striking out five. “It feels great,” said Dawson, 18. “Throwing strikes, making plays, that’s all we had to do.
We knew what we had to do.” “He had his three pitches working,” said Higgins. “But the main thing with him is he got ahead of hitters.
He was always up on the count. Had a good fastball, nice little deuce and a changeup. It was all working today.
” Billerica jumped on the scoreboard early courtesy of Gus O’Gara’s trademark hustle. The Indians’ shortstop laced a leadoff single to shallow right, aggressively taking second after the ball got past right fielder Tim Harrigan. He stole third just a couple pitches later before rumbling home on a sacrifice fly to right by John Taft, taking a 1-0 lead at the end of the first.
“We’ve got a leadoff hitter that’s .
