Northborough, MA (May 8, 2026) – Sophomore Jack Kelleher (Haverhill) went the distance on the mound Friday morning for the top seeded NECC baseball team as they defeated CCRI by a 3-2 final score and advance to the championship round of the Region 21 Baseball Tournament. CCRI later defeated Quinsigamond, to advance to championship round with the Knights. NECC will need just one win in two chances against CCRI.

Kelleher struck out 15 batters in the game, allowing just three hits while issuing two walks. Two of the three hits allowed by Kelleher were a pair of solo home runs in the fifth inning to stake CCRI to a 2-0 lead, but he would only allow one more batter to reach base the over the final four innings.

NECC was able to tie things up in the bottom half of the sixth inning, with one out in inning Jaren Megan (Fairhaven) and David Castillo (Boston). With a 1-0 count on Jake Yngber (Miami, FL), both baserunners would execute the double steal and two pitched later Yngber sent the ball back up the middle allow both runners to score and tie the game at two.

NECC would score what would be the eventual game winning run in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Josh Jones (Hampstead, NH) earned a walk and would advance to third on a ground rule double by Megan. After Castillo was intentionally walked and the bases loaded, Jones would score from third on a failed back pick attempt by CCRI of Castillo at first base.

The Knights will head to the championship game with a 28-7 overall record looking for their fifth straight Region 21 title. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30pm on Saturday at Haverhill Stadium.