Northern Essex baseball, currently ranked seventh in region 21, is playing well down the stretch of the spring season.  

With a current record of 22-7 overall, the team has won its last five games in a row.  

“This team gels really well,” said sophomore first baseman Jack Aylward on the team’s chemistry. “We have a lot of good guys, and everyone has a good time together. We come in, we have fun, and just try and win ball games,” Aylward said.  

NECC’s success this year has resulted from strong offence and consistent pitching. The Knights currently boast a batting average of .328 percent, getting on base .443 percent of the time.  

Freshman short stop David Castillo has been one of Northern Essex most consistent offensive performers, with a batting average of .493 and an on base percentage of .578. Castillo has 33 hits on the year with 24 runs batted in and five home runs through 22 games played.  

“I just try to keep it simple,” said Castillo on his approach in the batter’s box. “Just follow through and go with the flow,” he added.  

Pitching has only allowed 132 hits and 91 runs in 183 innings, while striking out 223 batters. Sophomore right hander Jack Kelleher has an earned runs average of 1.27 through 49.2 innings pitched. He has struck out 73 batters through eight games.  

Knights head coach Jeffrey Mejia in his 13th year coaching the team has been pushing it towards success.  

“Don’t get complacent, don’t let off the gas, and every day, every game, every practice, just keep showing up and keep bringing the energy,” said Sophomore infielder Kade Masselli about the message that Mejia has been giving the team. “He’s hardcore, he definitely gets on you, but he loves you. You can tell he cares for you,” added Masselli.  

“Our coach, he brings us the energy every single time every inning,” Castillo added.

“As soon as anything happens, he makes sure that we’re showing full energy every time, every single pitch.” 

The Knights next game is Thursday at Massasoit Community College 5 p.m