They’ve both been to the top of the mountain, and they’ve both been thrown into the inevitable reloading phase. The question this year for the Concord High and Coe-Brown softball teams is can they maintain their spots among their divisions’ elite despite massive turnover.
They’ve consistently been two of the best softball programs in the area, with Coe-Brown the two-time reigning Division II champion and Concord coming off its ninth final four appearance in the last 11 seasons. But last spring, both teams graduated six starters, leaving nearly as many question marks as inevitable black flies as the temperatures warm.
“What the team lacks in varsity game experience, they make up in athleticism and an outstanding work ethic,” Coe-Brown Coach Tim Tenasco said.
Concord’s Duke Sawyer said practically the same thing of his squad. “I think the first third of the season, we have things to work on. We have to find our legs and see where everyone fits in. We’re very athletic, but a lot of them haven’t played together. We have a bunch of good athletes, but we’re not really a team yet.”
Only three starting positions see familiar faces for Concord, and even that could change. The Tide returns senior Franny Redlon behind the plate for a third season, but Redlon could also slide up the line to fill a vacancy at first base. And senior Sam Clapp, a captain along with Redlon, is the incumbent at third.
The bonus is the Tide returns its entire pitching staff in juniors Caitlyn Shea (7-3, 2.64 ERA) and Delia Barry (6-4, 2.94) and sophomore Izzy Dunn (1-0, 4.80). They’re joined this year by freshman Abby Rochette, giving Concord one of the deepest cores of throwers around.
Offensively, Concord graduated a trio of players who all hit over .400, but does return its next two most productive hitters: Redlon (.371) and senior Kelly Varnell (.327).
Returning players Zoe Honigberg (OF) and Emmily Attocknie (IF) will be counted on more this year, along with a talented group of newcomers as the Tide tries to continue its strong run of deep tournament appearances.
Two-time defending champion Dover, which beat the Tide in the semifinals last year, also lost a lot to graduation, but perennial power Salem, along with Spaulding, Bishop Guertin and Alvirne should be among the top teams in Division I.
“We have lots of holes to fill,” Sawyer said, “but I think we will.”
In D-II, Coe-Brown’s returning starting trio is sophomore Drew Stevens (middle infielder), senior Cortney Lewis (1B/C) and junior Catie Langdon (OF).
The Bears will be looking to replace the battery that led them to the titles, with three juniors vying for the ball in the circle: Mallory Perron, Emily Hughes and Callie Heselton. The trio is part of a nine-strong junior class that looks to carry the Bears along with three seniors and a pair of sophomores.
“The 2016 Lady Bears will be looking to continue their success with another run in the Division II playoffs,” Tenasco said, adding that his team’s motto is: One play, one inning, one game.
Goffstown, last year’s runner-up, along with Milford, Windham and Sanborn are expected to challenge to knock Coe-Brown from its perch.
But don’t discount the area’s other D-II teams.
Pembroke reached the semifinals last year before falling to Coe-Brown, and though the Spartans graduated their No. 1 pitcher, they do return senior Lexi Palmisano to the circle along with six other veteran starters.
Merrimack Valley put together a .500 season last year before bowing out in the first round, but the Pride returns six starters, and boasts five pitchers on its roster. “Our pitching and infield defense should be a strength for us,” Coach Sam York said.
John Stark missed out on the postseason last year, but Gerry Morin moves from assistant to head coach and has high hopes that the Generals, with six returning starters and a strong freshman core, will return to relevance. “Our team is looking to have a huge bounce-back season this year,” Morin said.
While the area was without a final four team in Division III last year, it still had its share of top competition, with three teams going 13-4 or better.
Hopkinton and Franklin were two of those teams, both going 14-4 and reaching the quarterfinals. And both teams are looking to go further this year.
In Hopkinton, Alexis Blanchette, a first team all-state first baseman last year, moves into the circle to take over the pitching duties and is joined by a core of returning starters in seniors Lily Scammon (IF/P), Kasey Smith (IF/C) and Caroline Flood (IF), and sophomore Gabby Lajeunesse (IF/P).
With a roster full of versatile players, the Hawks will likely have quite a few looks in the early going. “There will likely be a multitude of different lineups early in the season as the Hawks try to find the strongest combination for a playoff push,” Coach Dan Meserve said.
Franklin, with Skip DuBois entering his 20th season at the helm, has five starters returning, but lost three of its top four hitters and D-III’s Player of the Year in Alexis Colpack. The positive is the Tornadoes return their pitching, led by junior Hailey Haskins, senior Kaylee Marshe and sophomore Meghan Johnston.
“Rebuilding is not the correct term this year, but rather restructuring,” DuBois said.
Belmont earned the No. 5 seed last year, going 13-4, but was upset in the second round by Winnisquam, the area’s other quarterfinalist. Both teams are looking to progress this year with solid veteran cores.
Senior Megan Prescott returns to the circle for the Raiders, leading a team with five returning starters. Winnisquam returns six starters and expects solid offensive production – led by first team all-stater Lauren Bolstridge – and defense to back freshman pitcher Talia DeBlasie and junior Molly Tinker, who gained some varsity experience in the circle last year.
Bishop Brady returns six starters and gained three players via transfer, giving the Giants the pieces for improvement from last year’s .500 season. Kearsarge is in a similar position, returning five starters off a .500 team with hopes of improvement.
Bow and Hillsboro-Deering, two teams that missed the playoffs a year ago, have new coaches – Rick Ladd at Bow and Shawn Atkins at H-D – and new aspirations to reach the postseason.
As it has the last three seasons, the championship runs through Campbell, while North Country teams Berlin and White Mountains (the three-time runner-up) should be in the mix at the top, as well.
Sunapee is the hands-down favorite to repeat in Division IV.
Locally, Pittsfield is coming off a winless season, but the young Panthers gained invaluable experience and return eight starters. Pittsfield remains young, however, as five of those veterans started as middle schoolers on varsity a year ago.
(Sandy Smith can be reached at 369-3339 or ssmith@cmonitor.com.)