PENACOOK – First, the Coe-Brown baseball team tore up the basepaths. Then the Bears dealt the damage with their bats.
Opposite approaches, but the same result. Whether running wild or swinging away, a Bears team that expects to score plenty this season didn’t have much trouble racking up the runs Friday afternoon.
Coe-Brown looked every bit a team coming off of a trip to the Division II semifinals, using a three-run sixth inning to take the lead for good en route to a 10-4 victory over Merrimack Valley.
The Bears (2-1) cranked out four extra-base hits – all coming in the last three innings – and 10 hits overall, with Joel Boulanger (3-for-4, two runs, two RBI) leading the charge from the third spot in the lineup.
“We hit really well today,” Boulanger said. “One through nine, I’d say we all hit the ball really well, we’ve been working on that at practice a lot.”
They didn’t hit right away, though. Neither team did, as the two squads worked through two scoreless innings before Coe-Brown scored three unearned runs in the third – a spurt MV (1-2), paced by Cole Laliberte’s two-run double, matched in the bottom half.
The tie lasted one inning. With one out, Boulanger pulled a drive over the right-fielder’s head, racing around the bases for an inside-the-park home run and the go-ahead run before the Pride could relay the ball into the infield.
“Initially, I was hoping it would go over the fence,” Boulanger said with a smile. “But once I saw him keep running and running, that was nice.”
The floodgates were open, and the Pride didn’t have an answer for Coe-Brown’s resurgent offense. Max Judge followed with a double to score Jayson Cleveland (who singled) and Bryce Twombly and make it 6-3 before the inning was over.
In the sixth, Andrew Therrien – the ninth hitter – drilled the first pitch of the inning into the left-center field gap for a triple, and after a sacrifice fly and error, Boulanger blasted another shot, this time to center to score Alex Bussiere and make it 8-3.
The Bears tacked on two more runs in the seventh when Judge and Brendan Eaton came home on Bussiere’s single.
“It took us a little while to get going today, I was getting a little nervous there when it was tied,” Coach Sean Ashley said, “because I expect a lot out of our lineup this year, and up until that point we hadn’t generated a lot. Obviously, Joel’s hit kind of ignited us.”
Bussiere and Judge drove in a pair of runs each for the Bears, who got multiple hits from one player but at least one from eight of nine starters.
“What you saw is pretty much what we’ll have, hopefully, throughout the year,” Ashley said. “Our bottom of the lineup is pretty strong, too.”
The Bears’ hard-hitting ways in the later innings were preceded by a fleet-footed style that saw them take a total of nine bases on either stolen bases or catcher’s indifference. The disruptive approach paid off in the third, when the Bears loaded the bases on a single and pair of walks.
An error on Noah Dubois’s grounder down the third-base line allowed a pair of runs to score, and Boulanger scored another to make it a three-run inning.
“We just gave them too many outs. That’s the bottom line,” Pride Coach Sean Wheeler said. “We gave them a few extra outs here and there and a couple of balls dropped in that we couldn’t get to.”
MV starter Joe Dougherty pitched six innings, allowing eight hits and striking out two.
“I thought Joe pitched a heck of a game for us,” Wheeler said. “First start of the year, and he earns another one. Located the ball pretty well, we didn’t play clean enough defensively. It’s that simple.”
Dylan Andrews allowed six hits while fanning two in six innings for Coe-Brown. Laliberte and Matt Ostrowski went 2-for-3 for MV.
From coaches’ reports
Concord 13, Bishop Guertin 8
Key players: Concord – Matt LaTourette (2-for-4, 2 RBI), Griffin Gilbert (2-for-4, 2 runs), Kurtis Stadnicki (2-for-4, 2 RBI), Christian McClellan (double, 3 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: Down 4-0 after one inning and 5-1 after two, Concord chipped away before taking a 7-5 lead in the top of the sixth with a four-run rally led by Sean Fallon’s two-run single. The Cardinals tied it in the bottom half, but Concord took the lead for good with six runs in the seventh, a burst led by a Stephen Moran two-run single.
Coach’s quote: “Very proud of the team. They just kept competing and competing.” – Concord’s Scott Owen
Records: Concord 2-0; BG 1-1
John Stark 3, Lebanon 0
Key players: Egan Nickerson (complete game 2-hitter, 12 Ks, 0 BB, 79 pitches, 70 strikes; 1-for-2 batting), Derek Goldrick (2-for-3, RBI triple, threw out runner at home from left), Adam Tower and Lief Mailloux (double each)
Highlights/key moments: Stark plated two runs in the first on a balk and error. The Generals added a third run on Goldrick’s triple.
Coach’s quote: “Nickerson threw a gem today for us. To only throw nine balls in a complete game shutout shows just how great his control is.” – Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
Records: Stark 1-0; Lebanon 0-1
Goffstown 14, Pembroke 4, 5 inn.
Key players: Pembroke – James Fisher (1-for-2, 2-run home run)
Highlights/key moments: Things were back-and-forth early as Goffstown held leads of 2-0, 2-1, 6-1 and 6-4 before scoring six in the bottom of the fourth to break things open and force the 10-run rule into effect. Connor Locke, Chase Ranfos and A.J. Gagnon added hits for the Spartans.
Records: Pembroke 0-1; Goffstown 1-1
Belmont 7, Berlin 3
Key players: Belmont – Corey Derosier (4.1 IP, 2 K, 2 ER), Josh Guptill (2.2 IP, Save, 6 K), Caleb Drouin (triple, single, steal, 3 runs), Doug Price (single, 3 RBI, 2 steals), Matt Pluskis (2 singles, RBI, 2 runs, steal)
Highlights/key moments: Belmont got another strong effort on the mound, this time from Derosier and Guptill. The two combined to strike out eight and only walk one. Belmont also had a great day on the basepaths, stealing eight bases on the day.
Coach’s quote: “Just another good pitching performance for us. Our bats came alive, we had some loud outs when we made contact and hopefully this will lead to a good season.” – Belmont’s Matt LeBlanc
Records: Belmont 2-0; Berlin 0-2
Conant 12, Bishop Brady 1
Key player: Brady – Garrett Andrus (pitched well)
Highlights/key moments: Andrus threw strikes, but Brady committed seven errors behind him in a rough fielding day for the Giants.
Coach’s quote: “As well as we played Wednesday, we played that badly today. But take nothing away from Conant; they put the ball in play and they made all the plays.” – Brady’s Skip Foy
Records: Brady 1-1; Conant 1-1
Somersworth 4, Hillsboro-Deering 0
Key players: H-D – Dominic Downs (pitched strong in defeat with 5 Ks), Brad Sampson and Ryan Hays (both had hits)
Highlights/key moments: The Hillcats hung strong against a powerful Somersworth team.
Coach’s quote: “No one likes to lose, but really happy with the boys. Starting four sophomores and a freshman against one of the best teams and coaches in the state, these boys hung tough and never quit.” – H-D’s Michael Donnell
Records: H-D 0-3; Somersworth 2-0
Kearsarge 7, Fall Mountain 2
Key players: Kearsarge – Jake Vierzen (7 IP, 2 ER, 4 K; 2 hits, 2 runs, RBI), Bo Underhill (2 hits, run, 2 RBI), Nick Pellerin (2 hits)
Highlights/key moments: After giving up two runs in the top of the first, Kearsarge scored one in the first and two in the third to take a 3-2 lead. Three runs in the fourth opened the game up for Kearsarge and an insurance run in the sixth closed the game out.
Coach’s quote: “Jake pitched a real solid game and pounded the strike zone.” – Kearsarge’s Travis Pelletier
Records: Kearsarge 2-0; Fall Mtn. 1-1
Campbell 7, Winnisquam 0
Key players: Winnisquam – Mike Lowrey (double), Jake Snow (single)
Highlights/key moments: Campbell scored four runs in the first three innings, taking advantage of Winnisquam’s inability to throw strikes. After Snow singled to start the second, Campbell pitching retired 18 Bears in a row.
Coach’s quote: “There’s a reason they’ve won 33 in a row.” – Winnisquam’s Fred Caruso
Records: Winnisquam 0-2; Campbell 2-0
Concord 2, Bishop Guertin 1
Key players: Concord – Caitlyn Shea (complete game, 5 hits, 8 Ks; game-winning single) Franny Redlon (game-tying sacrifice fly), Haley Munroe (first varsity hit, double); BG – Dakota Bilodeau (single, run), Bridget Soraghan (7 Ks, 2ER)
Highlights/key moments: After giving up an unearned run in the first inning, the game stayed 1-0 into the sixth, when Concord scored both its runs. Abby Rochette led off with a single, Munroe worked a full-count walk and Zoe Honigberg sacrificed the runners to second and third. Redlon hit a fly ball to center to score the tying run and Shea singled up the middle to score Munroe with the eventual winning run.
Records: Concord 1-1; BG 2-1
Coe-Brown 4, Merrimack Valley 3
Key players: MV – Ann Bascom (7 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K), Sam Hodkinson (3-for-4, RBI), Lindsay Balch (2-for-4, RBI), Brooke Palmer (2-for-2)
Highlights/key moments: Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth, MV had runners on first and second with no outs but Coe-Brown induced a strikeout and two pop-outs to escape the threat. In the bottom of the seventh, the Bears’ center fielder snagged a line drive by MV’s Cassie Carey and doubled a runner off second to end the game.
Coach’s quote: “We cannot commit eight errors in a game and hope to come away with a win. Ann really battled out there today to keep us in the game.” – MV’s Sam York
Records: Coe-Brown 1-2; MV 0-3
John Stark 12, Lebanon 0
Key players: John Stark – Kendall Keim (3 hits, 2 runs), Jocelyn Dimond (4 runs), Kali Kolehmainen (2 hits, 2 runs)
Highlights/key moments: John Stark dominated from the outset of the game, cruising to its first win on the season. Dimond reached base in each of her four at-bats and Kolehmainen record a triple and single with her two hits.
Coach’s quote: “The team has put in a lot of hard work in the preseason, so to see that pay off with that first win of the season makes it worthwhile.” – John Stark’s Gerry Morin
Records: John Stark 1-0; Lebanon 0-1
Goffstown 7, Pembroke 6
Key players: Pembroke – Danielle Parent (multiple RBI), Alexis Palmisano (complete game)
Highlights/key moments: Parent had a big game at the plate while Palmisano pitched very well. Kayla Paquin and McKenzie Leblanc each recorded their first varsity hits.
Coach’s quote: “It was a very hard fought game by both teams coming down right until the final play in the bottom of the seventh.” – Pembroke’s Ashley Gladu
Records: Pembroke 1-1; Goffstown 2-0
Belmont 4, Berlin 0
Key players: Belmont – Megan Prescott (complete game win), Taylor Lavallee (2-for-3, double, 2-run homer)
Highlights/key moments: Prescott improved to 2-0, allowing just one walk and four hits while striking out eight. Lizzie Fleming had her first varsity hit for Belmont.
Records: Belmont 2-0; Berlin 1-1
Conant 7, Bishop Brady 1
Key players: Bishop Brady – Becca Olson (3 hits, RBI), Abby Santis (2 hits), Cait Mallahan (triple)
Highlights/key moments: Conant and Brady were tied at one until the fifth inning, when four Conant batters walked and timely hitting broke the game open.
Coach’s quote: “A well-played, clean game by Conant, which took advantage of bases on balls to get the victory.” – Bishop Brady’s Freddy Rivera
Records: Bishop Brady 1-1; Conant 1-1
Franklin 13, Farmington 1, 5 inn.
Key players: Kaylee Marshe (5 IP, 15 K, 2 hits), Anna Doherty (2 hits)
Highlights/key moments: The Golden Tornadoes had just five hits (two from Doherty and one each from Hailey Haskins, Mariah Haney and Rachel Capri), but they used seven walks, two hit batters and multiple fielder’s choice situations to score their 13 runs and end things early with the 12-run rule.
Records: Franklin 2-0; Farmington 0-3
Somersworth 10,
Hillsboro-Deering 6
Key players: H-D – Maggie Atkins (7 innings, 11 strikeouts, 3 walks), Emma Moore (3-for-4), Danielle Armstrong (2-for-3, 2 RBI), Nicole Willis (2-for-3, RBI), Melissa Veitch (3-for-3)
Highlights/key moments: The Hillcats battled the Hilltoppers to a 6-6 tie going into the final inning, but a four-run seventh decided the game for Somersworth.
Records: H-D 1-2; Somersworth 1-2
Hopkinton 7, Monadnock 1
Key players: Hopkinton – Alexis Blanchette (7 IP, 1 ER, 7K; 2 doubles, 2 runs, 3 RBI), Caroline Flood (2 hits, RBI), Alexis Ferns (Triple, single, RBI), Sam Brewer (good defense in center)
Highlights/key moments: Monadnock scored in the second inning to go up 1-0, but the Hawks loaded the bases in the top of the third and Blanchette cleared them with a double before scoring later in the inning. With one run in the fourth, fifth and sixth, Hopkinton padded the lead while Blanchette dominated in the circle.
Records: Hopkinton 3-0; Monadnock 0-2
Kearsarge 6, Fall Mountain 2
Key players: Kearsarge – Ashley Thompson (7 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs, 7 Ks), Samantha Dow (RBI double), Maddie Folcik (RBI double)
Highlights/key moments: Not only did Thompson pitch well, she also had three extra-base hits for the Cougars, including a home run. Dow helped jump start Kearsarge with her RBI double in the second. Emily Folcik and Farrah Wilson contributed to the Cougars’ cause with solid outfield defense.
Records: Kearsarge 1-1; Fall Mountain 0-2
Campbell 7, Winnisquam 5
Key players: Winnisquam – Marissa DeBlasie (Hit, 2 walks, 2 runs), Lindsay Raymond (2-RBI double), Laurn Bolstride (RBI), Cailey Clogston (RBI double), Talia Deblaise (6 IP, 6 H, K)
Highlights/key moments: Campbell opened a two-run lead in the second inning, but Winnisquam was able to tie things up in the bottom half. Each team traded a run in the third, and in the fifth Campbell scored four to take a 7-3 lead. Winnisquam added two more late, but it wasn’t enough to knock off the three-time defending state champions.
Coach’s quote: ”We just can’t give extra chances to a team like that. We played well enough to beat almost anyone else in the state.” – Winnisquam’s Kevin Dame
Records: Winnisuqam 1-1; Campbell 2-0
Pembroke 15, John Stark 9
Key players: John Stark – Parker McQuarrie (3 goals, 3 assists), Jake Blanchette (3 goals, 2 assists), Ryan Gordon (3 goals), Jacob Fitts (dominant facing off)
Highlights/key moments: Stark jumped out to a 5-1 first-quarter lead, but Pembroke took advantage of some man-up opportunities and came storming back for its second straight win to open the season.
Records: Pembroke 2-0, John Stark 0-2
Derryfield 15, Merrimack Valley 3
Key players: MV – Dylan Arrant (goal, assist), Chase Mercier (strong midfield and faceoffs), Josh Farmer (strong defense)
Highlights/key moments: MV struggled to break through against the Cougars.
Records: MV 1-1; Derryfield 2-0
Coe-Brown 16, Belmont 4
Key players: Coe-Brown – Ben Heyliger (5 goals), Ben Watson (4 goals), Gage Desrosiers (goal, 75 percent on faceoffs), Jacob Switzer (7 saves)
Highlights/key moments: Coe-Brown earned its first program win in its second year of varsity lacrosse. The team built a 9-2 lead at halftime and kept up the pressure in the second half.
Coach’s quote: “They’ve been working hard in the offseason and this win came down to great team ground balls. Everybody had a role and took responsibility.” – Coe-Brown’s Ryan Hanavan
Records: Coe-Brown 1-0; Belmont 0-1
Monadnock 13, Bishop Brady 6
Key players: Bishop Brady – Rich Sullivan (2 goals), Chris Thurber (2 goals, assist), Bryce Johnson (2 goals, 2 assists)
Highlights/key moments: Monadnock opened a 4-0 lead in the first quarter and the Giants couldn’t catch up. Facing a 7-3 deficit at halftime, the Giants were shutout in the third but were able to score twice early in the fourth to cut the lead to five. Monadnock settled in behind good midfield play and solid goaltending to give Brady its first loss of the year.
Records: Bishop Brady 1-1; Monadnock 1-0
Laconia 8, Hopkinton 3
Key players: Hopkinton – Kiernan Byrne (great defense), Derek Amoth (16 saves), Gerry Donahue (assist, five ground balls, great defense), Tim Jones (2 goals), Sam Schuster (goal); Laconia – Kyle Chiasson (4 goals, assist)
Highlights/key moments: Laconia jumped out to an early lead and stayed there thanks to ball control and a disruptive defense.
Coach’s quote: “I give a lot of credit to our defense and goalie for keeping a very strong Laconia offense to just eight goals.” – Hopkinton’s Deacon Blue
Records: Hopkinton 1-1, Laconia 1-0
Kearsarge 10, Plymouth 5
Key players: Kearsarge – Colton Wilhelm (3 goals, assist), Justin Norris (3 goals, assist), Zander Hauck (goal, assist), Lucas Muzzey (goal, assist)
Highlights/key moments: Kearsarge held a 5-1 lead after the first quarter and 6-1 at halftime. Plymouth rebounded in the second half, but were never able to get the deficit closer than five the whole game.
Coach’s quote: “I thought we started today’s game with tremendous energy, which was our focus coming out of game one.” – Kearsarge’s Zach Matthews
Bishop Guertin 17, Concord 4
Key players: Concord – Becca Proulx (2 goals), Steph Resnick (goal), Delana Erickson (goal)
Highlights/key moments: Erickson played well for the Tide before falling to injury. Maddy Audet played well at defense, Olivia Branch was good in the midfield and Christina Soule was effective at attack.
Coach’s quote: “After a long preseason, it was great to get our first game of the season. It was a tough game, but we will learn from this experience and build from this to get ready for our next game.” – Concord’s Steph Johnson
Records: Concord 0-1; Bishop Guertin 2-0
Kearsarge 15, Plymouth 2
Key players: Kearsarge – Eleanor Angus (4 goals, 3 assists), Leslie Angus (3 goals), Jackie DeAngelis (2 goals, 3 assists), Anna Stowell (2 goals, assist), Brie Von Beren (2 goals)
Highlights/key moments: Kearsarge opened the game fast, and ended the day five different multi-goal scorers on the day.
Records: Kearsarge 2-1; Plymouth 0-2
Oyster River 8, Bishop Brady 6
Key players: Bishop Brady – Emily Tremblay (15 saves), Abby Tremblay (2 goals), Anastasia Carroll (good defense)
Highlights/key moments: Oyster River and Bishop Brady played tight throughout the game, with strong defense by Carroll and Emily Tremblay’s good day in net leading the way. Rose Mroczka scored five goals on the day for Oyster River.
Records: Bishop Brady 0-2; Oyster River 2-0
Boys’ Tennis
Coe-Brown 8, Plymouth 1
Key players: Coe-Brown – Gareth Owen (8-4 win at No. 1), Brian Gordon (8-0 win at No. 2), Jared Carlson (8-5 win at No. 3), Tom Mellor (8-0 win at No. 4), Nate Griffiths (8-4 win at No. 5), Tyler Holman (8-3 win at No. 6)
Highlights/key moments: Coe-Brown won all of its singles matches and only dropped one doubles match to capture the win over Plymouth.
Records: Coe-Brown 4-0; Plymouth 2-2
Gilford 7, Bow 2
Key players: Bow – Owen Molind (8-2 win at No. 6)
Highlights/key moments: Three-time defending champion Gilford dropped just one game on the first four singles courts as they calimed the win during singles with five wins. Molind had the best day for Bow, winning his singles match and teaming with Jack Olson (a tough 8-6 loser at No. 5) for an 8-3 win at third doubles.
Records: Bow 2-1, Gilford 4-0
Coe-Brown 8, Plymouth 1
Key players: Coe-Brown – Holly Roman (8-6 win at No. 2), Tayla George (8-6 win at No. 3), Bailey Docko (8-3 win at No. 4), Cameron Chick (8-3 win at No. 5), Jillian Gordon (8-2 win at No. 6)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears extended their season-opening winning streak to four games with the result on their home courts. Roman teamed with Jessica Miles for an 8-5 win at first doubles, Dock and George won 8-4 at second doubles and Chick and Megan Wimsatt claimed an 8-3 win at third doubles.
Records: Coe-Brown 4-0, Plymouth 1-3
Bishop Brady 6, Kennett 3
Key players: Bishop Brady – Sydney Herrington (8-0 win at No. 1); Ravalika Damerla (8-0 win at No. 2), Manu Komma (8-3 win at No. 5), Taylor Hood (8-4 win at No. 6)
Highlights/key moments: With their complete lineup in place for the first time in a week, the Green Giants snapped a three-game losing streak with the win at Memorial Field. Brady took a 4-2 lead after singles and clinched the match with doubles wins from Herrington and Damerla (8-0 at first doubles), and Ellen Owsowitz and Komma (8-4 at third doubles)
Coach’s quote: “Our young players made positive strides today with Taylor Hood and Manu Komma victorious in singles, and Ellen Owsowitz and Manu Komma winnings at third doubles.” – Brady’s Lee Herrington
Records: Bishop Brady 2-3, Kennett 1-2
Kearsarge 5, Stevens 4
Key players: Kearsarge – Andrea Cutts (8-4 win at No. 3 singles), Morganne Flinkstrom (8-2 win at No. 4), Miranda Bonin (8-4 win at No. 5), Flinkstrom/Bonin (8-1 win at No. 2 doubles), Ellie Mellott/Morgan Carafa (8-4 win at No. 3)
Highlights/key moments: Kearsarge lost its No. 1 and 2 matches, but it came down to the No. 3 doubles match after the teams traded wins, and Keasarge came out on top with an 8-4 win.
Records: Kearsarge 1-1; Stevens 0-3
Keene 3, Coe-Brown 1
Key players: Coe-Brown – Liam Clinch (14 assists), Parker Aube (10 digs)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears played tough at home, but lost their second straight match on the young season.
Records: Coe-Brown 1-2, Keene 2-1