BELMONT – Doug Price stood at the plate with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Belmont teammate Caleb Drouin leaned away from second base. The score was tied at four as the Red Raiders catcher took his stance, needing only one hit to decide the game for his team.
It was a big situation – one that hadn’t come up too often during Belmont’s hot start to the season.
“You always worry, with a team, that the tight ones are going to be really tight and they’re going to fold,” Coach Matt LeBlanc said. “These guys, they have a lot of mental toughness. They’ve been in a lot of tight situations over the years.”
They aced this one. Price shot an opposite-field single down the right-field line, allowing Drouin to score the winning run in a 5-4 victory over rival Franklin.
“They show up to play ball, and it’s a good group to coach,” said LeBlanc, whose team improved to 5-1. “They were focused all day, they were taking good hacks, and we knew that they were going to break through, certainly.”
Belmont’s mental toughness was matched by the team in the opposite dugout. The Red Raiders took a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth, but Franklin (3-3) got one back in the sixth and shut Belmont down in order in the bottom half to go into the seventh needing only one run.
The Golden Tornadoes got the rally started right away, as Dylan Cooper led off with a pinch-hit walk and pinch-runner Dylan Bryson stole second and went to third on a bunt. A strikeout brought Belmont one out away, but Tyler Arnold drilled a single that flew inches over third baseman Cole Contigiani’s glove and scored Bryson with the tying run.
“That’s one of our definite plusses this year, that we’ve grown,” Franklin Coach Dave Joyce said. “Last year and the year before, that’s where we collapse and we don’t fight back and we let these guys walk away out of here (winning) 7-2.”
Belmont’s answer began when Drouin was plunked by a pitch with one out. Price was up next, and after a wild pitch moved Drouin to second, was awarded a chance to win the game with one swing.
“I’m looking for any pitch, Coach is telling me, ‘Hit the ball where it’s pitched,’ ” Price said. “I was a little nervous, but I knew I could hit it.”
Price did just that, going with a pitch on the outside part of the plate to deliver the hit that allowed Drouin to cruise home ahead of the throw to the plate.
“That was a great pitch by Harrison (Clark) there, at the end,” Joyce said. “(Price) went with it.”
Belmont, which had outscored opponents 48-11, jumped in front in the third inning when Corey Derosier and Drouin hit back-to-back two-out RBI doubles for a 2-0 lead. Franklin trimmed the gap to one on an error in the fourth, then pulled even in the fifth when Arnold had his first game-tying hit of the day, hammering a two-out double into the left-center field gap to score Bryan Sweet from third.
“Two huge, clutch hits … he’s doing a great job,” Joyce said of his No. 3 hitter. “He’s seeing the ball well, squares it up, hits it hard. Nice line drives, like you saw today.”
The game’s seesaw nature continued with Belmont tacking on two more in the fifth – again with two outs. Derosier led off with a single and Price singled two batters later, taking second when the throw went to third in a late try to get Derosier. That brought up Josh Guptill, who singled to center to bring both runners home.
Guptill played a crucial role for the Red Raiders in the next inning – this time on the mound. Patrick Kaplan (double) and TJ Laramie opened with hits off of Contigiani (five innings, five hits, three strikeouts, two earned runs), prompting LeBlanc to give the ball to Guptill with runners on the corners.
The senior limited the damage, getting a groundout (which scored the tying run) and strikeout before getting out of the inning when Laramie was out trying to score the tying run on a passed ball.
“Josh is a good ballplayer. He’s new to Belmont, and he’s certainly made a good impression so far,” LeBlanc said of the transplanted South Carolinian. “He’s a gamer … he just adds to our lineup. It’s a lot of fun to have a kid like that.”
The outcome could have far-reaching implications on the Division III landscape. Franklin, which got six strong innings from Garrett Fleming against a good Belmont lineup, has proven itself to be a tough team on the heels of a 5-11 season, with three losses against teams that are a combined 14-3.
“We’re much better than we were last year,” Joyce said. “I look at Belmont, I think they’re a top-five team right now … (and) we’re right there, we’re two hits away from walking out of here with a win.”
Joyce’s praise for the Red Raiders is backed up by their wealth of experience and big bats throughout the lineup. The season to this point has painted Belmont as a top contender in the division, and wins like Monday’s will only help going forward.
“They hung in there, and they could have hung their heads. Instead, they stayed focused and they stayed motivated,” LeBlanc said. “It’s ‘next man up,’ and looking to drive the ball where it’s pitched. I’m real proud of them, they’re a good hitting group.”
(Drew Bonifant can be reached at 369-3340, abonifant@cmonitor.com or on Twitter at @dbonifant.)
From coaches’ reports
Concord 10, Winnacunnet 5
Key players: Concord – Jared Grondin (6 IP, 3 Ks), Sean Fallon (2 hits, RBI), Christian McClellan (2 hits, 3 RBI), Kurtis Stadnicki (3-for-3, 2 doubles, RBI), Stephan Moran (9 putouts)
Highlights/key moments: The first inning started with a bang when Ethan Dupre threw out a runner at the plate on a ball hit to the outfield. McLellan’s 2-run double broke a 3-3 tie in the fourth inning, and Kurtis Stadnicki struck out the side with two runners on and no outs in the seventh inning.
Coach’s quote: “Great experience playing at Doubleday field in Cooperstown, N.Y. All 15 players contributed in the win.” – Concord’s Scott Owen
Records: Concord 3-2; Winnacunnet 0-6
John Stark 4, Sanborn 3
Key players: John Stark – Egan Nickerson (7 IP, 4 K; run, stolen base), Leif Mailloux (2-for-4, home run), Noah Greene (double, RBI)
Highlights/key moments: John Stark trailed 3-2 heading into the bottom of the 7th. Nickerson singled, then stole second. A walk put two runners on and a sacrifice led to a throwing error by the defense, allowing the tying run to score. Sanborn intentionally loaded the bases with no outs and, on a pickoff attempt to first base, a balk was called, allowing the winning run to cross the plate.
Coach’s quote: “(I) have to say, this is the first time I have been part of a walk-off balk. Our team played well today, but was just having trouble stringing hits together. We made some things happen in the seventh and our perseverance paid off.” – John Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
Records: John Stark 3-2; Sanborn 2-3
Laconia 12, Pembroke 2
Key players: Pembroke – Connor Locke (double), Chase Ranfos (double)
Highlights/key moments: Lebanon won its first game of the year with a convincing victory over Pembroke. The Spartans look to get on track with two home games during the rest of April vacation.
Coach’s quote: “We had much better bats today. We look to put both offense and defense together on Wednesday.” – Pembroke’s Joshua Coughlin
Records: Pembroke 0-4; Lebanon 1-4
Stevens 9, Kearsarge 2
Key players: Kearsarge – Sam Lick (sac bunt, 2 HBP), Zach Mattos (RBI single)
Highlights/key moments: Kearsarge jumped out to a 2-0 lead after one inning, but Stevens spread out its scoring to take a 5-2 lead going into the sixth before four more runs brought it to the final. Kearsarge stranded 10 runners in scoring position on the day.
Coach’s quote: “(We) never could get the big hit we needed and Stevens pounded the ball. We need to bounce back tomorrow with a better effort.” – Kearsarge’s Travis Pelletier
Records: Kearsarge 4-2; Stevens 2-1
Monadnock 17, Winnisquam 2
Key players: Winnisquam – Jack Decormier (2-run single)
Highlights/key moments: A long game had a few bright spots, including the varsity pitching debuts of Christian Serrano and Jake Snow.
Coach’s quote: “Not too much to say about this one. Glad it only counts as one loss.” – Winnisquam’s Fred Caruso
Records: Monadnock 4-0; Winnisquam 1-4
Portsmouth Christian 17, Pittsfield 3
Key players: Pittsfield – Cam Darrah (hit), Casey Clark (hit), Jessie Slater (hit), Noah McGlashing (hit), Ben Stephens (hit)
Highlights/key moments: Pittfield struggled against a top team in Division IV, committing six errors and walking 17.
Coach’s quote: “I thought the boys battled hard at the plate tonight against the best pitcher in Division IV. Unfortunately, we didn’t do anything else very (well) . . . We need to work harder on our focus and on throwing strikes, our defense can’t defend walks. We need to forget about this game and bounce right back against another tough opponent on Wednesday.” – Pittsfield’s Rob Rockman
Records: Pittsfield 4-3; Portsmouth Christian 5-1
Concord 10, Merrimack 6
Key players: Concord – Caitlyn Shea (win, 5 shutout IP, 3 hits allowed), Nicole Cacciola (3 hits, 3 RBI), Emmily Attocknie (3-for-3, 2 RBI), Sam Clapp (2 hits, 2 runs)
Highlights/key moments: Shea pitched five shutout innings in the circle, getting help from a great running catch in center by Zoe Honigberg and a perfect throw to home to get out the runner trying to tag and score. Concord’s bats also backed Shea with 16 hits.
Coach’s quote: “Concord played really well for five innings. Much-needed win.” – Concord’s Duke Sawyer
Records: Concord 2-4; Merrimack 2-4
Stevens 11, Kearsarge 8
Key players: Kearsarge – Maddie Folcik (2-run home run), Samantha Dow (triple)
Highlights/key moments: Folcik totaled three RBI on three hits, including a home run in the first. Kate MacLeod had an RBI, scoring Sadie Lockwood, but Stevens had two players combine for five hits and four RBI.
Records: Stevens 1-3; Kearsarge 2-4
Bedford 15, Concord 3
Key players: Concord – Dan Lebell (goal), Brad Hicks (goal), Tanner Rollins (goal), Drew Livingston (assist), Ethan Donlon (15 saves)
Highlights/key moments: Bedford continued its roll against Concord, scoring early and often on the Tide. The Bulldogs have won five of their first six while Concord’s two-game winning streak was snapped.
Records: Concord 3-3; Bedford 5-1
John Stark 19, Keene 6
Key players: John Stark – Jake Blanchette (5 goals, 3 assists), Ryan Gordon (4 goals, assist), Parker McQuarrie (3 goals, assist), Nick Aleksonis (2 goals, 2 assists)
Highlights/key moments: An all-around offensive effort helped Stark to an early lead and its first win of the season.
Coach’s quote: “It was good to get the win. Hopefully we can build some momentum off of this one.” – John Stark’s Howard Roever
Records: John Stark 1-3; Keene 0-5
Monadnock 9, Hopkinton 3
Key players: Hopkinton – Owen Kanter (2 goals, 7 ground balls), Prince Mansah (goal, assist), Jake Tomlinson (assist), Derek Amoth (14 saves)
Highlights/key moments: Monadnock built a 5-2 lead at halftime and kept up the pressure on Hopkinton’s defense.
Coach’s quote: “We struggled to maintain possession on offense and were unable to contain their explosive offense.” – Hopkinton’s Deacon Blue
Records: Monadnock 3-0; Hopkinton 2-3
Hanover 15, John Stark 10
Key players: John Stark – Danielle Galli (3 goals), Lizzie Brandt (3 goals), MacKenzie Nase (good defense)
Highlights/key moments: Stark fell behind early, but recovered to keep the score close in the first half. Hanover won more draw controls and opened up a lead that Stark couldn’t recover from.
Coach’s quote: “We did not play our best on defense and we struggled to create set offense. We will need to get better to beat the top teams in the division.” – John Stark’s John Warner
Records: John Stark 2-3; Hanover 4-1
Oyster River 9, Hopkinton 8
Key players: Oyster River – Rose Mroztka (6 goals), Gabby Haug (11 saves); Hopkinton – Lyndon Flanagan (goal, 4 assists), Amelia Bassett (2 goals, 2 assists), Tess Masci (2 goals, assist), Ellie Morrall (2 goals), Hannah Bassett (goal), Cassidy Donohoe (7 saves)
Highlights/key moments: Oyster River earned its fourth win of the season with a close victory over Hopkinton. Hopkinton’s next game comes next Monday when it hosts Gilford.
Records: Hopkinton 1-4; Oyster River 4-1
John Stark 3, Keene 0
Key players: Robert Blouin (good setting), Griffin Caswell (good setting, Aedan McCarron (good middle hitting), Robbie Yelle (good middle hitting), Tyler Bossart (good outside hitting), Cody Lemay (good outside hitting)
Highlights/key moments: Stark dominated the first two matches, winning, 25-18 and 15-13. Keene corrected in the third set to take a lead of 22-14, but Yelle’s serving and inspired team play allowed to Stark to win, 26-24.
Coach’s quote: “We were forced to make some adjustments based on our lack of players, but the boys responded beautifully. Not having a libero resulted in Griffin, Aedan and Robbie all needing to take on additional responsibilities and they handled whatever Keene threw at them. The hard work with everyone on this team is translating into really fast and exciting volleyball. Fun to watch.” – John Stark’s Dave Simeone
Records: John Stark 3-3; Keene 2-2