The Franklin softball players are finding out right now, just like you. The game they won on Tuesday, 12-0 against Belmont in six innings, it was the 300th win for their coach, Skip DuBois.
“I didn’t really tell anyone, the girls don’t even know, they’ll find out when they read it in the paper,” Dubois said. “The focus should be on them. They just won a big game and they played outstanding. I’m 67-years-old, I’ve received my due through the years. Mostly this is a personal thing.”
DuBois kept the low-key theme for his post-game celebration, “just sitting down with my wife, she brought me some Kentucky Friend Chicken, which I don’t get very often.” But the coach does deserve a little more recognition.
Dubois coached youth football, middle school basketball and junior varsity girls’ basketball at Franklin before taking over the softball team in 1997. He’s posted a remarkable 300-85 record over the last 20 years and he’s quick to credit everyone but himself.
“I’ve been blessed with wonderful kids and wonderful parents, I haven’t had a parent issue in many, many years. And I still have a great time with the kids,” DuBois said. “And I’ve had a great assistant who’s been with me for 19 years, Dave Therrien.”
The Golden Tornadoes have been to five championship games under DuBois. All those came in a five-year span (2006–2010) that saw Franklin win four titles (2007–10). He’s also sent more than a dozen players to play at the college level, the most recent example being Lexi Colpack, a freshman at Thomas College who leads the team in on-base percentage (.475) and stolen bases (10) and is second in average (.383) and slugging (.519).
“We’re as proud of that as we are of anything else,” DuBois said. “Apparently we influence their lives enough and instill enough enjoyment of the game that they want to go to the next level, and they’re good enough to play at the next level.”
This year’s Franklin team had to replace Colpack and three other key seniors, which also meant replacing three of their top four hitters. the new-look Tornadoes have been up to the challenge and are a perfect 7-0 after Tuesday’s win.
“We thought that we would be very competitive and we expected the shoes to be filled defensively but we didn’t expect the offensive power that we’ve received,” DuBois said. “We had 15 hits today. Now that’s not the norm, that’s the most we’ve had, but we’ve had a lot of girls with very little experience step in and do a remarkable job, so we’re tickled.”
Franklin opened the scoring in the top of the third when Hailey Haskins (two hits) led off the inning with a single and Anna Doherty (two hits) followed with a home run to centerfield. Hanne Nichols (two hits) then singled and came home on a triple from Breanna Styles (three hits) to make it 3-0.
That lead went to 5-0 in the fifth after a two-run single from Ryley Haskins. The Tornadoes broke it open in the sixth when Megan Johnston (two hits) led off with a single, Hailey Haskins had a two-run single, Styles had a two-run single and seven runs eventually crossed the plate.
Kaylee Marshe earned the pitching win, striking out 11 while allowing three hits and two walks.
“This is probably the most intense group of overachievers that I’ve had, and that’s how I view them,” DuBois said. “They’re all good athletes, but some of them are performing above and beyond. The nice thing is we’ll have a great game from a couple of them and the next game somebody else fills those shoes. And the team the camaraderie, and the support for each other, has been remarkable.”
From coaches’ reports
Timberlane 5, Concord 0
Key players: Concord – Haley Munroe (hit), Izzy Dunn (hit), Sam Clapp (hit), Abby Rochette (2 IP, 0 hits); Timberlane – Kate Hoadley (winning pitcher, 13 K), Ky Fitzpatrick (2-run HR)
Highlights/key moments: Fitzpatrick homered in the first inning for the Owls, giving them an early lead to work with. Hoadley’s dominance in the circle helped Timberlane to its sixth shutout of the year.
Coach’s quote: “Timberlane played like one of the favorites to win it all in Division I this year. Kate Hoadley kept our hitters off-balance through the whole game.” – Concord’s Duke Sawyer
Records: Concord 3-7; Timberlane 7-1
Plymouth 7, John Stark 1
Key players: John Stark – Jocelyn Dimond (2-for-3, run)
Highlights/key moments: Plymouth got on the board early and maintained its lead en route to its eighth-straight win. John Stark has lost five in a row.
Records: John Stark 1-5; Plymouth 8-0
Milford 17, Merrimack Valley 1
Key players: MV – Ann Bascom (2 doubles), Katelyn Hill (RBI single)
Highlights/key moments: Hill’s single brought in the only run for the Pride during a tough afternoon.
Records: MV 2-5; Milford 5-2
Bishop Brady 18, Bow 0
Key players: Bishop Brady – Emily Manning (4 innings, 1 hit, 3 Ks), Lily Rivera (3 hits, home run, 3 RBI, 3 runs), Abby Santis (3 hits, 3 RBI, 2 runs), Emily Santis (3 hits, 2 runs, RBI), Jamie Cookingham (2 hits, double, 2 RBI), Cait Mallahan (2 hits, double, run), Gwen Tupman (2 hits, double, 2 RBI, run), Aniecia Vargas (triple, 2 RBI), Becca Olson (hit), Maddie Rines (hit).
Highlights/key moments: A 12-run fourth inning blew open a 6-0 game. Manning and Rivera combined to allow one hit in five innings.
Records: Bishop Brady 3-2; Bow 1-4
Kearsarge 16, Hillsboro-Deering 3
Key players: Kearsarge – Maddie Folcik (home run, 3 hits, 5 RBI), Ashley Thompson (5 IP, 5 hits, 1 BB, 7 K); H-D – Emma Moore (4 IP; double), Melissa Veicht (2 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: The Cougars took an early lead thanks to RBI singles from Maddie Folcik, Emily Folcik and Payten Hebert in the first inning and a two-run homer from Maddie Folcik in the second. For the Hillcats, Moore hit a double off the fence and Veicht threw out a runner at second from behind the plate in addition to two RBI.
Coach’s quote: “With our starting pitcher Maggie Atkins out until further notice with an injured leg, our third basemen Emma Moore stepped up and answered the call on short emergency notice. We can’t ask for more than that.” – H-D’s Shawn Atkins
Records: Kearsarge 3-5; H-D 1-5
Mascenic 5, Hopkinton 2
Key players: Hopkinton – Maddie Eborn (first varsity hit), Alexis Blanchette (2 RBI), Kasey Smith (strong defense)
Highlights/key moments: The Hawks looked rusty early after nearly two weeks between games, as Mascenic scored two runs in the first inning and single runs in the second, fifth and sixth. The Hawks attempted a rally with two runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Coach’s quote: “We didn’t play with much intensity today and we need to get that back. We will.” – Hopkinton’s Dan Meserve
Records: Hopkinton 5-1; Mascenic 4-0
Winnisquam 16, Mascoma 1
Key players: Winnisquam – Talia DeBlasie (14 K, 2 BB, 5 hits, 1 unearned run; 2-for-4, RBI, 3 runs), Lauren Bolstridge (4-for-6, RBI double), Lindsay Raymond (2-for-4, 2 run double), Shannon Goodwin (first varsity hit, 2 run double)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears scored six runs in the first and four runs in the second to take an early lead and tacked on four more runs in the seventh, securing a decisive victory over the Royals.
Coach’s quote: “All in all it was a decent game.” – Winnisquam’s Kevin Dame
Records: Winnisquam 5-1; Mascoma 0-7
Hollis-Brookline 12, Concord 8
Key players: Concord – Steph Resnick (5 goals), Becca Proulx (2 goals), Maggie Connolly (goal)
Highlights/key moments: The Tide trailed 6-1 at halftime, but three unanswered goals by Concord cut the deficit to three later in the half. The Cavaliers scored some insurance goals to secure the victory.
Coach’s quote: “We came out slow in the first half, but made a significant improvement in the second half. All members of the team made an impact in the improved game by playing together through the transition up through the attack.” – Concord’s Steph Johnson
Records: Concord 2-4; H-B 3-4
Coe-Brown 9, Bishop Brady 5
Key players: Bishop Brady – Emma Windsor (9 saves), Ashley Gering (goal)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears snapped a two-game losing streak with the win at home against Brady.
Records: Coe-Brown 3-3, Bishop Brady 1-5
Kearsarge 10, Derryfield 8
Key players: Kearsarge – Anya Nowicki (7 saves), Eleanor Angus (3 goals, 1 assist), Anna Stowell (3 goals, 1 assist), Leslie Angus (2 goals), Jackie DeAngelis (goal), Maicy Hansen (goal). Derryfield – Maddie Kochanek (4 goals)
Highlights/key moments: Kearsarge handed Derryfield its first regular-season loss in two years. Derryfield was undefeated before losing in last year’s final to Laconia, and the it was 5-0 headed into this game in North Sutton.
Records: Derryfield 5-1, Kearsarge 5-1
Plymouth 8, Pembroke 1
Key players: Pembroke – Emmi Ferrera, Jaden Russell
Highlights/key moments: Ferrera and Russell teamed for Pembroke’s only win, an 8-5 decision at No. 1 doubles.
Coach’s quote: “We were missing out number one player, so all the girls had to move up. This was a challenge for the girls, but they did well.” – Pembroke’s Dave Goulet
Records: Plymouth 4-4, Pembroke 1-5
Bow 8, Stevens 1
Key players: Bow – Laura Zheblik (8-1), Casey Day (8-2), Claire Mulvaney (8-3), Sarah Zecha (8-0), Julia Currier (8-0), Zheblik/Mulvaney (8-1), Day/Currier (8-3), Nandita Kasireddy/Zecha (8-0)
Highlights/key moments: The Falcons swept the doubles and won five of six singles matches to remain undefeated.
Records: Bow 5-0; Stevens 0-6
Monadnock 7, Kearsarge 2
Monadnock 5, Kearsarge 3
Key players: Kearsarge – Morganne Flinkstrom (8-3 and 8-0 wins at No. 4 singles), Ellie Mellott (8-4 win at No. 6 singles in second match), Flinkstrom/Andrea Cutts (8-3 win at No. 2 doubles in first match), Flinkstrom/Miranda Bonin (8-2 win at No. 2 doubles in second match).
Highlights/key moments: Flinkstrom’s strong afternoon wasn’t enough to prevent the doubleheader sweep for the Cougars.
Coach’s quote: “It’s not easy to play the same person a second time, but every match showed improvement in the results, showing me that the players are learning from their play.” – Kearsarge’s Laura Joslin-King
Records: Kearsarge 1-6; Monadnock 4-1
Concord 81, Salem 64
Key players: Concord – Grace Devanny (1st 100 in 3.19), Gillian Bennett (1st 800 in 2:41), Michaella Conery (1st 1,600 in 5:09, 1st 3,200 in 11:18), 4×400 (1st), Kat Jepson (1st high jump at 4-8), Marissa Neal (1st pole vault at 4-8), Yelena Beausoleil (1st discus at 83-11)
Highlights/key moments: Salem won nine events to the Tide’s eight, but Concord displayed more depth and swept all the distance events, winning the dual meet.
Coach’s quote: “Kat Jepson and Marissa Neal qualified for states in jumping events, so hopefully the weather warms up for them and they can jump even higher. Michaella crushed (the 1,600) again dropping her mile time by another three seconds.” – Concord’s Hayden Daly
Coe-Brown third, Merrimack Valley fourth
Key players: Coe-Brown – Eleanor McDonough (1st 3,200 in 11:48), Christen Gallant (1st pole vault at 10-0), Kathleen Collins (1st shot put at 31-6, 1st shot put at 114-2), Kate Clinch (1st 400 in 1:11), Summer Barnes (2nd high jump, 3rd 1,600, 3rd long jump), Molly Swansburg (2nd discus, 3rd shot put, 3rd javelin); MV – Kristie Schoffield (1st 800 in 2:22, 1st 1,600 in 5:05, 1st triple jump at 32-4), Kaitlyn Covell (1st 100 hurdles in 17.0, 1st 300 hurdles in 48.5), 4×400 (2nd), Sarah Carter (2nd shot put), Asia Grace Hanson (2nd javelin, 4th 800)
Highlights/key moments: Schoffield won the 800 and the 1,600 against two of the best distance runners in the state and also anchored the 4×400, but Souhegan (79) won the quad-meet hosted by the Pride, defeating Kennet (74), Coe-Brown (61) and host MV (52). Covell sweeping the hurdles was another highlight for the Pride.
Coach’s quote: “It was an awesome meet. Great performances from all teams.” – MV’s Bob Mullen
John Stark fifth
Key players: John Stark – 4×100 (1st), Hannah Nelson (3rd javelin), Erin Scott (4th 100 hurdles, 4th 300 hurdles), Anna Ishak (4th 400), Jalen Beliveau (tied 4th high jump)
Highlights/key moments: John Stark (41) finished last in a five-team meet at Hanover. Lebanon (185) dominated the meet, defeating Hanover (98), Thetford, Vt. (93.33) and Plymouth (92.66).
Pembroke sixth
Key players: Pembroke – Madison Bennett (3rd 200, 4th triple jump), Hannah Serafin (4th 100, 5th 100 hurdles), Julia Valotto (4th long jump), Emily Carignon (4th shot put)
Highlights/key moments: The Spartans (48) had several top five finishes from their freshmen in a seven-team meet at Sanborn. Sanborn (139.5), ConVal (120) and Goffstown (118) topped the team standings.
Hopkinton second
Key players: Hopkinton – Sarah Nadeau (1st 1600, 800), Megan Ellsworth (1st 100), Addy Bourgelais (2nd shot put), Claire Reidy (2nd discus), Andra McGlashan (3rd 1600), Emily Ehrmanntraut (3rd long jump); Concord Christian – Rachel Simmons (1st 200, 3rd shot put), Emily Purtell (1st 3200, 2nd 800, 3rd 100); Franklin – Sydney Ericson (1st 100 hurdles, 2nd 200 hurdles), Lindsey Borges (3d 100 hurdles)
Highlights/key moments: Nadeau’s two wins and a first-place finish for Ellsworth led the Hawks to 64 points and second place behind Gilford (99). Concord Christian (27) and Franklin (14) finished third and fourth, respectively.
Belmont first, Kearsarge second
Key players: Belmont – Jasmine Syed (1st 400 in 1:07, 3rd 200), Alice Riley (1st 1600 in 5:45), Kylie Donovan (1st 100 hurdles in 17.5), 4×400 (1st), Alexus Day (2nd 400), Jessica Hutchinson (2nd 800), Kaitlyn Delisle (1st long jump at 12-5, 3rd 100); Kearsarge – Cerys Wheatley (1st 300 hurdles in 1:03, 2nd 100 hurdles), Maddie Neilsen (1st 200 in 28.6, 2nd high jump), Patricia Jewell (1st 3200 in 12:49), Courtney Lauster (1st high jump at 4-4, 1st triple jump at 27-8), 4×100 (1st), Kelsey Lipscomb (2nd 100, 2nd 200), Megan Roy (1st javelin in 89-10, 2nd shot put), Maggie Lee (2nd 1,600, 4th 800), Maddie Cook (3rd 1600)
Highlights/key moments: The Red Raiders (164.5) defeated Kearsarge (164) by half a point to defend their home track in a five-team meet. Portsmouth Christian (67), Prospect Mountain (58.5) and Woodsville (24) rounded out the team scores.