The match came down to third doubles and varsity newcomers Emma Pedersen and Lidia Yen. Only they didn’t realize it, which was probably a good thing.
“They told us afterward they would have died had they known,” said Rebecca Killinger, a co-head coach for the Concord High girls’ tennis team.
Instead, Pedersen and Yen pulled out a win in the tiebreaker to deliver the Crimson Tide a 5-4 win at Pinkerton Academy on Wednesday. The win moves Concord to 3-1 and drops the Astros to 3-2.
“Consistency and nerves of steel won this one,” said P.J. Cistulli, Concord’s other co-head coach.
Pedersen and Yen are new to the varsity ladder this year and have struggled at times with singles play. And neither of them won their singles matches at Pinkerton, but they came through when it mattered most … even if they didn’t know it. Yen’s net play led the way in the tiebreaker and the duo earned a 9-8 (7-5) win.
The two teams entered doubles all tied up after splitting the six singles matches, but that took some work on the part of the Tide. No. 4 Abby Pope was down early, but she showed good mental toughness to claim an 8-6 win. Becky Cistulli was down, 3-0, at No. 2 singles, but she started attacking the net as the match wore on and eventually pulled out a 9-7 win. The only easy singles decision for Concord came at No. 3 where Sabrina Hart-Meyer played smart tennis and rolled to an 8-2 victory.
The Tide caught a break when Pinkerton had to forfeit the No. 1 doubles match due to an injury sustained in singles. Then the Tide made its own break to win at third doubles and take the win, but it’s only part of the growing process for Concord.
“This was too close for comfort,” Killinger said. “We have some work to do.”
Coe-Brown 9, Pembroke 0
Highlights/key moments: Coe-Brown won for the second straight match and evened its record. The best match for the short-handed Spartans came at No. 1, where Kaitlyn Thompson lost, 8-4.
Coach’s quote: “It was a very windy day and the Coe-Brown girls played strong.” – Pembroke’s David Goulet
Records: Coe-Brown 2-2; Pembroke 0-2
Exeter 1, Concord 0
Key players: Concord – Caitlyn Shea (5 IP, 1 R, 8 H, 4 K, 2 BB), Abby Rochette (1 IP, 0 H, 2 K)
Highlights/key moments: Shea limited the Blue Hawks to a single run in the third inning, but Exeter starter Kate Pigsley pitched a four-hit shutout. The Tide were shut out for the second straight game.
Coach’s quote: “It was a good pitchers’ duel. We had some chances, stranding six runners over the first three innings, but their pitcher handled us over the final four innings.” – Concord assistant coach Sandy Smith
Records: Exeter 2-2; Concord 1-2
Sanborn 7, John Stark 2
Key players: John Stark – Elizabeth Aubin (3 IP, 0 ER in freshmen debut)
Coach’s quote: “This was our team’s first game versus a quality pitcher as she mixed up her pitches very well and we never were able to get the offense going.” – John Stark’s Gerry Morin
Records: John Stark 1-1; Sanborn 2-1
Hillsboro-Deering 6, Kearsarge 3
Key players: H-D – Nicole Mooney (3-for-4, run), Jessica Peschell (2-for-4, run), Holly Madore (2-for-3, run), Gina Costello (1-for-3, run), Maggie Atkins (6 IP, 11 K, 6 BB, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER); Kearsarge – Shannon Breault (hit, run), Kate MacLeod (hit, run), Rachel Breault (2-for-3), Emily Folcik (2-for-4, double), Rachel Breault (6 IP, K, 4 BB, 6 R, 3 ER)
Highlights/key moments: Kearsarge fell behind, 4-0, after two innings, but clawed back to make it a one-run game going in to the sixth. Peschell and Mooney each scored an insurance run in the sixth for the Hillcats.
Coach’s quote: “They’re playing as a full team right now and I couldn’t be prouder of them.” H-D’s Shawn Atkins
Records: H-D 2-1; Kearsarge 0-4
Franklin 19, Raymond 0
Key players: Franklin – Hailey Haskins (10 K, 0 BB, 2 H; 3-for-5), Anna Doherty (4-for-5, 3 HR, 5 RBI), Mariah Haney (3-for-4, 4 runs), Lauren Pelletier (3-for-4, HR, 4 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: Pelletier’s three-run home run in the fourth inning was her first varsity hit.
Coach’s quote: “We were up 2-0 after two but then the bats warmed up. We’ve had a couple of three home run games over the past few years, but not one with four. Anna Doherty put on a show today.” – Franklin’s Skip DuBois
Records: Franklin 3-0; Raymond 0-3
Bishop Brady 3, Campbell 2
Key players: Brady – Jess Beeso (2 hits, game-winning RBI double), Cait Mallahan (2 hits, RBI double), Emily Santis (2 hits), Abby Santis (hit, RBI), Lily Rivera (7 IP, 0 ER, 3 K, 8 H)
Highlights/key moments: Mallahan tied the score with an RBI double and scored the game-winning run on Beeso’s double in the bottom of the seventh.
Coach’s quote: “Hard-earned win. We didn’t play our best game today but these are the games that will make us better down the stretch.” – Bishop Brady’s Freddy Rivera
Records: Brady 4-0; Campbell 2-2
Gilford 7, Belmont 5
Key players: Gilford – Brooke Beaudet (4-for-4, 2-run HR), Stevie Orton (2 hits, double), Lexi Boisvert (2 hits, 2 RBI), Jillian Lachapelle (2-run double), Lou Lacroix (2-run double), Jillian Lachapelle (first varsity win); Belmont – Julianna Estremera (2-for-4; 2 IP in relief), Shannon Davies (2-for-3)
Highlights/key moments: The Raiders turned a double play in a strong defensive effort, but the Golden Eagles’ bats were hot, leading them to their first win of the season. Beaudet and Lacroix drove in two runs each in a four-run fourth inning.
Coaches’ quotes: “We combined for 13 hits today. We have had 36 hits in our first three games this season. We knew offense would be our strength and it has pleasantly surpassed my expectations.” – Gilford’s Joan Forge
“Defensively I’m very happy with our play. Leaving the bases loaded in three innings didn’t help ourselves in the run production.” – Belmont’s Bill Clary
Records: Gilford 1-2; Belmont 3-1
White Mountains 16,
Inter-Lakes 0, 5 inn.
Key players: I-L – Jordan Durand (2 hits), Hailey Hart (hit), Cora Batchelder (hit, walk)
Coach’s quote: “We played well against a very talented and deep team.” – I-L’s Harry Blood
Records: White Mtns. 3-0; I-L 0-3
Newfound 16, Laconia 2, 5 inn.
Key players: Newfound – Amanda Johnston (3⅓ IP, 5 K; 3-for-4, 2 doubles), Mackenzie Ryan (1⅔ IP, 2 K; 3-for-4), Juliann Marchand (3-for-3, HR, triple, 3 RBI), Kasey Basford (3-for-4, triple, 3 RBI), Vicky Roman (2-for-3), Hayleigh Letourneau (2-for-2, sacrifice bunt)
Highlights/key moments: Johnston retired the first 10 batters she faced before surrenduring a hit and Ryan pitched well in relief. Marchand had a leadoff home run in the second inning to spark the offense.
Coach’s quote: “The team continues to hit well with every starter getting at least one hit and the pitching staff is doing its job.” – Newfound’s Corey Johnston
Records: Newfound 3-0; Laconia 1-2
Hopkinton 7, Newmarket 0
Key players: Hopkinton – Megan Blanchette (7 IP, 1 H, 10 K; 1-for-2, 2 RBI), Gabby Lajeunesse (2-for-4, run), Maddy McCluskey (2-for-3, run, RBI), Alexis Ferns (1-for-3, 2 RBI), Alexis Blanchette (2-for-4, RBI)
Highlights/key moments: The Hawks scored three runs in the first inning and four in the fifth, giving plenty of support to freshman Megan Blanchette, who was stellar in the circle. Alexis Blanchette made several nice defensive plays at first base.
Coach’s quote: “I was very pleased with our defensive effort and Megan was awesome in the circle.” – Hopkinton’s Dan Meserve
Records: Hopkinton 3-1; Newmarket 2-2
GIRLS’ LACROSSE
John Stark 9, Goffstown 8
Key players: John Stark – Rylee Ledoux (4 goals), Abbey Brandt (3 goals), Lexi Knapton (goal, 7 draw controls), Piper MacLean (first varsity goal)
Highlights/key moments: The Generals extended a 4-3 halftime lead to 7-4 with nine minutes remaining. The Grizzlies stormed back with four goals in the next five minutes to tie it at 8-8 before Ledoux scored the game-winning goal with just over two minutes left.
Coach’s quote: “After having the lead slip away late, it looked way too much like Monday’s Hollis/Brookline game where we lost a three-goal lead and the game. But I was really happy with the girls’ grit and determination down the stretch to pull out our first win.” – John Stark’s John Warner
Records: John Stark 1-2; Goffstown 1-2
Winnacunnet 17, MV 2
Key players: MV – Talia Dinger (2 goals), Brittany Leonard (12 saves)
Highlights/key moments: The Pride dropped their second straight game, this time to the dominant Warriors. Entering the game the Warriors had only allowed one goal this season.
Records: Winnacunnet 4-0; MV 2-2