The Gilford and Franklin High School softball programs have a bit of history between them. The Division III rivals from the Lakes Region routinely play each other every year – sometimes twice – and more often than not, the outcome is decided in extra innings or by just a few runs.
The two sides played right into that narrative again on Thursday.
It took until the top of the seventh, but the Golden Eagles finally threatened Franklin starter Hailey Haskins, loading the bases and taking advantage of a crucial error to plate two runs and walk away from Odell Park with a 2-0 victory.
“We’ve had a phenomenal history with them over the years of going into extra innings and tight ballgames,” Franklin Coach Skip DuBois said after the Golden Tornadoes (3-2) lost for the second straight contest. “And this was one of those games.”
With the bases full for Gilford (3-3) in the seventh, the Golden Tornadoes got the exact result they were hoping for. Gilford ripped a shot toward second base on a line that was hauled in, and Franklin had a perfect opportunity to turn the double play with the runner leaning too far off third base. The trouble came on the throw. Both the shortstop and third baseman ran to cover third and the toss to the base went right between them as two runners crossed the plate.
“It went right between my two fielders,” DuBois said. “They were both at the bag at the same time and somehow the ball just went right through and they scored their two runs and that was it. … This was a frustrating game today, and afterwards, when I was meeting with the kids, it was hard to verbalize. We were disappointed, and of course Gilford has always been one of our rivals, but it was just frustrating to not be able to come through with things you’ve practiced so hard.”
Gilford freshman Colby Butterfield was the one responsible for keeping Franklin off the scoreboard. She walked eight batters and allowed a runner to get on every inning, but worked her way out of danger each time to pick up the shutout win in her first start in the circle.
Franklin appeared poised to score in the sixth, but Lexi Boisvert helped out Butterfield by turning an unassisted double play to end the inning.
“It was one of those days where it was going to be which team blinked first,” DuBois said. “I was a little surprised by their pitcher. She was not overpowering by any means but she just had us befuddled all game long.”
After scoring 49 runs in their first three games, the Golden Tornadoes have balanced out with just a pair of runs in its last two combined – both losses to contending teams.
DuBois wasn’t alarmed. Thursday just wasn’t their day.
“When we hit the ball they made a couple of very nice plays and they came through when they needed to and basically outplayed us,” DuBois said.
Both teams will return to action on Monday with Franklin at Winnisquam and Gilford visiting Inter-Lakes.
Concord 6, Pinkerton 1
Key players: Concord – Abby Rochette (7 IP, 6 H, 9 K, 1 ER; 2-for-4, RBI), Anna LeBrun (3-for-4, RBI), Jaden Morin (2 RBI, double), Izzy Dunn (2 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: The second inning was a welcoming sign for Concord, which snapped a 22-inning scoreless drought with five runs in the frame. Morin’s double started the scoring and the Tide rode the arm of Rochette to the victory.
Coach’s quote: “This is the way we knew we could play, we just hadn’t put it all together until today. Timely hitting, flawless defense and a pitching gem by Abby in her first start in the circle this year … all against a high quality opponent.” – Concord Assistant Sandy Smith
Records: Concord 2-3; Pinkerton 5-2
Plymouth 10, John Stark 4
Key players: Stark – Sydney Nelson (4-for-4, run)
Highlights/key moments: Plymouth turned up the pressure on the Stark defense by putting the ball in play all game as Stark pitchers failed to record a strikeout in the loss.
Coach’s quote: “We had 10 hits today, which was great. Our pitching was solid but their hitters were just hitting everything we threw at them.” – Stark’s Gerry Morin
Records: Stark 1-3; Plymouth 4-2
Stevens 13, Newfound 6
Key players: Newfound – Kasey Basford (5 ⅓ IP, 4 R, 8 K), Katie Drapeau (2-for-3, triple, run), Carolina Marchand (1-for-2)
Highlights/key moments: Stevens starter Sarah Ruest pounded the strike zone, received plenty of early run support and kept the Newfound offense quiet enough to pick up the win. Both Marchand and Hayleigh Pabst recorded hits after being called up from the JV team.
Coach’s quote: “The team never gave up but just couldn’t claw their way back from the 9-0 deficit.” – Newfound’s Corey Johnston
Records: Newfound 3-1; Stevens 1-1
Pinkerton 2, Concord 0
Key players: Concord – Griffin Gilbert (7 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 7 K), Zach Miles (hit), Jake Kelly (hit), Eric Sullivan (hit)
Highlights/key moments: The Astros plated solo runs in the third and fifth innings in a low-scoring matchup to blank Concord. The Tide generated just four hits and had a couple chances to get on the scoreboard, but could not come up with the clutch hit.
Coach’s quote: (Gilbert) pitched a great game for us but we weren’t able to come up with the big hit today.” – Concord’s Scott Owen
Records: Concord 3-4; Pinkerton 5-2
Portsmouth 14, Bow 0
Highlights/key moments: Portsmouth scored nine runs in the first three innings, taking advantage of a handful of errors and added five more in the fifth to pick up the win in five innings.
Records: Bow 2-2; Portsmouth 5-0
John Stark 8, Plymouth 3
Key players: Stark – Derek Goldrick (win, 6 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 10 K; 2-for-3, 2 runs), Ryan Waterman (1-for-3, 2 RBI, stolen base), Brett Patnode (hit, RBI), Rian Queen (1st varsity hit)
Highlights/key moments: The Generals notched three runs in the first inning aided by a Plymouth error and Goldrick fought his way through a wild second inning before settling in for the win. Stark scored five runs in the final two innings to pull away.
Coach’s quote: “We had a lot of opportunities in this game and really took advantage of those late. We got a strong outing out of Derek and our defense played its second consecutive errorless game.” – Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
Records: Stark 3-1; Plymouth 2-3
Belmont 6, Fall Mountain 2
Key players: Belmont – Cole Contigiani (CG, 3 H, 15 K, 1 ER; 1-for-3. double, RBI), Kyle Minery (1-for-2, RBI), Trevor Hunt (hit, RBI, stolen base)
Highlights/key moments: The Raiders took a commanding lead with five runs in the first inning and Contigiani handled the rest. The senior allowed a run in the first, but locked in the middle innings before allowing another solo run in the fifth.
Coach’s quote: “Pitching and defense has definitely been a strength for us for sure and we’re still trying to get the bats going. … Both our wins and losses are behind us and we’re trying to move forward and play better baseball.” – Belmont’s Matt LeBlanc
Records: Belmont 2-2; Fall Mountain 3-1
Concord 18, Salem 5
Key players: Concord – Becca Proulx (5 goals), Jess Nelson (4 goals), Delana Erickson (3 goals), Christina Soule (2 goals), Nicole Toler (2 goals)
Highlights/key moments: The Tide’s offense went off in this one but Coach Steph Johnson called it a “hard-fought defensive game.” Concord received scoring from seven different players to pick up its second straight win.
Coach’s quote: “Despite not having played a game in a week due to weather, we played as a team and came away with the win.” – Concord’s Steph Johnson
Records: Concord (3-1); Salem 0-5