When Dennis Pelletier moved Jeremy Aubin to the top of the order, he was hoping it would spark Aubin’s bat. But Pelletier, the John Stark baseball coach, wasn’t expecting anything like this.
Aubin has boosted his average from .190 to .330, and after delivering the tying hit in the bottom of the seventh inning in Wednesday’s game against Bow, Aubin has a game-tying or go-ahead hit in three of Stark’s last four games. The Generals (9-6) took advantage of Aubin’s roll by pulling out a 6-5, eight-inning win over Bow (9-7).
“He’s really turned it on,” Pelletier said of Aubin, “and it’s amazing how many RBI opportunities he’s had at the top of the lineup.”
Trailing 5-3 going into the bottom of the seventh, the Generals caught a few breaks when Adam Tower reached on an error, went to second on a ground ball, moved to third on a single from Brandon Langdon and scored on a throwing error, which also allowed Langdon to move to second. That’s when Aubin (2-for-4, RBI) delivered his game-tying double to force extra innings.
The Falcons had a chance to score in the eighth, but Stark catcher Ryan Rothdiener hustled to cover third on a bunt to get a key out on a bang-bang play.
Stark capitalized on that momentum in the bottom of the eighth. Rian Queen opened the inning by getting hit by a pitch, his second plunking of the day. Benjamin Stogner, a pitcher who was clocked as the third fastest runner on the team during tryouts, was put in to pinch run for Queen, Stogner’s first pinch running appearance of the season.
The move worked as Stogner took second on a wild pitch and scored on a hit from Aaron Robertson … the player who switched from the leadoff spot to No. 6 in the order when Aubin was moved.
“When we were coming off the field after (the top of the eighth), I was trying to pump up Aaron, telling him he was going to get the game-winning hit,” Pelletier said. “And then he did it.”
Conner Lorenz (2-for-4, RBI, run), Mac Kimball (2-for-3, RBI, two runs) and Brendan Winch (three walks, two runs) led the offense for Bow, which scored two in the second, one in the third and two in the fourth to take a 5-0 lead. Stark answered in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run home run from Derek Goldrick, and the Generals added a single run in the sixth.
Goldrick, who had college scouts watching him, also started the game on the mound for Stark and worked six innings, striking out three and allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits. Brett Patnode earned the win in relief, giving up one hit, one walk and no runs in two innings.
It was the last game of the season for Bow, which should qualify for the 12-team Division II playoffs. Stark will finish its schedule Thursday at home against ConVal (6-9).
“This win puts us in a good momentum spot,” Pelletier said. “If we can get this next win I think we’ll get a first round home game, and being at home has a made difference for us, so that would be big.”
Pembroke 11, Pelham 4
Key players: Pembroke – AJ Gagnon (7 IP, 4 R, 6 H; 2-for-4, triple, 3 runs, 2 SB), Quinton Paquin (3-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 runs, BB)
Highlights/key moments: The Spartans scored three in the first and four in the second on their way to a season-closing win at home.
Records: Pembroke 3-13; Pelham 3-12
Coe-Brown 2, Sanborn 0
Key players: Coe-Brown – Brody Ashley (7 IP, 8 K, 0 BB, 3 H), Lucas McCusker (2-for-3, RBI), Noah Wojtkowski (2-for-3, RBI),
Highlights/key moments: McCusker drove in Coe-Brown’s run in the fourth inning and he started the rally that added an insurance run in the seventh. Ashley did the rest, and he did it efficiently, using just 82 pitches to work seven innings.
Coach’s quote: “We haven’t scored a lot of runs, so it was huge to get that complete-game shutout from Brody.” – Coe-Brown’s Sean Ashley
Records: Coe-Brown 8-8; Sanborn 7-8
Goffstown 3, Laconia 0
Key players: Laconia – Ryan Dee (6⅔ IP, 8 K, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER), Dominick Vaillancourt (hit), Bradley Weeks (hit)
Records: Laconia 2-13; Goffstown 12-4
Belmont 12, Franklin 0, 5 inn.
Key players: Corey Derosier (5 innings, 2 hits, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts), Cole Contigiani (2-for-2, 2 doubles, single, 6 RBI), Doug Price (2-for-2, 2 singles, 2 walks, 2 stolen bases, 2 RBI), Cam Magerer (1-for-1, 2 stolen bases, 2 runs).
Highlights/key moments: Belmont had no trouble in its first road outing in its last five games, scoring early and often on its way to a 14th straight victory.
Coach’s quote: “We played an all-round complete game. Corey pitched great and we made the plays behind him.” – Belmont’s Matt LeBlanc
Records: Belmont 14-2; Franklin 6-9
Somersworth 11, Winnisquam 7
Key players: Winnisquam – Jake Snow (HR, 3 RBI) Bryce Corey (2 hits)
Coach’s quote: “We dug ourselves a 7-0 hole after two innings that we couldn’t climb out of. On the bright side, we won the last five innings 7-4.” – Winnisquam’s Fred Caruso
Records: Winnisquam 4-12, Somersworth 6-10
Mascenic 13, Hillsboro-Deering 2
Key players: H-D – Gunner Hagstrom (2-for-3, run), Brad Sampson (run), Jack Medina (1-for-1)
Highlights/key moments: A tough outing for the Hillcats began with nine runs allowed in the first inning. Hagstrom and Sampson each scored runs and Medina recorded his first varsity hit.
Records: Mascenic 11-5; H-D 1-14
Pittsfield 14,
Portsmouth Christian 10
Key players: Pittsfield – Eli Johnson (2-for-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI), Devin Bedell (3-for-5), Jesse MacGlashing (3-for-5), Kyle Stockman (2-for-5, 3 RBI), Cam Darrah (2-for-5)
Highlights/key moments: Johnson launched a pair of homers to lead the Panthers to their sixth win in five games.
Records: Pittsfield 13-4; Portsmouth Christian 6-10
John Stark 9, Bow 0
Key players: Stark – Alyssa Robichaud, Jocelyn Dimond, Taylor McDonald, Delani Dowst
Highlights/key moments: Stark seniors Robichaud, Dimond and McDonald combined to go 5-for-10 and score five runs. Dowst earned the complete-game victory, striking out six and walking one.
Coach’s quote: “Our three seniors put in a lot of hard work all season, so for the team to get a win for them in their last home game of their high school careers, I’m sure it will make a sweet memory they can look back on.” – Stark’s Gerry Morin
Records: John Stark 6-10; Bow 2-14
Pembroke 4, Pelham 1
Key players: Pembroke – Brianna Connolly (2-for-4), Olivia Langevin (2-for-4), Olivia McCarty (key bunt), Stephanie Berube (winning pitcher)
Highlights/key moments: Pembroke broke on to the scoreboard with four runs in the third inning.
Records: Pembroke 12-4; Pelham 13-3
Belmont 12,
Bishop Brady 11, 8 inn.
Belmont 7, Bishop Brady 2
Key players: Belmont – Julianna Estremera (8 IP; 2-for-5, 2 runs), Nicole Antonucci (2-for-3), Taylor Lavallee (3-for-4), Jordan Lavallee (4-for-4, 3 runs), Mackenzie Donovan (2-for-3, 2 runs), Lizzie Fleming (3-for-5); Game 2 – Lizzy Fleming (win, 5 IP, 2 runs; hit), Shannon Davies (2-for-3), Donovan (2-for-3), Antonucci (hit), Lavallee (hit)
Highlights/key moments: Estremera pitched the first game of a doubleheader and took a six-run lead into the seventh inning. Brady battled back, but Belmont added three more runs in the eighth to earn a win. In Game 2, Belmont built its lead with runs scored in the first, second, fourth and fifth innings.
Coach’s quote: “Long day for the girls, but they dug deep and played well against a top team. Well deserved wins for them.” – Belmont’s Bill Clary
Records: Belmont 12-4; Brady 13-3
Winnisquam 16, Somersworth 4
Key players: Winnisquam – Madysin Skeats (3-for-3, 3 RBI), Cailey Clogston (3-for-3, 4 runs, RBI), Molly Tinker (win, 5 IP, 4 K, 2 walks, 4 H, 2 ER), Ashley Deshaies (2-for-3, 2 runs)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears scored 10 runs over the second and third innings to take a commanding lead.
Records: Winnisquam 10-5; Somersworth 0-15
Franklin 11, Laconia 1
Key players: Franklin – Meghan Johnston (7 IP, 8 K, 2 H, 2 BB; 2 hits, 2 runs), Anna Doherty (3 hits, 2 runs, RBI), Hailey Haskins (2 hits, 2 runs), Mackenzie Weather (2 hits, 2 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: The Golden Tornadoes flashed a lot of leather in the road win – Doherty picked off two runners, Johnston turned a pretty double play and freshman Fayth Kaspszak had two outstanding plays at third.
Coach’s quote: “It seems odd to say that we scored 11 runs and did not have a good day at the plate, but most of our hits were of the bloop variety and we were kept off balance all day by their pitching. However, we did make some outstanding defensive plays that were exciting to see.” – Franklin’s Skip DuBois
Records: Franklin 9-5; Laconia 2-13
Newfound 2, Stevens 1
Key players: Newfound – Amanda Johnston (7 IP, 7 K, 4 H; walk-off RBI), Kylee MacDonald (3-for-4, triple, double, run), Ashlee Dukette (run)
Highlights/key moments: With the game tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh, MacDonald led off with a double and Kasey Basford singled to move her to hit. Johnston ended it with a line drive that plated MacDonald.
Coach’s quote: “The team came to play and it took a team effort.” – Newfound’s Corey Johnston
Records: Newfound 12-5, Stevens 8-7
Prospect Mountain 6, Gilford 0
Key players: Gilford – Brooke Beaudet (double)
Highlights/key moments: Beaudet produced the lone hit for Gilford. Colby Butterfield was on the mound and gave up five hits, two strikeouts and no walks.
Records: Prospect Mountain 9-6; Gilford 9-7
Bishop Brady 17, Belmont 6
Key players: Brady – Bryce Johnson (6 goals, assist), Aidan Plumpton (5 goals, 5 assists), Rich Sullivan (2 goals, 3 assists), Cooper Nadeau (2 goals, assist), Colby Garcia (2 goals), Cooper Johnson (2 assists)
Highlights/key moments: Belmont stayed within two goals in the first quarter, but Brady scored nine in the second quarter to take control.
Coach’s quote: “We played well after the first quarter and the offense did a great job of spreading the field. Aidan did a great job of feeding the ball to his open teammates today.” – Brady’s Justin Loring
Records: Bishop Brady 8-5; Belmont 2-11
Hollis-Brookline 15,
Merrimack Valley 2
Key players: MV – Talia Dinger (goal), Abby Grandmaison (goal)
Highlights/key moments: The Pride lost its eighth straight game against a tough Hollis-Brookline team.
Records: MV 3-10; Hollis-Brookline 9-5
Hopkinton 18, Coe-Brown 3
Key players: Hopkinton – Lyndon Flanagan (4 goals, 4 assists) Amelia Bassett (5 goals), Ellie Morrall (2 goals, assist), Taylor Signor (2 goals), Ivanna Doval (2 goals), Fiona Beane (goals, assists), Chloe Wood (goals), Anna Hoffman (assist), Elizabeth Berliner (5 saves), Cathen Hall (3 groundballs, 3 takeaways); Coe-Brown – Maddie Swansburg (12 saves), Kendall Nester (2 goals)
Highlights/key moments: Flanagan led the Hawks to their fifth straight win to close the regular season.
Records: Hopkinton 11-3; Coe-Brown 1-11