The nine wins in its last 11 games certainly helped the cause. The combination of pitching and defense that allowed just 2.4 runs per game during the entire season didn’t hurt its chances either. And even Thursday’s 6-4 loss to Spaulding, while disheartening, didn’t steal the joy away from the Concord baseball team’s return to the postseason for the first time since 2014.
After collecting just 10 wins over the last two seasons, the Tide wrapped up its campaign this year at 12-6 after a narrow loss to the Red Raiders on a rainy afternoon at Memorial Field.
While Spaulding (13-5) denied Concord the chance to finish out the year on a six-game winning streak, it couldn’t deny the Tide a top six finish to the season in Division I.
“I would say we’ve exceeded our expectations,” Concord Coach Scott Owen said. “But we have a lot left in us. … We haven’t been in the playoffs the last two years, but I’ve liked our competitiveness and resiliency all year. I think that these guys believe that we can go as far as anyone else.”
That confidence stems from the Tide’s season as a whole. Behind the arms of players like Griffin Gilbert, Noah Wachter, Jake Kelly and Jacob Knowles, Concord tossed four shutouts and didn’t surrender more than six runs in any game. All six of the Tide’s losses came by two runs or less, including tight games against Pinkerton (13-5) and undefeated Exeter (17-0).
“We had six losses by 10 runs (combined), so we know we can play with anybody,” Owen said. “We have very solid pitching and we have very good defense. I don’t think anyone wants to play us. If we hit a little bit, we’re very dangerous.”
The Tide won’t know for sure what it’s made of until June 1, when it opens the D-I tournament on its home field against an opponent to be determined. But for players like Kelly, and many others on Concord’s roster who’ve never tasted the postseason, they can hardly wait.
“Going to leave it all on the field,” said Kelly, who tossed four innings of relief for Concord on Thursday. “There’s one game to show what we can do, and hopefully another one after that, and another one after that at this point.”
Spaulding proved to be a good test for the upcoming tournament in the regular-season finale. The Red Raiders didn’t notch their first hit until the third inning, but it came after Concord’s Wachter walked the bases load, leading to a critical four-run inning.
Wachter was nearly able to limit the damage by getting the second out on a RBI fielder’s choice, but Spaulding’s Mike Ciccotelli and Andrew Falanga delivered back-to-back RBI base hits. After a handful of strong starts, Wachter was a little off in this one, walking five in three-plus innings.
“I wouldn’t say he has pinpoint accuracy, but he usually has two or three walks in a game and he had that through two innings,” Owen said.
The Tide, though, didn’t cower at the sight of the deficit. With two outs in the home half of the third, a pair of singles put Spaulding starter Shaun Cormier (complete-game win, five hits) in a bind for the first time all afternoon. Kurtis Stadnicki made the most of the opportunity and crushed a two-run triple to trim the lead in half at 4-2.
Spaulding added another two runs in the fifth on a squeeze bunt paired with a throwing error, and Concord again answered with a two-out rally, making it 6-4 in the sixth on an extra-base hit from Ethan Dupre that plated two. But there were no dramatics in the final inning. Cormier returned to the mound and set down the Tide in order.
“Of course today was a tough loss,” Kelly said. “We were trying to go out on top with another win, but we’re rolling into the playoffs.”
(Jay McAree can be reached at 369-3371, jmcaree@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @JayMcAree.)
John Stark 11, ConVal 5
Key players: Stark – Jeremy Aubin (4 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 7 K), Noah Greene (3-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs), Ryan Waterman (3 RBI), Bradon Langdon (2 hits), Adam Tower (2 hits)
Highlights/key moments: The Generals went off for six runs in the second inning, clinching a home game in the opening round of the tournament in the process.
Coach’s quote: “We continued the momentum from Wednesday’s win and really came out swinging today.” – Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
Records: Stark 10-6; ConVal 6-10
Belmont 7, Prospect Mountain 2
Key players: Belmont – Cole Contigiani (7 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 10 K), Jonny Leclair (3-for-3, double, RBI, run), Corey Desrosier (1-for-3, 2 RBI, BB), Trevor Hunt (1-for-2, RBI, sacrifice, run)
Highlights/key moments: The Raiders scored three runs in the fourth inning and had a solid outing from Contigiani to close out the regular season with 15 straight wins.
Records: Belmont 15-2; Prospect Mtn. 9-7
Winnisquam 18, Franklin 3
Key players: Winnisquam – Hunter Tierney (win, 6 IP, 2 H, 10 K, 2 walks; 4-for-6, 3 runs, 3 RBI), Brendon Vaughn (3-for-5, 3 runs, 2 RBI), Jacob Snow (2-for-5, 3 RBI), Mike Lowrey (4 walks, 3 runs)
Highlights/key moments: Winnisquam turned a 3-3 tie after three innings into an 8-5 lead after four. The Bears tagged on nine runs in the sixth to win via mercy.
Coach’s quote: “Obviously we’re not thrilled with how the regular season went, but this is a nice way to end it.” – Winnisquam’s Fred Caruso
Records: Winnisquam 5-12; Franklin 6-10
Laconia 16, Pelham 12
Key players: Laconia – Carter Doherty (3-for-6, 5 RBI), Ryan Dee (2-for-4, 3 RBI), Jack Maher (2 hits), Bradley Weeks (2 hits)
Highlights/key moments: In easily the best moment of the season for the Sachems, Doherty drilled a walk-off grand slam in the eighth inning to help Laconia win a high-scoring contest.
Records: Laconia 3-13; Pelham 3-13
Concord 8, Nashua North 3
Key players: Concord – Caitlyn Shea (3-for-3; 5⅓ IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 4 K), Jill Dusseault (2-for-3, 3 runs, RBI), Jada Duvert (2-run double), Delia Barry (hit, walk, sacrifice, stolen base, two runs, RBI), Emmily Attocknie (hit, 2 walks, run, RBI)
Highlights/key moments: Concord clinched a home playoff game, taking a 3-0 lead in the second inning and holding off North in a frigid, wet senior game. Seniors Shea (pitcher), Barry (second) and Attocknie (third) had a hand in 12 of the Tide’s 21 putouts.
Coach’s quote: “Nice to know this wasn’t our last game at home this year. The girls battled some tough conditions to earn that home playoff game.” – Concord Assistant Coach Sandy Smith
Records: Concord 11-6; North 5-12
Inter-Lakes 12, Mascoma 11
Key players: Inter-Lakes – Morgan White (4 hits, 4 runs, 6 stolen bases), Lydia Clapp (2 hits, walk, run, stolen base), Makena Kimball (3 hits, stolen base), Brey Hanson (2 hits, 3 runs), Jade LaSalle (win, 6 K)
Highlights/key moments: Inter-Lakes led 7-0 after three innings before allowing seven runs in the fourth, and eventually trailed 11-8. The Lakers scored four runs in the top of the seventh to pull ahead 12-11. LaSalle, a freshman, protected the lead in the seventh striking out two with runners on second and third.
Coach’s quote: “Grabbed a win from the jaws of defeat.” – Inter-Lakes’ Harry Blood
Records: Inter-Lakes 2-13; Mascoma 4-11
Franklin 13, Winnisquam 1
Key players: Franklin – Hailey Haskins (WP, 3 H, 1 BB; 2 hits, 2 RBI, 2 runs), Ryley Haskins (2 hits, 3 runs), Mackenzie Weatherbee (2 hits, 2-run HR), Meghan Johnston (2 hits, 2-run HR); Winnisquam – Ema Atherton (2-for-3), Carly Catty (hit), Lauren Bolstridge (hit)
Highlights/key moments: Doherty hit a deep sacrifice fly to score Hailey Haskins in the first inning to give the Golden Tornadoes a quick lead and center fielder Ryley Haskins threw out a runner at home in the second inning. Franklin has won seven of its last eight games
Coach’s quote: “We made a few mistakes today but overall it was a very good game for us as a team. Hailey was in control on the mound, our defense behind her was solid and nine different people shared 13 hits.” – Franklin’s Skip DuBois
Records: Franklin 10-5; Winnisquam 10-6
Stevens 11, Kearsarge 5
Key players: Kearsarge – Maddie Folcik (1-for-3, run), Emily Folcik (2-for-4, run), Erin Taylor (2-for-4, run), Shannon Breault (2-for-4, run)
Highlights/key moments: Kearsarge took a 2-1 lead in the second inning, but it was shortlived as Stevens added three runs in the bottom half and didn’t look back.
Records: Stevens 9-7; Kearsarge 3-13
Merrimack Valley 19, Kennett 6
Key players: MV – Dillon Arrant (5 goals, 3 assists), Max Lacy (2 goals, 2 assists), Josh Farmer (6 groundballs)
Highlights/key moments: MV started slow before exploding for 13 goals in the second quarter to lead 16-2 at the half.
Records: MV 10-4; Kennett 2-12
Concord 18, Nashua North 7
Key players: Concord – Becca Proulx (6 goals), Delana Erickson (4 goals), Olivia Painchaud (3 goals), Jess Nelson (2 goals)
Highlights/key moments: The Tide secured a playoff spot with a victory on senior day.
Coach’s quote: “It was a great game for our seniors playing their final game at Memorial Field. They all played well and dominated the game.” – Concord’s Steph Johnson
Records: Concord 8-7; North 4-12
John Stark 15,
Manchester Memorial 3
Key players: Stark – Abbey Brandt (3 goals), Cady Loos (3 goals), Rylee Ledoux (3 goals, assist), Hannah Chartier (2 goals)
Highlights/key moments: Stark received scoring from 10 different players to finish the season off in third place in D-II.
Records: Stark 11-4; Memorial 2-13
Bishop Brady 17,
Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough 12
Key players: Bishop Brady – Abby Tremblay (6 goals), Sam Will (4 goals), Hannah Brigham (2 goals), Alex Sacco (2 goals), Molly Levesque (goal, defense)
Highlights/key moments: The Giants broke a three-game losing streak.
Coach’s quote: “It was wet and cold but we played strong together. I am proud we came out with a win tonight the girls worked hard and earned the win.” – Bishop Brady’s Kate Hohenberger
Records: Bishop Brady 5-8; I-L/M 4-9
Laconia 23, Gilford 15
Key players: Laconia – Skyler Tautkus (9 goals, 5 assists), Becca Howe (8 goals, 4 assists), Abby Crowell (4 goals, assist), Lyndsey Paronto (16 saves)
Highlights/key moments: Tautkus and Howe combined for 17 goals as the Sachems finished out the year in third place in D-III.
Records: Laconia 13-3; Gilford 7-7