There’s a reason the Bow High boys’ tennis team only lost two matches during the regular season. And it’s more than just having talented players at the top of the ladder.
Despite uncharacteristically dropping their Nos. 1 and 2 singles matches on Saturday, the third-seeded Falcons put the same depth that carried them throughout the year on full display. Bow rallied back to win the final four singles matches and swept doubles, ousting No. 2 Portsmouth Christian, 7-2, in the Division III semifinals.
The win sets up a championship match with D-III titan and top-ranked Gilford (16-0) on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Derryfield School in Manchester. The Golden Eagles knocked off No. 4 Kearsarge in their semifinal contest, extending their winning streak to 83 consecutive matches. It will be the fourth time in the last seven seasons that the two sides meet for the title.
The Falcons were able to reach their first championship match since 2014 thanks to solid performances in singles, and clinched it when Zach Mullen and Mike Mullen defeated the pairing of Paddy Liu and Robin Chen at No. 3 doubles.
Caleb Olson (8-1 win at No. 3 singles), Mike Mullen (8-6 win at No. 4) and Dillan D’Allesandro (8-1 win at No. 5) all helped the Falcons get the ball rolling, before Zach Mullen provided a huge boost at No. 6, coming from behind to beat Liu, 9-8, 7-5 tiebreaker).
Other wins on the day for Bow included Brayden Binder and Olson teaming up to win 8-3 at No. 1 doubles, and Evan Alfano and D’Allesandro taking an 8-5 victory at No. 2 doubles.
Inter-Lakes 3, Newfound 2
Key players: Inter-Lakes – Hunter Sanders (7 IP, 5 H, 5 K, 1 ER); Newfound – Devon Kreamer-Roberts (hit), Mike Doan (6 ⅔ IP, 2 H, 3 K 2 ER)
Highlights/key moments: The Lakers topped a strong Newfound team to end their season winning five of their last six.
Records: Inter-Lakes 8-8; Newfound 10-6
Merrimack Valley 7, St. Thomas 4
Key players: MV – Brian Nylen (7 IP, 7 K), Kevin Barton (3-or-4, RBI, run), Joe Ostrowski (hit, 2 runs, RBI)
Highlights/key moments: Nylen was unhittable through six innings before St. Thomas scratched across five hits in the seventh.
Records: MV 8-8; St. Thomas 8-7
Merrimack Valley 1, St. Thomas 0
Key players: MV – Sam Hodkinson (7 IP, 4 K, 5 H, 0 ER), Molly McLaughlin (run scored), Miranda Crane (caught 3 runners stealing)
Highlights/key moments: McLaughlin drew a walk in the third inning and scored on a error for the Pride’s only run.
Coach’s quote: “You don’t expect to win a game without getting any hits, but we’ll take it.” – MV’s Sam York
Records: MV 11-5; St. Thomas 9-7
Franklin 6, Bishop Brady 5
Key players: Franklin – Meghan Johnston (3-for-4, RBI, 2 runs), Hailey Haskins (2 hits), Ryley Haskins (2 hits); Brady – Aniecia Vargas (3 hits), Lily Rivera (7⅔ IP, 1 ER, 7 K; 2 RBI), Gwen Tupman (2 hits, 2 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: After Brady rallied to take a one-run lead in the fifth, Franklin answered in the seventh and won it in the eighth on a sacrifice fly.
Coach’s quote: “To see this group of young ladies turn things around and win eight of the last nine games is something they should be proud of.” – Franklin’s Skip DuBois
Records: Franklin 11-5; Brady 13-4