Before any mention of himself, Concord baseball coach Scott Owen was quick to point out how much help he’s received over the years. From former assistant coaches like John Dunham and Chris Foley to guys on the current staff like Josh Jarnot and a whole host of others, Owen knows he never could have done it alone.
After all, it takes a village to reach 200 career coaching wins.
“It’s a testament to the guys that I’ve had coach with me throughout the years,” said Owen, who reached the milestone after Concord knocked off Manchester Memorial, 8-1, Thursday at Gill Stadium in Manchester. “It’s really a credit to all those guys and all the kids I’ve had over the years who’ve really done the work. I just kind of tried to help them along and not screw it up too much.”
Owen, in his 19th year with the Tide, has won each of his 200 games at the Class L/Division I level with Concord and took some time to soak in the moment following the team’s 11th win of the season.
“I’m lucky to and fortunate to have been able to coach this long, and like I said, that’s really a testament to the players and families I’ve had over the years,” Owen said. “I’ve made a lot of friendships in the game and have coached with a lot of good guys so it was a neat feeling.”
The biggest factor behind his 200th win was Concord starter Ryan Merchant, who limited the Crusaders to one run over 6⅔ innings. Merchant allowed five hits with four strikeouts and did walk four, but was able to avoid any serious damage all afternoon.
“Ryan Merchant was what stood out to me,” Owen said. “He was the story.”
And the Tide bats were there to back Merchant early and often.
Concord (11-2) produced its eight runs on nine hits, scoring once in the first and three times in the third before adding insurance runs by plating three more in the fifth and one in the sixth.
Eric Sullivan had the big bat in this one with two hits, a run scored and an RBI, but Concord went to work against Memorial up and down the lineup. Zach Miles added a hit, walked three times and scored three runs, while Trevor Smith (hit, run, RBI), Adrian Kennedy (hit, two runs, RBI), Tyler Bruns (two hits, run, RBI), Cam Thompson (sacrifice fly) and Sean McDonough (two hits, two RBI) all played a factor in the victory.
The lineup was a question mark for the Tide entering the season, but Owen has been impressed by what he’s seen so far from a team that relies more on pitching and defense.
“Today I thought we had one of our better hitting days. We really stayed on the ball, going middle and the other way and the guys had some really good swings on the ball,” Owen said. “I thought our hitting would be a little bit behind, but we really did a good job today and hopefully we can continue with that moving forward.”
Next up for Concord is a visit to Londonderry on Saturday.
(Jay McAree can be reached at 369-3371, jmcaree@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @JayMcAree.)
Bow 6, Pembroke 5
Key players: Pembroke – Ryan Ardine (5 IP, 2 unearned runs), Jeff Wagner (2-for-4), Hayden Drew (1-for-3, 3B)
Highlights: The Falcons took built an early 4-0 lead and escaped with the victory after stranding the tying run on third base to end the game.
Records: Bow 8-1; Pembroke 5-5
John Stark 11, Manchester West 1
Key players: John Stark – Austin Hazzard (W, 6 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 K), Nathan Innerfield (4 hits, 3 SB), Brady Philibotte (2 hits, double, 2 RBI, 2 runs), Nathan Isabelle (2 doubles, 2 RBI, 2 SB)
Highlights: The Generals took advantage of some West miscues early and got timely hits from the second half of the order to defeat the Knights.
Coach’s quote: “We are playing good ball in spurts right now. We have yet to play a complete game so I’m really excited to see how we do when it all comes together.” – Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
Records: John Stark 10-0; West 1-9
Raymond 4, Bishop Brady 3
Key players: Bishop Brady – Tom Daly (6⅓ IP, 2 ER), Jake Blake (hit, RBI), Alex Andrews (2 hits, 2 RBI)
Highlights: The two sides played a close game throughout, but Raymond pushed across a run in the bottom of the seventh to win it.
Coach’s quote: “We had four games in four days, all against quality teams. We battled every game and our two losses were tough walk-off losses. We need to learn how to win these close games.” – Brady’s Skip Foy
Records: Raymond 7-4; Bishop Brady 7-4
Pittsfield 8, Farmington 0
Key players: Pittsfield – Gavin Bedell (7 IP, 4 H, 5 K, 3 BB), Caleb Stopyro (hit, 2 RBI)
Coach’s quote: “I think tonight was our best game to date. We played great defense and we executed situational baseball today. Gavin pitched a great game and gave our staff a much needed break.” – Pittsfield’s Rob Stockman
Records: Pittsfield 11-0
Concord Christian Academy 2, Sunapee 1
Key players: Concord Christian Academy – Nicholas Ritchie (CG, 18 K, 3 H, 1 BB)
Highlights: Concord Christian scored two runs in the top of the first on base hits by Ritchie and Tanner Crowley. Ritchie pitched a complete game, with 18 of the 21 outs coming via strikeouts.
Records: Concord Christian Academy 4-3; Sunapee 9-2
Salem 6, Concord 5, 8 innings
Key players: Salem – Kelly Migliorini (2-run home run), Katie Grasso (game-winning RBI); Concord – Elise O’Neil (3 H, 2 RBI), Abby Corbett (3 H, 3 RBI), Sydney Plante (2 H, SB), Abby Rochette (2 H, 2 R), Alice Rosenberg (H), Anita DiBuono (H)
Highlights: The Tide scored three runs in seventh on RBI hits from Abby Corbett and Elise O’Neil to take one-run lead. But Salem scored one in seventh to force extras and walked off with the victory in the eighth.
Coach’s quote: “Too many base running errors throughout the game cost Concord chances to score. Tide dug deep in the seventh to take the lead but could not hold off a determined Salem team.” – Concord’s Duke Sawyer
Records: Salem 8-2; Concord 9-3
Bishop Brady 13, Raymond 0
Key players: Bishop Brady – Jayden Johnson (5 IP, no-hitter, 6 K, 1 BB), Ami Rivera (3 hits, double, 3 RBI, 2 runs), Abby Santis (3 hits, 2 doubles, RBI, 2 runs), Isabella Rivera (2 hits, 2 runs, double, RBI, SB), Ashley Brust (2 hits, double, 2 RBI, 2 runs)
Highlights: Brady scored four runs in the top of the second inning on a two-run single by Weed RBI singles from Brust and Ami Rivera. Santis doubled in the third and scored to up Brady’s lead before Rivera and Santis again drove in runs with RBI doubles and Brady pushed four more runs to lead 9-0. Brady put up another four spot to end the game early.
Coach’s quote: “Johnson was lights-out today on the mound, painting corners and mixing up speeds well. The defense was rock solid behind her as well.” – Brady’s Freddy Rivera
Records: Bishop Brady 9-2; Raymond 1-9
Campbell 14, Hopkinton 8
Key players: Hopkinton – Kally Murdough (2 hits, double, 2 RBI), Megan Kimball-Rhines (double, run, 2 RBI), Katie Meserve (double), Maurgan McGrath (defense)
Highlights: In a battle of unbeatens, the Campbell offense was clicking, aided by some Hopkinton miscues in key situations, and Cougars would go on to score in five different innings. The Hawks kept clawing back, however, and the score was 8-5 after through five frames. Campbell outscored Hopkinton, 6-3, in the last two frames, though, to put the game away. The Cougars outhit the Hawks, 14-8, on the afternoon.
Coach’s quote: “I liked that we kept battling back but at times our youth showed today. We need to learn from this big game experience and be more composed next time.” – Hopkinton’s Dan Meserve
Records: Campbell 10-0; Hopkinton 9-1
Hollis Brookline 7, John Stark 6
Key players: John Stark – Cam Fortin (3G), Kayden Easter (2G, 1A), Owen Jones (1G)
Coach’s quote: “We need to cut out the slow starts. We beat them for three quarters but the first one killed us.” – Stark’s Howard Roever
Records: John Stark 4-5; Hollis Brookline 7-0
Concord 9, Merrimack 8, OT
Key players: Concord – Erin Doherty (3G), Nicole Toler (2G), Mary Martinson (2G), Teylor Greene (7 saves) Merrimack – Mel Hutchinson (3G), Amber Brewster (2G), Ellie Boucher (2G)
Highlights: Erin Doherty scored the biggest of her three goals in overtime to send Concord home with the win.
Coach’s quote: “This was a huge win for us. We are working hard to bring Concord lacrosse back to what it used to be and this overtime win is a step in the right direction. The girls played hard from start to finish and deserved to come out on top.” – Concord’s Amanda Bacher
Records: Concord 4-6; Merrimack 6-5
John Stark 16, Oyster River 11
Key players: John Stark – Lexi Knapton (6 G, A), Meg Cole (5G, 2 A), Hannah Marquis (3 G, A)
Highlights: It was a pretty evenly matched game with a score of 9-7 at half with John Stark ahead. John Stark went on a run to score three unanswered goals in the last 7½minutes.
Coach’s quote: “The attack really found their stride today and worked together to create opportunities.” – John Stark’s Sam Weaver
Records: John Stark 6-1; Oyster River 4-5
Winnacunnet 17, Merrimack Valley 1
Key players: Winnacunnet – Ali McNamara (6 draw controls), Palen Kelly (3G) Merrimack Valley – Aurora Rollins (13 saves), Sabrina Leblanc (aggressive play in the midfield), Sophie Worster (defense)
Coach’s quote: “Winnacunnet is one of the best teams in D-II. This team’s humility and respect for the game of lacrosse is admirable. The players look forward to competitive games to finish the 2019 season.” – MV’s Katherine Stearns
Records: Winnacunnet 6-5; Merrimack Valley 3-7
Pembroke 13, Inter-Lakes 6
Key players: Pembroke Academy – Brit Hill (4G, 8GBs), Cierra Hill (2G, 3A, 4GBs), Kaylie Leblanc (3G), Kerra Vallee (2G), Lindsay Hawkins (1G), Ali Corriveau (1G);Inter-Lakes – Reagan Burman (2G), Taylor Ambrose (2G), Katie Dubois (1G), Emily Marrow (1G)
Coach’s quote: “After starting the week by losing to Bow and bringing our record to 3-4, I’m proud of my girls for working hard these last two games and ending the week with a winning record of 5-4.” – Pembroke’s Kayla Granoff
Records: Pembroke Academy 5-4; Inter-Lakes 0-10
Concord 9, Merrimack 0
Key players: Concord – Liam Grennon (8-1 win at No. 1 singles), Andrew Norton (8-0 win at No. 2), Winsor Bean (8-0 win at No. 3), Matthew Burns (8-1 win at No. 4), Will Pegnam (8-6 win at No. 5), Nathan Doane (8-4 win at No. 6)
Highlights: The doubles combinations of Grennon-Norton at No. 1, Devin Philbrick-Will Shoemaker at No. 2 and Finn Conery-Cam LaRiviere at No. 3 secured a dominant sweep for the Tide.
Coach’s quote: “It was a full team effort today as 10 different Crimson Tide players recorded victories. Senior Nate Doane prevailed in a back-and-forth match, while freshmen Will Pegnam and Finn Conery posted their first varsity wins.” – Concord’s Dave Page
Records: Concord 9-2; Merrimack 1-11
Portsmouth 9, Bow 0
Highlights: Caleb Olson put up a fight at No. 1 singles in an 8-5 loss to Ryan Porter. Neeraj Naik, Jon Cook, Noah Leuctenberger, Dustin Wells, Ben Boisvert, Seamus O’Reilly and Nate Hood also competed for the Falcons.
Records: Portsmouth 10-1; Bow 6-5
Bow 5, Portsmouth 4
Key players: Bow – Emma Conley (8-3 win at No. 2 singles), Miah Munro (8-5 win at No. 4), Alyssa Harpring (8-5 win at No. 5); Isabelle Dolcino 8-3 win at No. 6; Conley/Dolcino (8-6 win at No. 3 doubles)
Highlights: Isabelle Dolcino played the best tennis match of her high school career, while Alyssa Harpring came back from a 4-1 deficit to win, 8-5. Although they lost 8-6 at #1 doubles, Harpring and Parzick came back from 5-2 to tie it at 6-6 before falling, 8-6.
Coach’s quote: “It was a great match from top to bottom. Every match was contested, but these girls just never, never give up. They play with so much heart.” – Bow’s Jonsey Rainville
Records: Bow 13-0; Portsmouth 10-1
Oyster River 8, Bishop Brady 1
Key players: Bishop Brady – Jayden Bergeron (played best match of her brief career, defeating a far more experienced opponent, 8-6, at No. 6 singles to prevent the shutout)
Highlights: Rachel Achong, at No. 1 singles, and Sydney Sigua, at No. 5, narrowly lost by identical scores of 8-6, and both played valiantly in defeat against highly skilled opponents.
Coach’s quote: “Oyster River will be in the final four along with Portsmouth and Bow, so their superior depth and skill level was on display.” – Brady’s Lee Herrington
Records: Oyster River 8-2; Bishop Brady 3-7
Salem 3, John Stark 0
Key players: John Stark – Owen Payeur (great serving, 7 digs, 8 kills), Josh Booker (10 digs, 3 kills), Devin Hamilton (great serving, 2 blocks, 4 kills), Jackson Smith (great serving, 12 assists)
Coach’s quote: “We played as a team and were able to make some great hustle plays. Salem was able to find our weak spots on defense and capitalized on it. Overall, very competitive match. I am very impressed with how our team continues to improve each game.” – John Stark’s Kristen Hrubowchak
Records: Salem 10-2; John Stark 1-8