Through the first three innings on Monday in Hopkinton, it looked like some local softball trends would reverse. Pembroke, which had lost its first two games of the season, had a six-run lead on Hopkinton, which had won its first two games of the year.
But Monday’s game changed course in the fourth, and those trends remained the same.
The Hawks scored four runs in the fourth, six in the fifth and then pushed 12 across the plate in the sixth to end things early with a 22-10 decision.
“This will be a good learning experience for us, I hope,” Hopkinton coach Dan Meserve said. “We have to come ready to play from the beginning, but also we have the capability to put together some big innings.”
It was a huge day for Hawks junior Abby Simpson, who finished 2-for-2 with seven RBIs and collected her first varsity hit, which happened to be a grand slam. Jordyn Barrett (4-for-4, RBI), Maddy Carmichael (3-for-5, three runs, four RBIs) and Lexi Lawler (game-ending double) also contributed to Hopkinton’s offensive onslaught.
The two teams will meet again Wednesday in Pembroke.
Concord 7, Londonderry 1
Key players: Concord — Delaney Duford (3-for-3, BB, SB, run), Sarah Taylor (2-for-3, double, 2 RBIs, run), Maddy Wachter (2-for-3, double, RBI, run), Elizabeth Blinn (double, SAC, 3 RBIs), Lillian Rienstra (RBI single), Grace MacDonald (hit, run), Anna Gaby (2 runs), Quincy Bolduc (run), Alice Rosenberg (7 IP, 8 K, 0 ER, 4 H)
Highlights: Concord set the tone with a three-run first inning, sparked by an RBI single from Rienstra and RBI doubles from Taylor and Wachter. The teams traded single runs in the fourth before the Tide tacked on three insurance runs in the fifth. Rosenberg allowed just six baserunners.
Coach’s quote: “This is a quality win for us. Londonderry is always among the top teams. We made some mistakes, particularly on the basepaths, but that just gives us more to work on to reach our goals.” — Concord assistant coach Sandy Smith
Records: Concord 4-1; Londonderry 3-2
Merrimack Valley 2, Bishop Brady 1
Key players: Merrimack Valley — Liv Lacasse (6 IP, 1 R), Sadie Barton (3 IP, 0 R; 2 hits), Emma Steenbeke (2 hits, run); Bishop Brady — Ami Rivera (single, double), Isabella Rivera (single, double), Riley Marsh (2 hits), Margaret Sheehan (2 hits, run) Jayden Johnson (8.2 IP, 2 R, 0 ER, 7 hits, 3 BB, 7 K; RBI)
Highlights: Steenbeke gave MV a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when she singled, stole second and scored on a Brady error. Lacasse made that lead stand through six innings, but Brady finally tied things in the bottom of the seventh when Sheehan scored on a sacrifice fly from Johnson, who was still in the circle in the bottom of the ninth when MV scored the winning run. Johnson loaded the bases with no outs and nearly got out of the jam with a strikeout and an out at the plate on a nice assist from Halle Laramie, but the Giants committed their second error of the game after that and allowed the winning run to score.
Coach’s quote: “Great high school game! Very proud of our players as we continue to develop.” — MV’s Kevin O’Brien
Records: Merrimack Valley 1-1; Bishop Brady 2-1
Coe-Brown 20, Bow 5
Key players: Bow — Katelin Howe (3-for-3), Hannah McGonigle (2-for-2, triple, RBI), Kelly Harris (1-for-1, SAC, 3 RBI)
Records: Coe-Brown 2-1; Bow 2-1
Hillsboro-Deering 14, Kearsarge 2
Key players: Hillsboro-Deering — Emily Howell (5 IP, 3 H, 2 R)
Highlights: It was a complete team win for the Hillcats, who got seven hits from seven different players and defensive contributions up and down the roster.
Records: Hillsboro-Deering 2-1; Kearsarge 0-1
Londonderry 5, Concord 1
Key players: Londonderry — Concord — Jonah Wachter (5.1 IP, L, 3 H, 4 BB, 10 K; hit), Ryan Philbrick (double, run), Brooks Craigue (RBI single), Cam McGonigle (hit), Jarred Willette (threw out two baserunners; hit)
Highlights: Concord took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Philbrick doubled and scored on a single from Craigue. The Lancers answered right away with two in the bottom of the third and they added some insurance in the bottom of the sixth with three more runs to chase Wachter. Philbrick and Donny Cote pitched well in relief for Concord, but the Tide couldn’t rally in the seventh to escape its first loss of the season.
Coach’s quote: “Jonah pitched a great game today. We did not play well defensively and Londonderry took advantage of our miscues. Their pitcher was very good and we put some good swings on the ball, we just need to get more consistent against tough pitchers.” — Concord’s Scott Owen
Records: Londonderry 4-1; Concord 4-1
Bishop Brady 2, Merrimack Valley 0
Key players: Bishop Brady — Connor Treybig (7 IP, W, 0 R, 15 K, 2 hits; single, double run), Darren Earley (hit, 2 RBI), Cody Fuller (run); Merrimack Valley — Ben Rose (5 IP, 7 K), Aidan Lacasse (2 IP, 3 K), Griffin Wheeler (1-for-3, double)
Highlights: Brady’s Earley had a wind-blown single to drive in two runs in the top of the first and Connor Treybig made those runs stand with seven-shutout innings of work that included 15 strikeouts. Rose and Lacasse both were effective for the Pride, limiting Brady to just four hits.
Coach’s quote: “It was a blustery day for baseball but we were able to get a couple runs in the first, and Connor was fantastic today and the defense made the plays when they needed to.” — Brady’s Skip Foy
“Rose and Lacasse were terrific today. Their guy was a bit better.” — MV’s Sean Wheeler
Records: Bishop Brady 2-1; Merrimack Valley 0-3
Pembroke 12, Hopkinton 2, 5 inn.
Key players: Pembroke — Preston Wallis (4 IP, 2 hits, 5 K, BB, 2 R; 2-for-4, double, 2 runs, SB), Ryan Ardine (2 runs, 2 BB, HBP), Lucas Esacbi (2 runs), Jayden King (1 IP, 0 R); Hopkinton — Logan Briand (4.2 IP, 4 hits, 1 ER, 3 K), Peyton Marshall (double), Hunter Boissy (hit)
Highlights: Pembroke scored 12 runs in the top of the first and held Hopkinton to just two hits on its way to this five-inning win.
Coach’s quote: “Tough day at the park for the Hawks. We had a hard time throwing strikes in the opening inning, allowing Pembroke to score all 12 of its runs on five walks, three HBP and four hits. We will need to regroup as we travel over to play them Wednesday.” — Hopkinton’s Dave Chase
Records: Pembroke 2-1; Hopkinton 2-1
Coe-Brown 17, Bow 4
Key players: Coe-Brown — Jake Pelletier (4-for-5,) Jack Jerome (3-for-5), Thomas Trumble (WP; 3-for-3); Bow — Kyle Martin (2-for-2, run, walk), Myles Rheinhardt(1-for-3, triple, 2 RBI), Luke Wilke (1-for-3, RBI, run)
Highlights: Bow scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 4-2 lead, but the Bears answered with three runs in the fifth and then broke things wide open with 12 runs in the sixth.
Coach’s quote: “We couldn’t seem to make solid contact with the bats early in the game. They came out and took it to us in the fourth with four solid hits. That seemed to wake us up a bit and we started hitting the ball better and putting runs on the board. All in all our pitching was pretty solid with the exception of one inning.” — Coe-Brown’s Greg Gilbert
Records: Coe Brown 3-0; Bow 1-2
St. Thomas 4, John Stark 0
Key players: St. Thomas — John Stark — Austin Hazzard (4 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 k; 1-for-2, double, BB), Alex Moore (2 IP, 0 R, H, BB, 2 K), Brady Philbotte (hit), Ben McKean (hit), Cooper Rivers (hit)
Highlights: St. Thomas took advantage of a John Stark error that would have ended the third inning to score three runs and take a 3-0 lead.
Coach’s quote: “We played much better than we did Friday, but still made a few costly mistakes that put us in a hole we couldn’t get out of. The top of the order is swinging the bats pretty well, but we need 6-9 to start contributing to fully show the offensive presence we have.” — Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
Records: St. Thomas 2-2; John Stark 1-2
Merrimack Valley 10, Bishop Brady 9
Key players: Merrimack Valley — Ryan Carmichael (goalie), Kalvin Maier (defense), Matt Sanborn (defense), Frank Morril (defense), Noah Miller (game-winning goal), Jake Currier (game-winning assist), Aidan Miller (key caused turnover)
Highlights: With the game tied at 9-9 in the fourth, MV’s Aidan Miller forced a Brady turnover that led to the game-winning goal from his brother, Noah Miller, assisted by Currier. Brady pressed for the tying goal in the final moments, but MV’s Carmichael, Maier, Sanborn and Morrill stood tall to seal the win.
Coach’s quote: “It was definitely a team solidifying win for MV.” — MV’s Randy Arrant
Records: Merrimack Valley 1-2; Bishop Brady 1-2
Pembroke Academy 10, Hopkinton 5
Key players: Pembroke Academy — Jack Schaeffer (6 goals), Caden Mix (3 goals), Logan Commerford (goal, assist), Adam Omundson (12 saves), Hayden Godin (6 GB), Michael Perkins (5 GB), Kris Lessner (3 GB); Hopkinton — Aidan Burns (3 goals, assist, 9-for-12 on faceoffs), Hayden Lynch (goal, assist), Spencer Burdette (goal), Steven Reddy (great defense, 3 GB, caused turnover), John Sullivan (great defense), Eli Standefer (11 saves)
Highlights: Hopkinton built a 4-1 lead in the first quarter, but the Spartans ran away with it from then on, going on a 9-1 run over the final three quarters. Pembroke did a nice job of maintaining possession while the Hawks had a tough time holding the ball and creating scoring opportunities. Both defenses pressured the ball well.
Coach’s quote: “We seem to be getting into a trend where we give up an early lead and then battle back to get back into the game. Our entire coaching staff is just amazed at what this group has been able to accomplish thus far. Each player is playing the role asked of them at any given time. We have Hopkinton again this week at home, so while we’ll cherish the win today, we have to be ready for Wednesday. I’m sure they’ll be looking to even up the season series.” — Pembroke’s Matt Dion
Records: Pembroke Academy 2-1; Hopkinton 2-1
Merrimack Valley 17, Bishop Brady 5
Key players: Merrimack Valley — Caitlyn Fortier (4 goals), Alexa Prewitt (3 goals), Sarah Bodien (3 goals), Emily Koufos (3 goals, great draw control), Abby Forbes (3 goals), Anya Dinger (goal), Kendelye Prive (great defense), Aurora Rollins (10 saves); Bishop Brady — Lauren Bietler, Maddie Rhynhart, Lauren Tremblay
Highlights: Vacation week finds our student-athletes making adjustments. The Pride seems to warm up in the first half with a solid finish in the second half. Great teamwork with limited practice/team time. The team continues to do
Coach’s quote: “Vacation week finds our student-athletes making adjustments. The Pride seems to warm up in the first half with a solid finish in the second half. Great teamwork with limited practice/team time. The team continues to do well and learn new things with each game. Glad to be on the field in 2021.” — MV’s Katherine Stearns
Records: Merrimack Valley High School 3-0; Bishop Brady 1-2
Hopkinton 9, Pembroke 8, OT
Key players: Hopkinton — Rose Finlayson (6 goals), Hannah Hoyt (goal, 3 assists), Annie Higginbotham (goal, assist), Sarah Chodosh (goal), Olivia Cressy (goal, smart defense), Francie Trafton (great defense), Anastasia Miller (7 saves)
Highlights: Hopkinton earned the road win in overtime on a free position shot from Finlayson. These two evenly-matched teams will meet again Wednesday in Hopkinton.
Coach’s quote: “Very close all game long. Pembroke played smart and patient. They move the ball really well through the midfield and then took their time getting good scoring chances on goal. We made lots of errors passing today, which hurt us and we were not patient with the ball offensively, everything seemed very rushed. The girls will work on a few things to improve for the next matchup with Pembroke.” — Hopkinton’s Mike Zahn head coach
Records: Hopkinton 2-0; Pembroke 0-3
Bow 6, Coe-Brown 3
Key players: Bow — Dominik Jurcins (8-4 win at No. 1 singles), Colby Smith (9-7 win at No. 3), Noah Leuchtenberger (win at No. 6 singles)
Highlights: The match was tied after singles, but the Falcons swept the doubles matches for the win. Jurcins and Hunter Duncan won 8-2 at first doubles, Smith and Aiden Munro claimed an 8-2 win at second doubles and Leuchtenberger and Oliver Dolcino teamed up for an 8-5 win at third doubles.
Records: Bow 1-2; Coe-Brown 2-1
Coe-Brown 7, Bow 2
Key players: Coe-Brown — Kira NealBurk (8-3 singles win), Jacqueline Heilshorn (8-3 singles win, doubles win), Megan Breiger (8-3 singles win, doubles win), Annie Thoms (singles win), Abigail Coleman (singles win, doubles win); Bow — Olivia Parzick (singles and doubles win)
Highlights: Bow’s Parzick pulled out an 8-5 singles win at No. 1 against Coe-Brown’s Skye Loto in a high-level match that lasted over an hour. Coe-Brown swept the other singles to seal the win before doubles.
Coach’s quote:“I could not be more impressed with the way the girls played in this match. We had another windy day, and they managed to fight through the elements. Senior Kira NealBurk and junior Megan Breiger showed great poise in their games today, and both of our freshmen (Heilshorn and Coleman) made me quite proud with their performances as well. Senior Olivia Parzick for Bow is one outstanding player. She and Skye Loto had a terrific match, one of the better ones I have seen this year, as they are both noticeably hard workers and have tons of talent. This Bow team will be ready to play later this week, so we are looking ahead, but after putting in the practice hours it was nice to see some hard work pay off for these ladies with a great win today.” — Coe-Brown’s Chris Burns
Records: Coe-Brown 2-2; Bow 0-2
Concord’s Mitchell Coffee, Nick Reynolds, Brett McDonough and Josh Turrant all had hits, but the Crimson Tide reserve baseball team lost to Dover, 6-4. Coffee pitched four innings with eight strikeouts for the Tide, while Ben Mouser pitched three with three strikeouts.
Annie Morrall, Bella Correa, Marcella Guadagno and Mackenzie Marshall paced the offense as the Hopkinton Middle School softball team traveled to Weare and came away with a 15-7 win.
Andrew Ferrier and Chris Hewey teamed up for a 59 to take first place in Concord Country Club’s Best Ball competition on Sunday. Hewey and Jeff Chandler combined for a 62 to take second, while Shane Clark and John Sullivan, Ferrier and Chandler and Andrew Fries and Ferrier all tied for third with 67s.