All four of his pitches – fastball, curveball, slider and change-up – were working during his bullpen session before Monday’s playoff game against Goffstown, and Concord senior Jonah Wachter was feeling good. But he wasn’t feeling perfect.
“I mean, you don’t go into those days thinking you’re going to do something like that, but I felt good and it all worked out,” Wachter said.
It worked to perfection. The game only lasted six innings due to the 10-run rule, but the Crimson Tide played error-free defense and Wachter struck out 14 without allowing a baserunner as he threw the first perfect game of his career. Concord took full advantage of the performace with a 10-0 win in six innings to advance to Thursday’s Division I Preliminary Round, where the Tide (14-5) will face Trinity (4-9) in Manchester at 4 p.m.
“Jonah was lights out,” Tide coach Scott Owen said.
He also had plenty of help. Concord scored three runs in the bottom of the first on four hits – a single from Ryan Philbrick and doubles from Tyler Wright (2-for-2, two runs, two walks), NaterWachter (hit, two runs, RBI) and Jonah Wachter. The Tide added five more runs in the second on doubles from Cam McGonigle (three hits, two runs) and Brooks Craigue (two RBI), singles from Jarrad Willette and Kevin McDonough, and two errors from Goffstown, to make it 8-0.
“I love that. There’s nothing better than pitching with a big lead, you can just go out on the mound with confidence,” Wachter said.
He pitched aggressively in the zone with that eight-run cushion, but Goffstown (5-10) still couldn’t do anything with him for the second time this season – Wachter threw a 1-hitter with 13 strikeouts in an 8-0 win against the Grizzlies on April 19. On Monday, he needed only 73 pitches to finish the six innings, and he didn’t need any diving catches or close calls to preserve the perfect game.
“There was a fly ball to left that was a little iffy,” Wachter said, “but my brother (sophomore Nater) got to it.”
Since Wachter needed so few pitches to get through Monday’s games, Owen has lots of option when it comes to who he will use on the mound against Trinity on Thursday and, if Concord wins that one, who he could use in Saturday’s quarterfinals. If Owen goes with the rotation he used all year, it will be Plymouth State-bound Wright working on Thursday with Willette and Donny Cote available for relief, and then Wachter (who will play at the University of Hartford next season) on full rest for the quarters.
Pembroke Academy 4, Sanborn 0
Key players: Pembroke Academy — Ryan Ardine (7 IP, W, 8 K, 5 H, 1 BB; triple, run), Cove Boucher (2-for-3, double), Rene Pinter (2-for-3, double), Lucas Escabi (hit), Ryan Casey (hit)
Highlights: The Spartans scored two in the bottom of the second to give Ardine all the support he would need in this Round 1 playoff game. PA will now play at Oyster River (7-4) on Thursday with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals.
Records: Pembroke Academy 6-6; Sanborn 4-12
John Stark 11, Stevens 0, 5 inn.
Key players: John Stark — Alex Moore (4 IP, W, 2 H, 1 BB, 7k; 1-for-2, 4 runs, 2 SB, RBI), Austin Hazzard (3-for-3, double, 4 RBI, 2 runs), Brady Philibotte (2-for-4), double, RBI), Jason Crean (2-for-3), Ben McKean (HR, 3 RBI)
Highlights: The Generals jumped out to a quick lead with a fou-run first inning highlighted by McKean’s two-run home run, and then added seven more runs to take this Round 1 D-II game by the run-rule after 5 innings. Stark will now travel to Hanover on Thursday for a Preliminary Round matchup.
Coach’s quote: “Our bats were really hot today, and we got great pitching from Alex. We need to play that much better against D-II’s only undefeated team on Thursday on the road.” — Dennis Pelletier
Records: John Stark 10-3; Stevens 8-6
Bow 10, Stevens 2
Key players: Bow — Katelin Howe (2-for-5, triple, run, great defense), Hannah McGonigle (7 IP, W, 5 K, 1 BB, 6 H; 3-for-4, 3 RBI), Emily Kiah (3-for-4, RBI, SB, 2 runs, great defense), Kelly Harris (2-for-5), Annika Geiben Lynn (2-for-3, 2 doubles, RBI), Lilly Wright (2-for-5, double, 2 RBI)
Highlights: McGonigle set the tone for the Falcons by striking out the side in the first inning, and Bow put up four runs in the second inning to take control. The Falcons defense also played a roll, turning a double play in the fifth inning and another in the seventh to end the game.
Coach’s quote: “Our bats were hot and the defense made outstanding plays. This is the first D-II playoff win for Bow!” — Bow’s Stacy Boyden
Records: Bow 10-4; Stevens 7-6
Lebanon 12, Kearsarge 6
Key players: Kearsarge — Megan Norris (4 goals), Maya Spiegel (goal, assist), Caroline Camp (goal), Paige Hoegler (11 saves)
Records: Lebanon 12-3; Kearsarge 5-6
The Concord-based New Hampshire Lightning Softball League 10 U team won the NH Comets Bill Varnell 2021 Memorial Day 10 U Division 5-2 against Worcester Union at Concord’s Rolfe Park. Lightning pitcher Taylor West threw a complete game with 16 K and added a home run, while the whole team contributed defensively and at the plate.