Having previewed four area baseball games to watch, the four things series stays on the diamond with a look at softball.
Last season proved to be a good one for local teams, highlighted by Concord and Hopkinton making it to their state championship games. Those two programs will try and return to the title contests along with the other nearby schools that field squads.
The Concord Monitor’s extensive softball preview will be published soon, but until then, check out these four games ahead of opening day:
Kingswood at Merrimack Valley, May 13: The Pride ended last season one game away from the Division II state championship after it lost to Oyster River in the semifinals, but their last victory came against Kingswood. MV finished the season 10-5, and seven returning starters will look to end longtime athletic director and two-year softball coach Kevin O’Brien’s tenure in Penacook on a positive note.
Campbell at Hopkinton, May 23: It’s been a long 10 months for Hopkinton, but it will have the opportunity to set the record straight come May. The Hawks lost the Division III state championship to Campbell last June but return a large portion of their talent for another chance at a title run, including seniors Julia Baer, Maddy Follansbee and Kally Murdough. Hopkinton’s late-season matchup against the Cougars also serves as its second-to-last home game of the regular season.
Merrimack at Concord, May 23: This particular late Monday in May features plenty of great games scattered across all four divisions, and while the Tide don’t have a regular-season rematch with their opponent from the Division I title game, they do get their semifinal opponent. Concord returns three essential pitchers from that championship run, and a tough opponent at the end of the season should be a good opportunity for the Tide ahead of playoffs.
Bow at John Stark, May 25: May is the month for softball, and this Division II quarterfinal rematch is no exception. The Generals edged past the Falcons in a 4-2 contest to make it to last year’s final four, but both teams will look forward to seeing each other once again.