A baseball title defense begins on Monday for Concord High. In order to get back to championship Saturday, it’s going to take every single player in the crimson and white at every single game.
The Crimson Tide lost key players from last year’s 17-4 squad to graduation, including ace Jonah Wachter, outfielder Tyler Wright and infielder Kevin McDonough. They also will be without offensive weapon Ryan Philbrick, a hockey stud who left Concord for Cushing Academy in Massachusetts to player higher-level hockey.
Concord’s strength this year isn’t hard to find, however. Junior shortstop Brooks Craigue (15 hits, 15 RBI, 12 runs scored in 21 games in 2021) and senior pitcher/infielder Cam McGonigle (15 hits at the plate; one earned run allowed in 10 innings on the mound) return for the Tide along with junior slugger Nater Wachter (31 hits, 21 runs, 20 RBI, eight doubles, three homers). Those three aside, there will be plenty of fresh names to watch, including senior Declan Adams, junior Matt Drewes and sophomore Griffin Norwalt.
“We have a young varsity-experienced team but feel we are very deep and are looking to find out where all of the pieces will fit,” said head coach Scott Owen, a 22-year veteran in the Tide dugout. “The kids have been working hard, and we are excited to get going.”
Concord’s first of 19 games does come with the comfort of home at Memorial Field when it hosts Windham with first pitch slated for 4:30 p.m. The Tide then travels to Alvirne on Wednesday for a 4 p.m. start.
“New Hampshire Division I figures to be very deep and wide open this year,” Owen said. “Pinkerton, Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Londonderry, Portsmouth, Salem and Winnacunnet are among the teams expected to be in the mix. There are no easy days in D-I.”
Coach: Ben Forbes (23rd year).
Last year: 8-9, lost in D-II first round.
Returning starters: Owen Petretta, sr., 1B; Myles Rheinhardt, sr., 3B/OF; Ethan Clark, sr., P/OF; Kyle Martin, sr., IF/P; Luke Wilke, jr., OF; Calen Smith, jr., OF.
Top newcomers: Evan Provost, sr., C; Owen Webber, sr., C.
Outlook: The Falcons will focus on pitching and defense to keep them in games this season. The team is heavy with upperclassmen competing for starting positions and playing time and is bolstered by the return of Provost, who scored the championship-winning run in the 2019 D-II final against Hollis-Brookline but hasn’t played since due to the pandemic and injury.
“A tough schedule in a good division will keep the games exciting,” Forbes said.
Teams to beat: “Any team on any given day,” according to Forbes.
Coach: Rob Stockman (1).
Last year: 8-5, reached D-II preliminary round.
Returning starters: Jack Lano, sr.; Nic Pruett, sr.; Jake Pelletier, sr.; Jonny Pelletier, jr.; Freddy Schaaff, jr.; Tommy Flanagan, jr.; Jacob Cook, sr.
Top newcomers: Jamie Lano, so.; Joey Bush, so.; Braden Burt, so.; Aiden Hickey, jr.
Outlook: Stockman is taking over the Bears after spending the last 13 years coaching at Pittsfield.
“We’re looking to be competitive and progress as a team throughout the season,” Stockman said. “I’m looking to lean on this older group and form some great chemistry and mental toughness.”
Coach: Dennis Pelletier (8).
Last year: 14-3, D-II champions.
Returning starters: Noah Brent, sr., C; Nathan Innerfield, sr., P/OF; Jason Crean, sr., 2B.
Top newcomers: Anthony Paolicelli, so., P/1B; Chase Philibotte, fr., P/SS; Chris Dustin, jr., 3B/SS; Deltyn Williams, so., P/OF; Joey Dykstra, fr., C/OF; Hunter Keim, so., 2B/3B; Logan Montgomery, so., P/OF.
Outlook: The defending champs graduated seven key players and four All-State picks but look to retool the roster this spring with a lot of young talent. The Generals have six underclassmen on the varsity roster. Innerfield – a Second-Team All-State selection – will lead what looks to be a talented and deep pitching staff. Defense and team speed will also be assets for the Generals. The offense will be led by Innerfield (.893 OPS) and Crean (.425 batting average), but will need a lot of players to step up from the strong sophomore and freshman classes in the program.
Teams to beat: Hanover, Souhegan, St. Thomas.
Coach: Sean Wheeler (20).
Last year: 6-8, reached D-II preliminary round.
Returning starters: Gavin Wheeler, sr., CF; Cam Chevarie, so., 2B; Aida Lacasse, sr., 3B/P; Ben Rose, sr., SS/P; Owen Bernier, sr., OF/1B/P; Luke Dougherty, so., 1B/P; Dom McGee, sr., C.
Top newcomers: Jackson Mercer, sr., OF; Dylan Garvin, jr., 2B/OF; Shea Wood, jr., OF.
Outlook: The Pride returns seven regulars including the top of last year’s rotation – Bernier, Lacasse and Rose. Pitching figures to be a strength, with sophomore Dougherty looking to make a bigger impact in the lineup after a solid freshman season. MV has experience all over the infield, which will be anchored by All-State pick and St. Anselm-bound Rose. Lacasse, Chevarie, Dougherty and Bernier give MV a solid and deep group in the infield. McGee will be back behind the dish and Wheeler will be back in patrolling center field. The Pride will be looking to newcomers Garvin, Wood, Mercer and Wade Fisher to fill in the corner outfield positions.
Teams to beat: Souhegan, St. Thomas, Hanover.
Coach: Josh Coughlin (12).
Last year: 6-7, reached D-II prelims.
Returning starters: Landon Pearson, jr., IF/P; Matt Wagner, sr., IF/P; Preston Wallis, sr., P/OF; Brent Cloonen, sr., P/OF; Ryan Ardine, sr., P/IF.
Top newcomers: Owen Stewart, fr., C/OF/IF; Cam Plumb, so., IF/OF/P; Logan Sarrasin, jr., P/OF; Colby Despres, jr., IF/OF; Andrew Chiavaras, jr., C/OF; Josh Wheeler, sr., C/OF/IF; Evan Lavenskie, jr., IF/OF; Casey Shuman, sr., OF.
Outlook: The Spartans are looking to improve on last year’s record and go further in the D-II playoffs this year. The then-young rotation that was Second-Team All-Stater Ardine, Wallis, Cloonen and Wagner is now a group of senior leaders with a season together under its belt.
“How the pitching staff rolls will be how the Spartans roll,” Coughlin said.
All four of those starters look to share the bulk of the offense with Pearson and Wheeler. Pembroke looks to mix in new guys Shuman, Chiavaras, Stewart, Plumb, Sarrasin, Despres and Lavenskie, and it believes the mix of returners and newcomers has what it takes to make a postseason run.
Teams to beat: Souhegan, Hanover, Hollis-Brookline.
Coach: Matt LeBlanc (12).
Last year: 7-9, lost in D-III first round.
Returning starters: Jonny Phillips, sr., 1B/SS/CF; Andrew Rowley, sr., IF/OF; Jason Roberts, sr., OF/DH; Matt Krasnecki, jr., OF/P; Liam Waldron, jr., P/SS.
Top newcomers: Isaiah Lambert, jr., 3B/P/C; Tim Houser, sr., OF; Owen Waldron, fr., IF; Anakin Underhill, fr., P/1B; Jaxson Embree, fr., C/P/1B.
Outlook: After an up-and-down season in 2021 the Raiders look to rebound and play more consistently this year. Though returning five starters from last year’s squad, Belmont is relatively inexperienced at the varsity level. The pitching staff is led by Second-Team All-State selection Liam Waldron, who will be followed up by Underhill, Lambert, Krasnecki, Miles Miller and Embree, who have pitched 16 varsity innings combined.
“The team is hoping to develop its younger players, getting them experience, while remaining competitive and having the chance to be in every game,” LeBlanc said.
Coach: Skip Foy (17).
Last year: 7-4, lost in D-III first round.
Returning starters: A.J. Partington, sr., C/1B; Chris Grimbilas, jr. SS/2B/P; Bradyn Mundy, jr. P/3B; Michael Thresher, jr., P/CF; Bryce Miller, jr., 1B/P; Dom DuBreuil, sr., OF.
Top newcomers: Ethan Piotrowski, sr., CF/C; Christian Weir, sr.,OF; Andrew Hunton, so., 2B/SS; Owen Thornton, fr., P/IF; Todd Sheppard, so., OF; John McKerley, fr., OF.
Outlook: Thresher will take over as the No. 1 arm in the rotation after the graduation of D-III Player of the Year Connor Treybig. Mundy will slot in as the No. 2 pitcher, and Grimbilas and newcomer Thornton figure to get plenty of innings on the mound as well.
“We will need to throw strikes and play defense this year to be competitive,” Foy said. “And we will need contributions from everyone at the plate to put up enough runs to win.”
Teams to beat: Hopkinton, Monadnock, Campbell, Winnisquam, Mascenic.
Coach: Erik Hagstrom (6).
Last year: 3-9, reached D-III prelims.
Returning starters: Zack Coombs, Liam Greene, Devin Barrett, Aiden Johnson, Logan Clough.
Top newcomers: Joel Belanger, Ben Perron Noah Cate, Jack Harrington.
Outlook: “Looks to be a great year for growth, with some well-rounded freshman players that should perform nicely as the team gels together,” Hagstrom said.
Coach: Dave Chase (26).
Last year: 10-5, reached D-III semifinals.
Returning starters: Max Aframe, sr., 1B/P; Hunter Boissy, sr., 2B; Bryce Charron, sr., SS/P; Peyton Marshall, sr., 3B/P; Jack Morrall, sr., CF/C; Owen O’Brien, sr., RF; Armen Laylagian, jr., IF/C; Joe Yanzo, jr., SS/P; Colby Boissy, so., LF/P
Top newcomers: Bronson Ammann, fr., OF/P; Cody Charron, fr., IF/P; Malcolm Klingler, fr., IF/P
Outlook: The Hawks return nine starters and 10 players from last year’s semifinal team.
“We are excited as the boys are a little bigger and stronger,” Chase said. “The questions will be: Can we throw strikes consistently, and will we be more productive at the plate?”
Hopkinton has six seniors who have played in some big games, including First-Team All-State selection Marshall (.489, 17 RBI in 2021). Juniors Laylagian and Yanzo both earned Second-Team nods and hope to build off of strong sophomore seasons.
Teams to beat: “Monadnock is probably the clear favorite and then six or seven clubs trying to knock them off,” according to Chase.
Coach: Jon Hamel (3).
Last year: 1-12, reached D-III prelims.
Returning starters: Adam Kebalka, sr., 3B/SS/P; Nate Taylor, sr., CF/3B; Ben Biagiatti, jr., C/P; Riley Daniels, jr., P/IF; Camden Dezotell, jr., OF/2B; Connor Heath, jr., OF; Eli Gray, so., IF/P.
Top newcomers: Justin Gillespie, sr., 3B/OF/P/C; Jacob Rockwell, jr., 1B/P/C; Josh Holderman, jr., 1B/OF; Shea Curley, fr., OF/P.
Outlook: “I think our pitching depth will definitely be a strength for us this year,” Hamel said. “I also anticipate us playing fairly solid defense. Hopefully between our pitching and defense that’ll keep us close in games, and then maybe we get some timely hits or find ways to manufacture some runs.”
Teams to beat: Monadnock, Hopkinton, White Mountains.
Coach: Fred Caruso (16).
Last year: 7-6, reached D-III prelims.
Returning starters: Marcus Korenkiewicz, sr., P/C/1B; Kyler Bourdeau, sr., SS/P.
Top newcomers: Anthony Boomer, jr., P/3B; Alex Nichols, so., 2B/DH; Duncan Gosselin, jr., C; Zach St. Onge, so., 2B/SS/OF.
Outlook: “The kids have been working hard, working on fundamentals and the mental side of the game,” Caruso said. “We’re looking to our group of seniors to play a major role. We’re not very deep on the mound. Like any year, if we can keep the walks and errors to a minimum, we’ll be in a lot of games.”
Captain Korenkiewicz moves into the No. 1 slot in the pitching rotation, backed up by Labonville, Boomer and fellow captain Bourdeau. Nichols, Boomer, Bourdeau and McKinnon, along with Korenkiewicz, are the leaders at the plate.
Teams to beat: “Everyone we play,” according to Caruso.
Coach: Mike Syvertson.
Last year: 2-10, lost in D-IV first round.
Outlook: After an early exit from the D-IV tourney in 2021, the Kingsmen are looking to make the tournament and go on a deeper run this year.
Coach: Tim Snow (1).
Last year: 1-12, reached D-IV prelims.
Returning starters: Pete Guillotte, jr.; Owen Harrigan, so.; Corbin Proulx, so.
Top newcomers: Ashton Turner, Cam O’Connell, Alen Veletanlic, Harrison Kaplan, Hunter LeBlanc, Matt Nason, Caleb McPhail, Zander Leclerc, Keegan Emerson, Paul Chapuis, Noah Alers.
Outlook: With no seniors and only one junior, this year’s Golden Tornado squad is young but very experienced through the Babe Ruth and middle school programs.
“We have a great group of student athletes that are eager to learn and not afraid to put in the work to learn it,” Snow said. “Assistant coaches Steve Snow and Nick Rathosis are also impressed with the team’s efforts during preseason workouts and practices. We fully expect to score a lot of runs and have incredible flexibility on defense that will allow us to maximize a small roster.”
The pitching staff will be anchored by sophomores Proulx and Turner, but there are six freshman who will log plenty of innings.
Coach: John Carver (1).
Last year: 8-6, lost in D-IV first round.
Returning starters: Gavin Bedell, sr., P/IF; Decota Maura-Gaddis, sr., IF/DH; Jordan Roode, sr., P/IF; Riley Reed sr., IF/OF; Abe Marcotte, jr., IF/P; Jared Beliveau, jr., OF; Casey Anderson, so., P/IF; Mike Casey, so., OF/P.
Top newcomers: Ethan Bedell, fr., P/IF; Aiden Casey, 8th grade; Dan Stopyro, 7th grade.
Outlook: “As with every team, making the tournament is our goal,” said first-year head coach Carver. “Our pitching will be OK so long as we manage the arms safely, as so many of the pitchers play other key positions as well. We will need senior leadership to keep us afloat until the younger players get acclimated to the varsity game. The seniors are not new to leading, as they have been relied upon for leadership on and off the field for several seasons. We are going to need to produce at the plate. Some of the offensive punch was lost to graduation, but the athletes are working hard to improve each day. We hope to be playing at our best come tournament time and if so, hope to surprise people.”
Teams to beat: “Derryfield, Sunapee, Gorham and Woodsville will be near the top. However, you can’t ever overlook Newmarket, Littleton and Epping,” Carver said.