It’s a long, difficult road to make it to a championship game.
It’s even more difficult when you come up short in that game.
Concord knows that feeling all too well after it played its way into the 2021 Division I state championship only to fall early in the first couple of innings to Salem with a final 5-1 loss. That championship loss – Concord’s second appearance in four years – has fueled what’s seemed like a never ending offseason, but formal practices have happened and games are on the horizon.
The good news? A large portion of the talent from that runner-up finish and 18-3 squad has returned for the Crimson Tide and with it comes both chemistry and experience.
Two vital intangibles to fuel another championship run.
Of those returning players, All-State players Elizabeth Blinn (first base), Delaney Duford (catcher) and Sarah Taylor (pitcher) lead the way for the Tide. Taylor, a sophomore, is part of a strong pitching core for Concord that also includes sophomore Maddie Wachter and senior Grace MacDonald.
“Our strength is our three returning pitchers who helped us reach the championship game last year,” coach Duke Sawyer said.
The Tide with all of their returning players will look to be once again at the top of the division and the championship aspirations are a reality with eight returning starters in total. Where there is experience, also comes some names to watch this season including freshman shortstop Brook Wyatt and sophomore infielder Alison Dupuis.
Concord starts its season on Monday with a road trip to Windham where the first pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Its home opener is scheduled for Wednesday against Alvirne with a 4 p.m. start
Coach: Jen Boyden (1st year as head coach, was assistant last year)
Last year: 8-7, reached D-II quarterfinals
Returning starters: Lilly Wright, so., C/IF; Emily Kiah, jr., IF; Amelia Clark, jr., OF; Hannah McGonigle, jr., P/IF; Kelly Harris, sr., C/IF; Ella Roos, so., OF
Top newcomers: Carlee Davis, jr., IF; Caly Poitras, fr., IF/P; Lauren Oppold, fr., P/OF
Outlook: Bow isn’t known for its softball program and the roster is only 13 deep (no JV team), but the Falcons are loaded with talent. Bow returns ace McGonigle and three of last year’s top hitters – McGonigle, Harris and Kiah. With a pair of rookie pitchers, only one senior starter and Davis returning after missing last season due to injury, the future looks bright for the Falcons.
Teams to beat: Hollis-Brookline, Coe-Brown, Merrimack Valley
Coach: Dave Allis (5th year)
Last year: 12-4, reached D-II prelims
Returning starters: Emma Broadstone, jr., CF; Madison DeCota, jr., P; Mallory Farrar, sr., 2B; Ava Fitzgerald, sr., RF; Annie Jerome, so., SS; Hailey Pruett, jr., C/2B/SS; Courtney Thomas, jr., C/LF; Veneroni, sr., 3B/LF
Top newcomers: Audrey Perron, jr., 1B/2B; Sydney Bergeron, so., OF/P; Haile Comeau, fr., OF
Outlook: The Bears are eager for success this season after bowing out of the D-II tournament early last year, despite a strong record.
“On paper we should be strong, if we could only play the games on paper,” Allis said. “The team has a great chemistry and they care for each other.”
Coach: Gerry Morin (7th year)
Last year: 10-5, reached D-II semifinals
Returning starters: Gracie Bolduc, sr.; Destiny Vickers, sr.; Diana Stafford, sr.; Olivia Hargreaves, jr.
Top newcomers: Ava Rivers, fr.; Ruby Dykstra, jr.
Outlook: The Generals are a young team with a lot of talent, but not much experience at the varsity level.
Teams to beat: Oyster River, Merrimack Valley, Milford
Coach: Kevin O’Brien (2nd year)
Last year: 10-5, reached D-II semifinals
Returning starters: Kalee Keyser, jr., 3B; Emma Steenbeke, sr., SS/C; Olivia Lacasse, jr., P/2B; Julia Herrmann, so., 1B/C; Emily Kelly, jr., OF; Addi Allen, so., OF; Olivia Seeley, so., OF
Top newcomers: Kayla Smith, fr., C/1B; Caydence Allberg, fr., 2B/P
Outlook: The Pride graduated Co-Player of the Year – Sadie Barton – but return several players from last year’s final four run.
“Although we are young gradewise, we have nine returning players, of which seven were starters,” O’Brien said. “The team is excited to compete and we are looking forward to the season.”
Teams to beat: Coe-Brown, Milford, Laconia, John Stark, Pembroke
Coach: Ashley Gladu (7th year)
Last year: 3-11, reached D-II quarterfinals
Returning starters: Kyleigh Burstell, jr., C; Eliza Carignan, jr., P/C; Brooke Davison, sr., IF; Lillian Corbitt, so., OF; Charlotte Corbitt, sr., OF; Jaylin Gibbs, so., IF/OF; Tiana Jenkins, jr., IF/C; Summer Pescinski, sr., OF/IF; Taylor Renna, so., IF
Top newcomers: Ava Dixon, fr., IF/OF; Natalia Dube, fr., IF/OF; Camdyn Despres, fr., IF/OF
Outlook: “We look to continue our success at the plate with our hitting and carry the momentum of our playoff run last year into this season,” Gladu said. “After coming off COVID and the shortened schedule last year with area teams, we look forward to seeing more teams in D-II.”
Teams to beat: Oyster River, Coe-Brown
Coach: Bill Clary (12th year)
Last year: 15-3, reached D-III semifinals
Returning starters: Burke, sr., 2B; Savannah Perkins, sr., P/SS; Lena Rodrigues, jr., C/SS; Darci Stone, so., OF/1B
Top newcomers: Riley Cotnoir, fr., C; Madi Smith, fr., P/3B; Kate Walker, fr., 3B/1B
Outlook: With only four returning starters “we will need the freshmen to have an immediate impact,” according to Clary. “I’m looking for my four returning starters to be leaders for the younger players.”
Perkins will move to shortstop when she’s not pitching, Burke will take over at second and Stone will take care of center field. With rookie Cotnoir playing at catcher, it frees up Rodrigues to player other positions as well.
“Obviously our weakness will be experience,” Clary said. “Strengths will be our speed and intelligence. We play some different teams this year, so we really don’t know what to expect, but we can guarantee you that we will play hard. The girls are eager to get outside and play ball.”
Teams to beat: Berlin, White Mountains, Campbell, Conant
Coach: Shane Baron (1st year)
Last year: 9-5, reached D-III quarterfinals
Returning starters: Ashley Brust, sr., 3B/1B; Halle Sullivan, sr., C; Margaret Sheehan, jr., 1B/OF
Top newcomers: Payton Bryson, fr., P/SS; Sophia Collie, fr., P/OF
Outlook: Bryson is just a freshman, but the rookie ace “is someone to watch in the circle in the next four years,” said Baron. “She will keep Bishop Brady in games this year with her mound presence and her ability to get on base.”
The Giants graduated last year’s D-III Co-Player of the Year – Ami Rivera – but the batting order still has some strength with Brust, Sullivan, freshman Kimble Rose and Bryson. With a new coach and six freshman on the varsity roster, Brady is rebuilding, but don’t sleep on this team.
Coach: Jim Bailey (4th year)
Last year: 3-10, lost in D-III round one
Outlook: The Hillcats are looking to improve on last year’s record and go deeper in the D-III tournament in 2022.
Coach: Dan Meserve (16th year)
Last year: 12-3, D-III runner-up
Returning starters: Julia Baer, sr., SS/OF; Kally Murdough, sr., 1B/2B; Maddy Follansbee, sr., 3B/C; Maddie Carmichael, jr., C/OF; Kyanna Landry, jr., OF/1B
Top newcomers: Shaylee Murdough, fr., SS/P; Steph Elrick, so., P/1B; Lizz Holmes, so., OF; Lexi Lawler, jr., OF/SS; Beth Taylor, jr., OF
Outlook: The Hawks lost their ace and D-III Co-Player of the Year – Megan Kimball-Rhines – to graduation, so it will be up to Elrick to handle the bulk of the pitching duties and she has been throwing well so far. Hopkinton’s defense is anchored by a trio of four-year starters – Baer, Murdough and Follansbee – who have played in championship games in all three of their non-COVID seasons. Carmichael and Landry bring big bats, and Murdough has also been impressive in preseason.
“The Hawks have lots of athleticism and it will be interesting to see which positional combination clicks,” Meserve said.
Teams to beat: “Campbell is the team to beat,” Meserve said. “Mascenic, Conant and Monadnock all are going to be tough, and there are a slew of solid teams under them.”
Coach: Erin Ruckman (1st year)
Last year: 2-8, lost in D-III round one
Returning starters: Libby Ruff, sr., 3B/C; Taylor Swanson, jr., LF/CF; Karleigh Richards, jr., 2B; Gia Crandall, so., C
Top newcomers: Effie Makris, fr., 2B/C; Maddy Brumbaugh, so., P
Outlook: “We have many returning starters, several of those are being asked to play new roles,” Ruckman said. “It has been great to see each of them embracing those roles. Everyone is supportive of one another, so that is great to see. We are looking forward to a competitive season. The girls are working hard. We have a great group of captains in Libby Ruff, Taylor Swanson, Karleigh Richards and Gia Crandall. They will be leading us this season with their commitment to their teammates and passion for the game.”
Coach: Mark Dawalga (4th year)
Last year: 0-12, lost in D-III prelims
Returning starters: Emma Griffin, sr., 1B; Lea Dalton, sr., 2B/C; Lily Auger, jr., OF; Delaney Skourtis, jr., P/SS; Laura Slate, jr., P; Lucy Prunier, so., 2B/OF; Teagan Nelson, jr., OF; Becca Kulengosky, jr., OF
Top newcomers: Riley Tobin, sr., OF; Isabella Dill, fr., 3B/SS; Alicia Max, fr., C/OF; Shayla Jordan, fr., OF
Outlook: After a winless season with only eight players on the team in 2021, the Bears are excited to build and expand the program.
“It is very exciting to see lots of new athletes this year,” Dawalga said. “With all the kids back from last season’s team, we will continue to work hard everyday and get better. I know the kids are very excited to get the year going, as they have worked hard in preseason. We will lean on our returning seniors Emma Griffin and Lea Dalton for leadership, as we try to get everyone some game experience as we go though the year.”
Teams to beat: Campbell, Berlin, White Mountains, Belmont
Coach: Maddie Trefethen (5th year)
Last year: 1-8, reached D-IV prelims
Returning starters: Abby Sylvester, sr.; Savannah McPhail, so.
Top newcomers: Ava Tobin, fr.; Abby Pitman, sr.
Outlook: With only two seniors, no juniors and five freshmen on a roster of 11, the Tornadoes are a young group.
“We are focused on working on our pitching and fielding, while our batting has already improved since last year,” Trefethen said. “Under the leadership of returning senior Abby Sylvester, we are looking forward to a great season.”
Coach: Gordon Bilodeau (3rd year)
Last year: 1-4, did not play in D-IV tournament
Outlook: The Panthers played a limited scheduled – even by COVID standards – in 2021 and is looking forward to playing a full schedule this year.