Merrimack Valley 11, Laconia 1
Key players: MV – Jonas Weed (win, 4.2 IP, 1 H, 13 K), Gavin Wheeler (1.2 IP, 4 K; 2-for-4), Alex McPherson (1-for-3, 2 RBI), Dylan Garvin (3-for-4, 2 RBI)
Highlights: Weed was in control from the beginning of his first varsity start. The Pride’s offense also got rolling early, plating four runs in the second and never looking back.
Coach’s quote: “Good to get one in the right column. Solid team win up and down the lineup.” – MV’s Sean Wheeler
Records: MV 1-4; Laconia0-5
Nashua South 11, Concord 5
Key players: Concord – Mitch Coffey (2-for-4, 2-run HR, 4 RBI, run), Brooks Craigue (2 hits, run, RBI), Nater Wachter (2 hits, run), Jacob Plante (hit, run), Griffin Norwalt (hit, run), Zach McCoy (hit)
Highlights: Five runs in the fourth inning gave South a 7-0 lead before Concord got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Coffey’s two-run homer cut the Tide’s deficit to 9-3 in the bottom of the sixth and his three-run single in the seventh rounded out the scoring.
Coach’s quote: “We made too many mistakes and South capatilized. We put 13 runners on (base for) free and it is hard to win that way. Our defense played well, but needed to make a few plays in key situations. We hit at the end of the game, but we need to find a way to do that earlier in the game.” – Concord’s Scott Owen
Records: Nashua South 1-3; Concord 4-2
Bow 10, Kennett 9
Key players: Bow – Mark Folsom (started 1.1 IP, 7 R, 2 H), Peyton Larrabee (win, 4.2 IP, 2 R, 5 H), Zach Cross (1 IP, 0 R, 0 H), Jake Reardon (2-for-2, 2 triples), Cam Evans (2-for-4, double), Luke Wilke (2-for-3, double), Brady Lover (1-for-3, double), Owen Webber, Cal Smith
Highlights: Kennett went up 7-0 over the first two innings, but the Falcons scored twice in the seventh inning to complete the come-from-behind victory.
Coach’s quote: “Outstanding team response after trailing by seven after two innings. Great to see the team come together and scrap back for the win. Lots of individual improvement with solid contact at the plate. Very excited to see these guys coming together as team.” – Bow assistant Dennis Ordway
Records: Bow 2-2; Kennett 2-3
Kingswood 11, John Stark 5
Key players: John Stark – Hunter Keim (3-for-4, run, RBI), Hayden Pond (center field defense), Aiden Harris (2-for-2, walk), Seth Marquardt (first varsity hit)
Highlights: The Knights exploded for four runs on six hits in the first inning, and kept getting hits off four Generals pitchers.
Coach’s quote: “We need to find pitching outside of our big two of Paolicelli and Philibotte for us to compete at the highest level. We have four guys with potential, they just need to become more consistent. Hunter hit the ball very well today and Pond has some incredible range in CF. With a fully rested pitching staff, we should be ready to go.” – John Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
Records: Kingswood 3-1; John Stark 3-2
Belmont 11, Newfound 1
Key players: Belmont – Wyatt Divers (7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K), Owen Waldron (1-for-4, double, 2 stolen bases, RBI), Liam Waldron (1-for-3, 3 stolen bases, walk, run, 2 RBI), Anakin Underhill (2-for-2, 3 stolen bases, run, RBI), Michael Collette (1-for-3, double, stolen base, 2 runs, walk), Matt Krasnecki (2-for-3, walk, run, 2 RBI, stolen base), Jaxson Embree (1-for-4, double, walk, 4 stolen bases, 2 runs, RBI)
Highlights: Belmont jumped put to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, stretched it to 4-1 in the second and didn’t look back.
Coach’s quote: “Good team win! We scored in every inning and supported a young pitcher with good defense and timely offense. It was a nice way to finish a good week and earn a little time off for vacation week. We had a (15) stolen bases and were able to get several players up to bat today. It was a good building block game.” – Belmont’s Matthew LeBlanc
Records: Belmont 3-1; Newfound 0-5
Prospect Mountain 10, Hopkinton 0
Key players: Hopkinton – Adam Richter (single), Nate Windhurst (double), Cody Charron (4 K, 1 HBP)
Coach’s quote: “We tried to take advantage of a few of situations to score a some runs when we got runners on base (walk, HBP, reached on error), but we unfortunately did not successfully execute them. We will continue to grow and learn, and be better for our next opponent.” – Hopkinton’s Kevin Hill
Records: Prospect Mtn. 4-2; Hopkinton 0-4
White Mountains 7, Winnisquam 3
Key players: Winnisquam – Alex Nichols (double), John Shea (2.1 IP in relief)
Highlights: White Mountain scored all seven runs in the first three innings to build a 7-1 lead.
Coach’s quote: “I consider (White Mountains) one of the best teams in our division. We didn’t play a clean game and we have to against a team like that to have a chance. But we hung in there and had the tying run at the plate when the game ended. We’ll learn from this and hopefully build on it.” – Winnisquam’s Fred Caruso
Records: White Mtns. 3-1; Winnisquam 3-1
Concord 18, Nashua South 1, 5 inn.
Key players: Concord – Sarah Taylor (5 IP, 1 H, 13 K, 1 BB; 3-for-4, 2 runs, RBI), Brooke Wyatt (3-for-4, double, 3 runs, 2 RBI), Liv Crawford (3-for-4, double, 3 runs, RBI, SB)
Highlights: Concord pushed across 12 runs in the second inning to break it open early, with every player notching at least one hit. South’s starting pitcher was struck in the head by a line drive, but according to the team’s Facebook page, she is now home and doing well.
Coach’s quote: “That was the scariest thing I’ve ever witnessed on a softball field. We’re so thankful to hear their pitcher is doing okay. It certainly puts the game in perspective when someone’s health is in jeopardy.” – Concord assistant Sandy Smith
Records: Concord 5-1; Nashua South 0-3
Bow 6, Kennett 2
Key players: Bow – Lilly Wright (2-for-4, double, RBI, run), Emma Kelly (2-for-4, RBI, run, stole base), Hannah McGonigle (3-for-4, double, stolen base; 7 IP, 3 K, 1 ER), Amelia Clark (1-for-2, RBI, walk; solid defense at 2B)
Highlights: The Falcons had a complete turnaround defensively from its previous game, only committing two errors and McGonigle getting Bow’s first complete game win by a pitcher this season. Kennett also made some amazing defensive plays, cutting down multiple lead runners.
Coach’s quote: “This was the game we needed to help cement some of the defensive decisions we’re making; positive attitudes all around and continual offensive momentum throughout the game. We were 0-4 at this point last season, so we’re right where we hoped to be this season.” – Bow’s Jen Boyden
Records: Bow 2-2; Kennett1-3
Merrimack Valley 3, Laconia 1
Key players: MV – Livie Lacasse (1-for-3, 2 runs; 7 IP, 3 H, 5 K), Kayla Smith (1-for-3), Julia Herrman (1-for-3), Emily Kelly (outfield)
Highlights: Valley scored in the first inning added two more in the third to secure the win.
Coach’s quote: “Very good high school softball game. Both pitchers only gave up three hits. Solid win versus a quality team.” – MV’s Kevin O’Brien
Records: MV 4-1; Laconia 2-3
Sanborn 3, Pembroke 2
Key players: Pembroke – Ally Tessler (6.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R), Eliza Carignan (2 hits, double), Kyleigh Burtsell (2 hits, double)
Coach’s quote: “Tough loss. Gave up three unearned runs. But we will regroup and get better.” – Pembroke’s John Manni
Records: Sanborn 3-1; Pembroke 2-3
Bishop Brady 7, Hillsboro-Deering 6
Key players: Bishop Brady – Sophia Collie (batting), Kimble Rose (batting), Payton Bryson (pitching)
Coach’s quote: “The team is showing progress after every game. This was a great win for us and sends us into the spring break at .500 and will give us some extra confidence when we return for a busy May schedule.” – Bishop Brady’s Shane Baron
Records: Bishop Brady 3-3; H-D 2-4
Prospect Mountain 11, Hopkinton 2
Key players: Hopkinton – Maddie Carmichael (1-for-2, 2-run HR), Sammi Goldblatt (1-for-2, double), Steph Elrick (1-for-3), Annie Morrall (defense)
Highlights: The defending champion Timberwolves were too much for the Hawks. Hopkinton trailed 6-0 after the second inning and 8-0 in the sixth. Goldblatt doubled and Carmichael homered to deep center to cut the Hawk deficit to 8-2, but Prospect plated three more runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach.
Coach’s quote: “Prospect is the real deal. We needed to play a perfect game, and didn’t, but this is a great opportunity to see where we have to get to.” – Hopkinton’s Dan Meserve
Records: Prospect Mtn. 5-0; Hopkinton 4-1
Campbell 4, Hopkinton 2
Key players: Hopkinton – Shane Smith (goal, 3 ground balls), Nick Martel (goal, 3 ground balls), Lincoln Wilson (assist, 5 ground balls, 2 caused turnovers), John Despres (assist, 3 ground balls), Steven Reddy (5 ground balls, 8 caused turnovers), Avery Condon (4 ground balls, 8 caused turnover), Cam Bassett (4 ground balls, 5 caused turnovers), Brayden Crawford (2 ground balls, 5 caused turnovers), Colby Boissy (16 saves, 0.800 save %)
Highlights: This battle of Division III juggernauts saw very little scoring, but a lot of back-and-forth physical play. There were constant turnovers, ground ball battles, clearing attempts, dodges, defense, shots and, ultimately, saves. The score was tied 1-1 at halftime and 2-2 after three quarters, but Campbell scored twice in the fourth to remain undefeated.
Coach’s quote: “Our goalie and defense played hard-nosed and smart lacrosse in the face of a potent Cougar offense. We had a tough go today; rang at least six pipes, narrowly missed a lot of 50/50 balls, even had a ground ball take a bad bounce and roll into our net. But the real story is how our team stuck with it and worked incredibly hard right up to the last whistle.” – Hopkinton’s Deacon Blue
Records: Campbell 5-0; Hopkinton 3-2
Merrimack 13, Concord 8
Key players: Concord – Sarah Leuci (4 goals), Emma Beaujouan (2 goals, 2 assists), Lily Simpson (goal), Emma Pelletier (goal), Sofia Payne (2 assists), Nadia Hanna (7 saves), Leah Folds (ground balls), Lily Savoy (ground balls), Ava Philbrook, Taylor Lamb, Sophia Branch, Greta Norton
Highlights: Concord was down 7-3 at halftime, but came back strong in the first 10 minutes of the second half, tying the game 7-7.
Coach’s quote: “Unfortunately, we were unable to maintain the momentum and control the ball.” – Concord’s Terry Anderson
Records: Merrimack 3-1; Concord 0-5
Hopkinton 18, Campbell 3
Key players: Hopkinton – Rose Finlayson (5 goals, 3 assists, 4 ground balls, 2 draw controls, forced turnover), Sarah Chodosh (6 goals, assist, 4 ground balls), Maeve Owens (3 goals, assist, 3 ground balls, forced turnover), Katie Brown (goal, 2 assists, 6 ground balls, 5 forced turnovers), Sydney Westover (goal, 7 ground balls, 12 draw controls, forced turnover), Shelby Olkonen (goal, 2 ground balls), Lilly Chodosh (goal), Louisa Behner (3 ground balls, defense), Hallee Schoch (2 saves); Campbell – Rania Chaury (12 saves)
Highlights: Westover delivered the ball to the Hawks’ offense with 12 draw controls, and Hopkinton spread the offense and got out to a big lead. Finlayson and Sarah Chodosh drove the offense, combining for 15 points, while Brown provided constant back pressure to force turnovers and regain possession. Lilly Chodosh scored her first varsity goal.
Coach’s quote: “The girls did well switching positions on the fly to cover each other with no subs or bench players available.” – Hopkinton’s Bob Brown
Records: Hopkinton 3-2; Campbell 1-5
Kearsarge 16, Lebanon 12
Key players: Kearsarge – Ocie Ilg (5 goals, 3 assists), Adison Whitty (4 goals, 2 assists), Addyson Rossi (3 goals), Nadia Spiegel (3 goals, 3 assists), Val Soule (goal, 4 assists), Ella Dumais (attack), Maddi Thorp (50% save rate in goal); Lebanon – Maddie Jewell (7 goals)
Highlights: Lebanon had the lead at halftime, but the Cougars stepped up defensively and took the lead in the second half.
Coach’s quote: “Proud of our student-athletes today for working hard and not giving up when missing a few players.” – Kearsarge’s Katherine Bucklin Stearns
Records: Kearsarge 4-1; Lebanon 0-3