The Coe-Brown Bears had a long push to make it to the Division II championship last season and will look to go for glory again.
The team, led by eighth-year head coach Dave Allis, sported a 16-3 record last season and is returning a sizeable number of players.
Senior ace and 2025 first-team all-state Kylie Bieniek will lead on the mound, surrounded by all-state infielders senior Addison Coffin and junior Reilly West.
The team featured five freshmen last year who played all over the field. Sophomore Emily Clark should return with a year of varsity pitching under her belt and contribute some important rotational minutes.
The outfield lost three pieces, Brooke Orluk, Madeline Lovett and Haile Comeau, and that position group will be led by the returner, junior Lily Frazer.
The Bears will kick off against Merrimack Valley on Monday at 4 p.m.
Division I
CONCORD
Coach: Duke Sawyer (26th year)
Last year: 12-9, reached semifinals
Returning starters: Maggie Taylor, jr., captain, P/OF; Jaylyn Wessling, sr., catcher, P/INF; Ella Gray, sr., OF; Kiley Taylor, so., C/INF.
Top newcomers: Emma Berry, so., OF; Brooke Nailor, fr., INF/OF; Jillian Berry, so., INF/OF.
Outlook: “We are young and small in numbers(12).We are working hard to find the right fit on defense. Natalee Rowell will be number one in the circle with Kiley Taylor returning behind the plate. Anna Leon will move from the outfield to first base,Jaylyn Wessling is solid at third and the middle infield will consist of Camryn Dubois, Ella Chrabolowski, Emerson Frazier and Brooke Nailor all in the mix. The outfield will consist of Maggie Taylor, Ella Gray and Emma Berry. Utility player Jillian Berry will see time both at first base and the outfield.” – Duke Sawyer
Teams to beat: Londonderry, Pinkerton, Windham and Exeter.
Division II
BOW
Coach: Lynda McLaughlin (first year).
Last year: 11-7, reached quarterfinals.
Returning starters: Taylor Ouellette, jr.; Madison Oppold, jr.; Cadence Malone, jr.; Stella Wantuck, jr.; Hannah Miller, jr.; Sophie Brookes, so.; Brindle Whitaker, so.
Top newcomers: Raegan Wyman, jr.; Mia Scarpino, fr., C; Alexis Matheis, fr.; Lucy Huckins, fr.; Avery Ayers, fr.; Gabby Klunk, fr.
Outlook: “Their goal this season is to help the team make it back to the final four, like they did their freshman year… My hope for this blend of veterans and newcomers is to ‘have fun’ while celebrating wins and learning from losses. I really look forward to watching this talented group of young women become teammates on and off the field.” – Lynda McLaughlin
Teams to beat: Kingswood, Coe-Brown and Oyster River.
Top newcomers:
JOHN STARK
Coach: Denis Kolehmainen (fourth year).
Last year: 11-8, reached quarterfinals.
Returning starters: Katie Lorenz, sr., INF; Savannah Chapman, sr., OF; Leah Brouillet, jr., OF; Jaelyn Silvey, jr., OF; Olivia Clancy, sr., P; Avery LaClair, so., INF; Ellah Adler, sr., INF; Evelyn Millward, jr., OF.
MERRIMACK VALLEY
Coach: Kevin O’Brien (sixth year).
Last year: 13-6, reached semifinals.
Returning starters: Katelyn Herrmann, sr., INF/C; Ryleigh Perry, so., C/INF; Nora Lyford, jr., P/INF; Maddy Boelzner, so., INF; Molly Hahn, so., OF; Gabi Jones, jr., OF; Julia Kelly, jr., OF/2B.
Top newcomers: Jordan Monaghan, sr., INF; Iris Fortier, jr., Utility; Hadley Raine, jr., INF; Riley Piper, so., C/INF; Maisy Bourgeois, fr., P/INF; Cali Rollins, fr., C/INF.
Outlook: “Working hard to establish our identity and challenge for a spot in the tournament.” – Kevin O’Brien
Teams to beat: Oyster River, Coe Brown, Kingswood and Bow.
PEMBROKE
Coach: Eric Ives (third year).
Last year: 4-12, did not make the tournament.
Returning starters: Morgan Clouthier, sr.; Ally Tessler, sr.; Riley Carignan, sr.; Addie Little, sr.
Division III
BELMONT
Coach: Bill Clary (17th year).
Last year: 12-6, reached quarterfinals.
Returning starters: Madi MacDonald, sr., captain, CF/Utility; Bailey Perkins,jr., captain, P;
Falyn Sicard, jr., captain, SS; Molly O’Connell, jr., INF; Lyla McSheffrey, jr., C/INF; Avery Thurber, jr.; INF; Sara Cribbie, so., Utility; Natalee Cullen, so., INF/C; Della Liakas, so., Utility; Adi Ross, jr., Utility; Amelia Smith, so., Utility.
Top newcomers: Kallie Trudeau, fr.; Bailey May Marsh, fr.
Outlook: “Our goal this year is to stay healthy and make the playoffs again. It’s been a tough preseason, we have yet to have the entire team at a practice. Low numbers and various conflicts has made things difficult to nail down positions. We should stay physically healthy this year. Our girls have done preseason conditioning with our trainer and that has continued into the season. Really looking forward to the year and getting back outside to compete in the very tough Division 3. ” – Bill Clary
Teams to beat: “The Lakes Region is home to several top teams and then we play teams that every year are competitive.” – Bill Clary
BISHOP BRADY
Coach: Shane Baron (fifth year).
Last year: 15-3, reached quarterfinals.
Returning starters: Ava Archambault, sr., C; Abigail Tyrell, sr., 1B; Madison Murphy, jr., SS; Ella Blanchette, so., P/3B; Reese Henry, so., OF/2B.
Top newcomers: Brooklyn Griffin, fr., P; Autumn Rosario, fr., 2B.
Outlook: This is my fifth season at Brady as the head coach. I look every year to improve on the last. This is going to be a great year for us. We have speed up and down the order and two very young pitchers that can eat innings for us.” – Shane Baron
HILLSBORO-DEERING
Coach: Allan Kingsbury (third year).
Last year: 4-12, did not make the tournament.
Returning starters: Skyla Auger, sr.; Rebecca Chadwick, sr.; Riley Decatur, sr.; Megan Ferguson, sr.
Top newcomers: Ariana Bowen, fr., INF.
HOPKINTON
Coach: Liz Kovar (third year).
Last year: 9-8, reached prelims.
Returning starters: Ella-Mai Johnson, so., P; Avery Loew, sr., P/INF; Aurelia Salce, jr., C; Zoey Freitas, so., C; Paige Boudette, sr., OF.
Top newcomers: Brooke Pickering, fr., C; Sophia Swett, fr., OF/INF; Sarah Yanzo, fr., OF/1B; Carly Yale, fr., OF/1B; Alyson Doffing, fr., 3INF; Jacey Marchand, fr. INF/OF; Annalisa Pantano, fr., INF/OF; Cailynn Czarnecki, fr., OF/2B.
Outlook: “Hawks will be rebuilding this year as they have nine freshmen and five returning players. The returning players are in key positions.” – Liz Kovar
Teams to beat:
KEARSARGE
Coach: Ed Shaughnessy (second year).
Last year: 2-14, did not make the tournament.
Returning starters: Naimah Wilson, jr., OF; Emma Dubaere, jr., 3B; Baylee Biagiotti, jr., SS; Starlyne Henion, jr., P; Ally Wheeler, jr., 1B; Alexis Shaughnessy, so., P/Utility; Charley Mae Richard, so., P/Utility; Brooke Aiken, so., C.
WINNISQUAM
Coach: Mark Dawalga (eighth year).
Last year: 7-10, reached prelims.
Returning starters: Camilla Cote, sr., C; Alexis Mingolla, sr., INF; Caidyn Carter, sr., OF; Danica Weymouth, jr., P; Addie Bernier, jr., C; Aaylah Cartier, so., OF; Eila Petty, so., INF; Abby Meunier, so., Utility.
Top newcomers: Bella Soucy, sr., OF; Kaylee Jeansen, fr., INF/OF; Karmyn Simpson, fr., INF/OF; Claire Hart, fr., INF/OF; Layla Gloddy, fr., P; Alissa Jean, fr., OF.
Outlook: “We are looking at a solid core group coming back from last year. They really came on strong last season, going 7-9, making the NHIAA Tournament… With six new players joining this year’s team, it may take a little time for everyone to jell… This group of newcomers has all worked hard and will contribute to our season… The kids have been awesome as we work together and figure things out. The team is very excited to get outside and start the season.” – Mark Dawalga
Division IV
FRANKLIN
Coach: Maddie Trefethen (ninth year).
Last year: 12-6, reached quarterfinals.
Returning starters: Lily Cornell, sr., P; Bella Laflamme, so., C; Aubrey Boisvert, sr., INF; Maddie Doherty, sr., INF; Sage Slocum, sr., INF; Layleah Wells, sr., Utility; Kayla Adams, so., OF; Sierra Ward, jr., OF.
Top newcomers: Charleigh Kimball, jr., Utility; Taylor Croteau, fr., P.
Outlook: “Last season, we were able to secure a first-round home game and made it to the second round. We only had one senior graduate, so we are returning with a team that already has great chemistry and knows the value of hard work. Under the leadership of captains Lily Cornell, Aubrey Boisvert, and Bella Laflamme, we are looking to make a deeper playoff run this year.” – Maddie Trefethen
Teams to beat: Woodsville, PCA and Pittsburg-Canaan.
PITTSFIELD
Coach: Gordon Bilodeau (seventh year).
Last year: 13-4, reached semifinals.
Returning starters:
Top newcomers:
Outlook: The Panthers are one of the most consistent teams in the division and will continue pushing for a championship appearance coming off three consecutive playoff runs.