Pembroke could have given up after letting Bow get ahead in the eighth inning. Instead, with the bases loaded in extra innings, Spartan junior Eric Maccarone whacked one into deep left field to send everyone home.
He had a big swing and miss first. He got jammed on the second pitch, high and up to foul it off.
Maccarone was narrowing in. On the next look, he drove the barrel to a fastball in the middle of the zone that flew over the drawn-in outfield.
The celebration of the 6-5 win over Bow on a cold afternoon was jubilant.
“I had faith in myself, faith in the team. Just do my job, that’s all I’ve got to do,” Maccarone said after the win, still catching his breath. “Feels great, team’s going to keep driving, keep winning.”
Maccarone also got the win as a pitcher after coming on to the mound in the seventh to relieve his brother, Joshua.
The Spartans put themselves in good positions to score and had led for most of the game. A late push by Bow tied the game up at 4-4 to send it to extra innings.
In the top of the eighth, Bow junior Clayton Nadzan scored after stealing second and third, and beat out a throw home on a hit by senior Peyton Larrabee.
It was a tale of two different approaches between Pembroke and Bow at the plate. Bow’s nine hits, including Bryce Gervais’ two-hit, three-RBI day, were double that of the Spartans, which almost won them the game.
On the other side, Pembroke earned 11 walks and just four hits. Every single Spartan in the lineup got on base at one point in the game.
Pembroke Coach Joshua Coughlin said the team, even now, is figuring out tweaks to its lineup and defensive positioning. It’s a good sign they’re still finding a way to win.
“I’d like to see some more offense, some better at-bats,” he said.
The loss was a heavy one for the Falcons, who dropped to 1-3 on the season after the late-inning collapse. However, the young squad delivered a solid performace that can serve as a building block for the future.
The Falcons played only one senior, Peyton Larrabee at DH, on Wednesday. They have struggled to find a consistent rhythm with the young squad.
Head Coach Ben Forbes felt the late rally showed the character of his team. Some fielding and defensive experience early in the season will be crucial to their development so that they can solidify later on, he said.
Junior Joshua Maccarone pitched 6.1 innings, allowing four runs against Bow and striking out three. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Bow junior Bryce Gervais had a big day the plate with two hits and three runs batted in at the ninth spot in the lineup. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Bow sophomore Conor Curtis (5) dives into second, beating the throw to Spartan senior shortstop Zac Bemis (23). Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Bow junior pitcher Troy Konstantakos threw six innings and held Pembroke just long enough to give his team a chance to tie it up late. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor
Softball: Bow 13, Pembroke 6
Key athletes: Bow – Madison Oppold (2-3, 2 singles, 2BB, 2SB, 4R), Taylor Ouellette (2-4, 2 doubles, BB, 2R), Raegan Wyman (single, RBI), Alexis Matheis (single, RBI), Cadence Malone (2BB, single).
Pembroke – Morgan Clouthier (inside the park grand slam, Jaedyn Yeaton (2-3, single, triple, walk), Lily Gagnon (2-4, singles, 2R), Ally Tessler (single, 2R).
Key moment: A massive third inning saw Bow score six runs to re-take the lead, 7-4, and keep it.
Coach’s quote: “Believe in themselves,” Bow’s Lynda McLaughlin told her team to spark a comeback. “Put the work that they’ve done in practice, apply it to the game and they pulled through.”
“I’m proud of the girls. They’ve come a long way since I took over the program three years ago,” Pembroke Coach Eric Ives said.
Bow’s Madison Oppold (R) beats out the throw to make it to second safe after a big hit. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Bow’s pitcher Sophie Brooks winds up to pitch against Pembroke Academy. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Bow’s Raegan Wyman hits in a big spot to drive in a run in the third inning. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor