Most spring teams still have games left in their regular season, but that didn’t stop the NHIAA from releasing its playoff brackets on Thursday afternoon.
Since the tournaments are open and the seeding is random as a health and safety precaution (just like they were in the fall and winter), those final games and teams’ overall records don’t matter when it comes to the playoffs. Schools that want to participate are grouped by geographic region for the first two or three games of the tournament (through the quarterfinals) with the matchups and home teams determined by luck of the draw. The four regions will then come together for semifinals and finals, and the championship games will be played at neutral sites.
The NHIAA is recommending that each rostered player, both home and away, receive four tickets per playoff game. However, if the host school has tighter restrictions, those rules will be followed.
Fans will need to wear masks at the games, but the student-athletes on the playing field will not have to wear them. The NHIAA just lifted its mask requirements for participating athletes earlier this week, although players still have to wear face coverings when they are not actively involved in the game, like when they are on the bench or sideline.
Some of the local highlights from the bracket release include the baseball and softball teams from Bishop Brady, Hopkinton and Hillsboro-Deering all being put in the same region. Hopkinton baseball will host H-D in a Division III Preliminary Round game on June 3 while Brady wound up as the No. 4 seed in the region and has to play a Round 1 game on May 31 against Conant, with the winner going to Mascenic on June 3. On the softball side, Hopkinton drew the No. 1 seed and will host the winner of the H-D at Trinity Round 1 game (scheduled for May 31) in a Preliminary Round contest on June 2. Brady is the No. 2 seed in the region and will host the winner of Mascenic at Conant.
The Bow and Merrimack Valley boys’ lacrosse teams are both in Region 3 of the D-II boys’ lacrosse tournament. The Falcons drew the top seed and on June 2 will host the winner of the Kennett at Hanover game from May 31. MV is the No. 3 seed and will go to Kingswood for its Preliminary Round game on June 2 with the winner there advancing to the quarterfinals.
The Bow girls’ lacrosse team may be involved in the Preliminary Round game that could most easily be confused for a final. The Falcons (9-0) are No. 2 in Region Three of the D-III tournament and they will host Derryfield (8-1) on May 31. The other top contender for the D-III girls’ lax title is Hopkinton, the only team to beat Derryfield this season, and the Hawks are the No. 1 team in Region Two and will host H-D on May 31.
For all of the playoff brackets and rules, go to nhiaa.org/tournament-info.
John Stark 10, Bow 5
Key players: John Stark — Alex Moore (5 IP, W, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K; 3-for-5, 2 runs, SB), Nate Innerfield (2-for-5, double, 2 RBI, run, SB), Ben McKean (triple, 3 RBI), Noah Brent (1-for-2, 2 BB, run, great game behind the plate)
Highlights: The teams went back and forth in the first two innings as both scored single runs in their half of the first and second. But a combination of Stark hits and Bow errors led to six runs for the Generals in the fourth inning and a commanding 9-2 lead.
Coach’s quote: “We really came out and hit the ball well today against a good pitcher in Lamy. We have the potential to score a lot of runs but just haven’t been consistent yet. It was nice to see all nine starters get at least one hit today, and the whole roster get to bat.” — Stark’s Dennis Leo Pelletier
Records: John Stark 7-3; Bow 4-6
John Stark 18, Bow 2, 5 inn.
Key players: John Stark — Olivia Hargeaves (5 IP, W, 11 K, 0 BB), Kacie Weston (2-for-2, 2 runs, 2 walks), Sophia Lemay (2-for-3, 2 walks, run); Bow — Kelly Harris (2-2, triple, 2 RBIs)
Records: John Stark 6-4; Bow 4-6
Concord 10, Salem 5
Key players: Concord — Sam Nichol (7 goals), Eaton Tarbell (3 goals, 2 assists)
Highlights: After Concord went up 3-1 in the first quarter, the Blue Devils closed the gap to 5-4 by halftime. But the Tide defense allowed just one second-half goal, and Nichol and Tarbell continued their two-man scoring spree.
Records: Concord 5-8; Salem 1-11
Concord 16, Salem 4
Key players: Concord — Mary Martinson (7 goals, assist), Maria Armaganian (4 goals, assist), Kaitlyn McKinnon (4 goals, 2 assists)
Highlights: Martinson, a junior, scored the 100th goal of her career on Senior Night. She actually reached the milestone in just two seasons since last season was canceled.
Records: Concord 5-5; Salem 2-12
Lebanon 8, Kearsarge 6
Key players: Kearsarge — Caroline Camp (3 goals, 2 assists), Ellie Camp (2 goals), Megan Norris (goal, 2 assists)
Records: Lebanon 9-3; Kearsarge 3-5
The Bow JV baseball team beat John Stark, 8-7, handing the Generals their first loss of the season. Stark’s Chris Dustin (three hits, two RBI), Logan Montgomery (two hits, outfield assist), Miles Lanier (triple, two runs) and Austin Burkhamer (two-run double) all contributed.
Shaylee Murdough, Cassidy Follansbee, Paige Boudette and Skylar Clay led the offense as the Hopkinton Middle School softball t eam beat Merrimack Valley, 14-3, in Rolfe Park. Murdough also pitched a complete game with 12 strikeouts. Kayla Smith led MV with 10 strikeouts of her own.
In Concord Northeast Majors action, Banks Chevrolet defeated Concord Pediatric Pirates. For the Pirates, Alex Perry pitched well and had a hit and Troy Konstantakos had a double. For Banks, Wyatt Rockwell had two doubles and three RBI, Preston Alosa had two hits and Jack Noel had a hit and drove in a run.
Concord Little League’s Associated Grocers improved to 4-2 with a win against Suncook’s JCB Performance. The Associated Grocers were led by the pitching and hitting (single, two RBI) of Sam Sackman, while the defense was anchored by Keegan McCormack at first and the catching of Brayden McCormack. Patrick Fennessy came in to pitch in the last inning to record the save.
The Division I state champion Concord High boys’ hockey team is hosting its largest fundraiser of the year and all are welcome. The 26th annual Friends of Concord High School Hockey Tournament will be held June 25 at Beaver Meadow Golf Course in Concord with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start and a four-person team scramble format. Go to facebook.com/CHSTideHockey for registration.