Merrimack Valley 4, John Stark 3
Key players: MV – Owen Bernier (7 IP, W, 9 K), Aidan Lacasse (2-for-3, 2 RBI), Cam Chevarie (1-for-4, RBI, run); John Stark – Brady Philibotte (HR), Jason Crean (double), Nate Innerfield (RBI double, SB; 2.1 IP, 0 R 2 H, 3 K), Alex Moore (3.1 IP, 4 R, 8 K)
Highlights: After giving up a run in the first, MV’s Bernier settled down and struck out a season-high nine in his complete-game effort. The junior also pulled his team even at 1-1 in the bottom of the third with an RBI double. MV took a 4-1 lead in the next inning on an RBI single from Chevarie and a two-run double from Lacasse. The Generals clawed back with single runs in the fifth and sixth, including a solo home run from Philibotte, but Bernier closed the door with a seven-pitch, 1-2-3 seventh inning.
Coach’s quote: “We had our chances today but couldn’t execute any situational hitting and had some lapses on the bases. Bernier threw strikes for MV and kept us at bay all day.” – John Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
“Owen set the tone for us today. Great performance. Good to see some timely hitting by Chevarie and Lacasse to get the offense going.” – MV’s Sean Wheeler
Records: MV 3-5; John Stark 5-3