The Coe-Brown Northwood Academy baseball team dug itself into a deep hole the first half of the season.
It may have seemed to deep to climb out, but a 3-2 win over Lebanon on Wednesday evened the Bears’ record and has them in the hunt for a playoff berth with two games left on the schedule.
After going 2-6 through the first month of spring, Coe-Brown (7-7) has won five of its last six.
“We’re pushing and trying to make it to the tournament,” Coe-Brown Coach Sean Ashley said.
Each of the last six games was decided by three runs or fewer, including a 2-0 loss on the road to Portsmouth last week. Wednesday’s game had a similar tune with Coe-Brown and Lebanon tied 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh.
Brady Johnson led off with a single for the Bears and stole second. Brody Ashley pushed Johnson to third on a hard-hit single through infield the gap into center. The small ball kept working for Coe-Brown as Joel Boulanger stroked a sacrifice fly ball to center field, leaving plenty of time for Johnson to score the go-ahead run.
Jacob Rich gave Coe-Brown its first two runs earlier in the game with a two-RBI single. Noah Wojtkowski went 2-for-4 and scored a run. Ashley went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and a run scored.
Coe-Brown will play its final two games of the regular season on the road, first at Oyster River (7-4) on Monday and Sanborn (6-5) on Wednesday.
BASEBALL
Merrimack Valley 6, Goffstown 1
Key players: MV – Matt Ostrowski (6 IP, 7 H, 1 ER; 2-for-4, 2 runs), Brian Nylen (2-for-3, RBI), Caleb Heath (2-for-3, 2 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: The Pride jumped out to a 6-0 lead after three innings and let Ostrowski do the rest.
Coach’s quote: “Great effort by Matt Ostrowski. Pounded the zone and let our defense do the work.” – MV’s Sean Wheeler
Records: MV 5-8; Goffstown 11-3
John Stark 8, Sanborn 3
Key players: John Stark –Jeremy Aubin (7 IP, 11 K, 3 BB, 4 H, 2 ER; 2-for-4, 2 RBI), Noah Greene (3-for-4, 3 RBI, double), Brett Patnode (3-for-4, double, RBI) 2b RBI Rian Queen (2-for-4, double)
Highlights/key moments: Not only did Aubin earn the win with a complete-game effort, he delivered a clutch two-out, two-run single to spark a six-run inning for the Generals.
Coach’s quote: “We kept showing signs of busting out, but finally got it going with Jeremy’s big hit. As our senior captain he stepped up huge on the mound and at the plate in a big game for us we push for a tightly contested playoff spot.” – John Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
Records: John Stark 7-5; Sanborn 6-6
Belmont 5, Bishop Brady 3
Key players: Belmont – Griffin Embree (7 IP, 9 K, 3 BB, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER), Chris Marden (2-for-3, double, RBI), Jonny LeClair (2-for-3, RBI), Matt Pluskis (1-for-2, RBI, run), Corey Derosier (1-for-3, double, RBI, run); Bow – Max Lamora (4 IP, 5 K, 1 ER; home run), Mario Fusco (hit, 3 SB), Kevin Anderson (hit, SB, run)
Highlights/key moments: Both teams scored single runs in each of the first two innings before Belmont went up 4-2 in the bottom of the third. Brady got one back in the top of the fifth on a Fusco hit and three stolen bases, but the Raiders tacked on an insurance run in the sixth when Derosier and Marden hit back-to-back doubles.
Coach’s quote: “It’s good to be in a close game like this, a grinder, so they can feel that pressure.” – Belmont’s Matt LeBlanc
“I was proud of the way my team fought today. We gave a very good team a tough battle.” – Brady’s Skip Foy
Records: Belmont 10-2; Bishop Brady 5-8
Kearsarge 4, Hillsboro-Deering 1
Key players: Kearsarge – Cy Courser (2-for-3, 2 RBI, BB), Gabe Benedict (7 IP, 5 K, 2 BB, 1 ER); Hillsboro-Deering – Brad Sampson (4 IP, 1 H)
Highlights/key moments: The Hillcats led, 1-0, through three innings, but Kearsarge scored single runs in the fourth and fifth and got two big ones in the sixth on a two-run single from Courser.
Coach’s quote: “Gabe pitched a great game.” – Kearsarge’s Sam Fazio
Records: Kearsarge 4-9; H-D 1-11
Newfound 5, Mascoma 4
Key players: Newfound – Devon Kramer-Roberts (2-for-4, double), Ricky DeLuca (hit, 2 RBI), Matt Mickewicz (save)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears turned a 3-1 deficit into a gritty win, scoring four runs in the fifth inning to take the lead for good.
Records: Newfound 8-4; Mascoma 0-12
Pittsfield 13, Farmington 3
Key players: Pittsfield – Kyle Stockman (5 ⅔ IP, 7 K, 4 BB, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER; 3-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Casey Clark (2-for-3, 4 RBI, 2 BB)
Coach’s quote: “Our pitching tonight was very good and our outfield played outstanding. Garrett Hadley had a great game in left field.” – Pittsfield’s Rob Stockman
Records: Pittsfield 11-3; Farmington 3-7
Pembroke 11, Bishop Brady 7
Key players: Pembroke – Jake McDonald (4 goals), Glenn Dion (goal, 2 assists), Jaydon Anderson (2 goals, 4 assists), Josh Dion (2 goals, 5 groundballs), Austin Wallace (goal, 3 assists), David Hammond (9 saves on 16 shots); Bishop Brady – Bryce Johnson (5 goals)
Highlights/key moments: Pembroke began the fourth quarter with a man advantage and took the lead for good. Craig Newcombe made several point-blank saves for Brady, the winner of its previous three games heading into Wednesday.
Coach’s quote: “Definitely a team win. Nine out of 11 goals were assisted goals and many of those included ‘hockey assists’ (a second assist) as well. The hockey assists don’t wind up in the stat book, but coaches take notice of that team-first mentality. A lot of heart and discipline, which is something to build off of.” – Pembroke’s Tim Vasconcellos
Records: Pembroke 5-7; Bishop Brady 5-4
Goffstown 9, Bow 7
Key players: Bow – Jared Reynolds (3 goals), Justin Mooney (2 goals), Chase Chamberlin (13 saves)
Highlights/key moments: After falling behind 5-1 early in the second quarter, Bow rallied to things at 7-7 by the end of the third, but the Grizzlies scored the fourth quarter’s only goals for the win.
Records: Bow 5-6; Goffstown 3-8
Dover 15, Merrimack Valley 6
Key players: MV – Dillon Arrant (2 goals, assist), Max Lacey (goal, assist), Zach LaRoche (goal), Evan Martin (goal), Caleb Willett (goal)
Records: MV 7-4; Dover 13-0
Hopkinton 17, Trinity 4
Key players: Hopkinton – Liam Flanagan (4 goals, 2 assists), Colby Quiet (4 goals, assist), Sam Schuster (3 goals, 2 assists, 6 groundballs), Joe Cullinan (2 goals, 3 assists, 7 groundballs), Henry Yianakopolos (goal, 2 assists, 8 groundballs, 8 faceoff wins), Sage Dubois (5 forced turnovers), Gerry Donahue (8 groundballs), Jacob Ashcraft (defense)
Highlights/key moments: Hopkinton held a 7-4 halftime lead before dominating the second half to stay undefeated.
Coach’s quote: “With the score so close at half, our guys came together and worked hard to score another win.” – Hopkinton’s Deacon Blue
Records: Hopkinton 11-0; Trinity 7-4
Kearsarge 16, Gilford 5
Key players: Kearsarge – Justin Norris (6 goals, 4 assists), Leland Heckel (2 goals, 2 assists), Tate Nurme (2 goals, assist)
Highlights/key moments: Kearsarge went to work early in the offensive end and led 10-2 at halftime.
Coach’s quote: “I loved the way we started the game. The kids did a great job pushing the tempo and sharing the ball.” – Keasrage’s Zach Matthews
Records: Kearsarge 9-2; Gilford 4-6
Inter-Lakes 10, Coe-Brown 8
Key players: Coe-Brown – Ryan Whitcher (5 goals), Jacob Radwan (goal), Mitchell Wade (goal), Ben Watson (goal, assist), Zach Sheehan (17 saves)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears trailed by a goal in the final minute but a turnover turned into a Lakers’ goal in the other end, putting Coe-Brown in a two-goal hole.
Coach’s quote: “For a first year team (Inter-Lakes) looks pretty good.” – Coe-Brown’s Ryan Hanavan
Records: Inter-Lakes 4-5; Coe-Brown 2-9
Merrimack 17, Concord 9
Key players: Concord – Becca Proulx (2 goals), Jess Nelson (2 goals), Delana Erickson (2 goals), Nicole Toler (2 goals), Christine Soule (goal)
Highlights/key moments: The Tide have lost two of its last three games and will try to bounce back Friday against Keene in Concord. Merrimack is hot with seven wins in its last nine games after opening the season 1-3.
Coach’s quote: “We came out strong and played well but just weren’t abel to keep ahead for the whole game.” – Concord’s Steph Johnson
Records: Merrimack 8-5; Concord 6-5
Windham 18, Merrimack Valley 3
Key players: MV – Talia Dinger (goal), Abby Grandmaison (goal)
Highlights/key moments: The Pride couldn’t contain the high-scoring offense of Windham in dropping its fifth straight.
Records: MV 3-7; Windham 10-5
Kearsarge 15, Gilford 9
Key players: Kearsarge – Leslie Angus (8 goals, 3 assists), Maicy Hansen (3 goals, assist), Emilie Webster (2 goals, assist)
Highlights/key moments:
Coach’s quote: Angus led the Cougars with 11 points to get back in the win column after falling to Pelham on Monday.
Records: Kearsarge 8-4; Gilford 5-5
Bow 19, St. Thomas 8
Key players: Bow – Taylor Darrell (8 goals), Maggie Vogt (4 goals, 3 assists), Olivia Krause (goal, 3 assists), Emma Gagne (2 goals, 2 assists)
Highlights/key moments: The Falcons traveled to Dover and claimed their eighth straight win.
Records: Bow 10-1; St. Thomas 4-7
Concord 9, Nashua North 0
Key players: Concord – Aidan Connor (8-2 win at No. 1 singles), Adam Bryant (8-3 win at No. 2), Sebastian Hart-Meyer (8-3 win at No. 3), Matt Chorlian (8-2 win at No. 4), Kevin Neary (8-0 win at No. 5), Ethan Crandlemire (8-1 win at No. 6)
Highlights/key moments: Connor and Bryant teamed for an 8-3 win at first doubles, Hart-Meyer and Chorlian earned an 8-0 win at second doubles, and Neary and Anders Norton finished the sweep with an 8-2 win at third doubles.
Coach’s quote: “We were able to get the better of a solid North team on a very hot day.” – Concord’s Dave Page
Records: Concord 9-4; Nashua North 6-7
Gilford 8, Berlin 1
Key players: Gilford – Grant Workman (win at No. 1 singles), Tyler Hanf (win at No. 2), Connor Craigie (win at No. 3), Kyle Davies (win at No. 4), Alden Blais (win at No. 5), Donny Searle (win at No. 6)
Highlights/key moments: The Golden Eagles swept singles and were aided by the tandems of Davies and Blais, and Mike Eisenmann and Colton Workman with doubles wins. The Golden Eagles finished the season undefeated for the fifth straight year.
Records: Gilford 14-0; Berlin 5-9
Kearsarge 9, Monadnock 0
Key players: Kearsarge – Tyler Valovic, Tucker Valovic, Charlie O’Conner, Matt Hubley, Jake Long, Sam Shields, Parker Pitts, Josh Sandy
Highlights/key moments: Tyler Valovic fell behind in his match at No. 1 singles, but found a way to come back for the win.
Coach’s quote: “Our players did well competing in their first really hot day. This win should clinch Kearsarge a spot in the state tournament.” – Kearsarge’s Lynn Miller
Records: Kearsarge 11-3; Monadnock 1-11
Bow 9, Pelham 0
Key players: Bow –Brayden Binder (8-3 win at No. 1 singles), Evan Alfano (8-4 win at No. 2), Caleb Olson (8-0 win at No. 3), Michael Mullen (8-5 win at No. 4), Dillon D’Allesandro (8-1 win at No. 5), Zach Mullen (8-4 win at No. 6)
Highlights/key moments: Binder and Olson won 8-6 at first doubles, Alfano and D’Allesandro claimed an 8-1 win at second doubles and the Mullens won 8-4 at third doubles to complete the sweep.
Coach’s quote:
Records: Bow 12-2; Pelham 7-7
Profile 5, Inter-Lakes 4
Highlights/key moments: This one came down to a tiebreaker in the third doubles match that Profile pulled out, 9-8 (7-4). Noah Sullivan completed a perfect 14-0 singles season for Inter-Lakes.
Coach’s quote: “(We) had a very successful regular season given the team’s lack of experience and little opportunity to have on-court practices.” – Inter-Lakes’ Bill West
Records: Inter-Lakes 9-5; Profile 10-4
Concord 6, Nashua North 3
Key players: Concord – Becky Cistulli, Abby Pope, Sabrina Hart-Meyer, Bailey Jackson
Highlights/key moments: The Tide has won four of its last five matches and will close the regular season on Thursday against Londonderry.
Coach’s quote: “Unusually hot conditions were fought off (and) a focused core of players earned the win.” – Concord’s PJ Cistulli
Records: Concord 9-4; Nashua North 6-7
Bedford 7, Bishop Brady 2
Key players: Brady – Sydney Herrington, Ravalika Damerla
Highlights/key moments: Herrington and Damerla could provide the only highlights from a tough day at the courts for the Giants. Herrington earned Brady its lone singles victory, and the two joined forces to win the top doubles match, 8-2. Damerla and Rachel Achong battled skilled opponents in the No. 2 and 3 singles matches, respectively, but both ended in losses, 8-4.
Coach’s quote: “Bedford has an experienced and deep team and should at least be in the final four of next week’s team playoffs.” – Brady’s Lee Herrington
Records: Bedford 10-4; Bishop Brady 3-10
Hollis-Brookline 7, Pembroke 0
Key players: Alison Sobozenski
Highlights/key moments: Sobozenski, playing the No. 3 singles match, came as close to a victory as any Spartan, but lost her match 8-4. The meeting was limited to seven matches as Hollis-Brookline came off a doubleheader.
Coach’s quote: “Alison never gave up during the match and came off the court with her face beat red.” – Pembroke’s David Goulet
Records: Hollis-Brookline 8-4; Pembroke 0-12
ConVal 6, Coe-Brown 3
Key players: Coe-Brown – Megan Wimsatt, Jillian Gordon, Sandra Black
Highlights/key moments: Wimsatt and Gordon won their singles matches, and Gordon teamed up with Black to earn the Bears a win in doubles on Tuesday.
Records: ConVal 6-6; Coe-Brown 8-5
Inter-Lakes 6, White Mountains 3
Key players: Inter-Lakes – Gelle Nedeau, Alyssa Floyd, Ava Duymazlar, Phoebe Hoag, Belle Hoag, Katie Losada
Highlights/key moments: Nedeau, Floyd and Duymazlar earned wins in singles and the Lakers swept doubles in their second win of the season.
Records: Inter-Lakes 2-11; White Mountains 0-13
Kearsarge 5, Lebanon 1
Kearsarge 8, Lebanon 1
Key players: Kearsarge – Sarah Long (two wins at No. 2 singles), Morganne Flinkstrom (two wins at No. 3), Ellie Mellot (two wins at No. 4), Annie Carr (two wins at No. 5), Kaitlyn Penrose (two wins at No. 6)
Highlights/key moments: The Cougars swept a doubleheader to finish the regular season.
Coach’s quote: “Considering most of our last matches have been played in temperatures under 45 degrees, today’s 86 degrees was handled very well by all the players.” – Kearsarge’s Laura Joslin-King
Records: Kearsarge 4-10; Lebanon 0-11