In 2022, Concord came agonizingly close to winning the Division I championship, losing to Exeter, 1-0, in eight innings. Coming into 2023, head coach Duke Sawyer anticipates fielding another team capable of winning it all.

His top two pitchers from last year – Maddy Wachter and Sarah Taylor – return after making First Team All-State last season, providing a big boost in the circle. Delaney Duford will anchor behind the plate; Kryslin Stearns will rotate between first base and third; Savanna Anderson will play first as well. Sawyer also highlighted Alison Dupuis, Brooke Wyatt, Kennedy Craigue, Olivia Crawford and Andie Moreira as other expected key contributors this season.

Sawyer said he’s pleased with where the team’s pitching and hitting sit; the defense, though, is still a work in progress.

“I think this year we’re going to have to work a little harder on our defense, on our mistakes,” he said. “Last year, we got off to such a great start – we won 17 in a row (the Tide finished 19-2). When you do that, you’re hitting well, you’re pitching well, sometimes those mistakes that you made get overshadowed.”

If the Tide want to hoist that championship plaque this year, that attention to detail remains paramount.

“Playoff game after playoff game, teams get tougher and tougher and now those mistakes, they really show up, and they make a big difference,” Sawyer said. “I think that’s something that we learned from last year. We have to work hard all year long, no matter what kind of start we get (off to) to correct mistakes that we make.”

Concord opens its season at home against Windham at Memorial Field on Monday.

 

BOW

Coach: Jen Boyden (2nd year)

Last year: 9-9, reached D-II quarterfinals

Returning starters: Hannah McGonigle, sr., P/IF; Emily Kiah, sr., MIF/OF; Amelia Clark, sr., OF; Lilly Wright, jr., C/1B; Emma Kelly, jr., 1B/OF; Ella Roos, jr., OF/1B; Caly Poitras, so., P/IF; Lauren Oppold, so., P/IF

Outlook:  The Falcons took a huge step forward as a program last year, upsetting Oyster River in the preliminary round of the playoffs (the Bobcats beat Bow 13-1 in the regular season, but the Falcons won the playoff matchup, 8-3). Bow has eight returning starters, including First Team ace McGonigle, an NCAA Division I commit who is heading for the University of Buffalo next year, but only 12 players in the entire program. With a short bench and no JV team, the Falcons will need contributions from their freshmen in order to stay competitive.

 “What we lack in depth we really do make up in the system we’ve created with a small, but consistent group,” Boyden said. “We’re three-years into a steady, but maybe unorthodox, culture of high-IQ softball, strength and power development, and a focus on doing as much damage as we can on offense and minimizing the damage on defense. … We design defensive drills and throw bullpens with maximal purpose and intent to minimize wasted reps and time with the roster size we have. We don't have infinite tools in the shed to pursue a perfect season, but we’re focused on being as close to perfect as we can when it matters the most, like last year in the first-round playoff game against Oyster River. … We know we can pull off upsets like this because our plan and our development are long-term.” 

Teams to beat: Coe-Brown, Hollis-Brookline, Kingswood, John Stark

COE-BROWN

Coach: Dave Allis (6th year)

Last year: 18-1, D-II champions

Returning starters: Madison DeCota, sr.; Emma Broadstone, sr.; Hailey Pruett, sr.; Courtney Thomas, sr.; Annie Jerome, jr.; Jayden Porter, jr.; Haile Comeau, so.

Outlook:  The defending champion Bears return seven starters from last year, including their First Team ace DeCota.

“We have some great in house competitions that will keep us focused and working hard,” Allis said. “We have a combination of exciting young players mixed with some talented veterans that will keep us competitive in the division.”

Teams to beat:  “There are 8-10 excellent pitchers in the division that will make (those teams) all incredibly competitive,” Allis said.

JOHN STARK

Coach: Denis Kolehmainen (1st year)

Last year: 16-3, D-II runner-up

Returning starters:  Ruby Dykstra, sr.; Aubrey Fischer, sr.; Olivia Hargreaves, sr.; Eva Grolljahn, jr.; Kira Linstad, so.; Ava Rivers, so.; Haley Stafford, so.

Top newcomers: Alexis Boudreau, so.; Emily Fredette, so.; Savannah Chapman, fr.; Addy Pelletier, fr.; Katie Lorenz, fr.

Outlook:  After a solid season ended with a 6-1 loss to Coe-Brown in the championship game, the Generals are eager to get back on the field. 

“We lost some very quick girls in last year’s graduation, but we’ve picked up some solid hitters that our new to our program this year,” Kolehmainen said.

Among the returners is Hargreaves, last year’s Division II Pitcher of the Year, and, according to Kolehmainen, “her pitching has improved from last year.”

Teams to beat: Coe-Brown, Merrimack Valley, Campbell

MERRIMACK VALLEY

Coach: Kevin O’Brien (3rd year)

Last year: 14-3, reached D-II quarterfinals

Returning starters:  Liv Lacasse, sr., P/IF/OF; Kalee Keyser, sr., IF; Emily Kelly, sr., IF/OF; Julia Herrmann, jr., C/1B/OF; Liv Seeley, jr., 1B/OF; Addy Allen, jr., OF; Caydence Allberg, so., P/IF; Kayla Smith, so., SS/C

Top newcomers:  Katelyn Herrmann, fr., OF/IF; Anna Herrmann, sr., P/OF; Sam Upton, so., OF; Ryleigh Perry, fr., OF/P

Outlook:  MV returns several players from last year’s No. 2 seeded team that was upset by No. 7 ConVal in the quarterfinals. The Pride graduated last year’s Player of the Year – Emma Steenbeke – but return All-State Second Team selection Lacasse and Honorable Mention pick Smith.

“We have a veteran team returning this year, the team members are invested in the program and are working hard to be successful,” O’Brien said.

Teams to beat: Coe-Brown, Campbell, Kingswood, John Stark, Bow, ConVal

PEMBROKE

Coach: Josh Manni (1st year)

Last year: 7-10, reached D-II prelims

Returning starters: Kyleigh Burtsell, sr., C; Eliza Carignan, sr., P/IF; Tiana Jenkins, sr., 1B/3B; Lily Corbitt, sr., OF; Taylor Renna, jr., 2B; Camdyn Despres, so., OF; Natalia Dube, so., 1B/2B

Top newcomers:  Ally Tessler, fr., P/OF; Morgan Cloutier, fr., SS/C; Kelsey Montambeault, sr., IF; Riley Carignan, fr., OF

Outlook:  The Spartans return solid pitching and hitting, especially from All-State Second Teamer Carignan, but Pembroke “needs to play better defense,” according to Carignan, who is stepping into the head coaching role after seven seasons as an assistant.

Teams to beat: Coe-Brown, Campbell, John Stark

BELMONT

Coach: Bill Clary (14th year)

Last year: 9-8, reached D-III prelims

Returning starters: Riley Cotnoir, so., C/UT; Lena Rodrigues, sr., P/SS; Madi Smith, so., P/3B; Darci Stone, jr., OF; Kate Walker, so., SS/3B

Top newcomers: Carly Drouin, sr., OF; Abbi Paquette, jr., OF; Madi MacDonald, fr., OF/UT; Meg Soucie, fr., OF

Outlook: The Raiders are looking to some solid pitching from their two returning pitchers as some of last year’s bench players move into starting positions.

“We will have some learning curves, but I believe they are all ready,” Clary said. “We play a tough schedule and Division III always has strong softball programs. I’m looking for Rodrigues to lead on the field like she has done the last three years, but also take that lead in keeping the team together off the field.”

Teams to beat: Prospect Mountain

BISHOP BRADY

Coach: Shane Baron (2nd year)

Last year: 2-14, did not make D-III tournament

Returning starters: Margaret Sheehan, sr., 1B; Payton Bryson, so., SS/P; Sophia Collie, so., P/OF; Madison Noel, so., OF; Kimble Rose, so., OF

Top newcomers: Abigail Tyrell, fr., P/SS; Ava Archambault, fr., C; Kylee Potter, jr., 3B

Outlook:  “We will have a strong presence (in the circle) with solid support behind the plate,” Baron said. “We have a deep bench that does a good job getting on base and moving runners. I anticipate a strong offense this season. We have a young team this year and will be focusing on developing natural talent.”

Teams to beat: Prospect Mountain

HILLSBORO-DEERING

Coach: Allan Kingsbury (1st year)

Last year: 5-12, reached D-III prelims

Returning starters: Abby Benn, jr.; Callia Card, so.; Haley Cloutier, sr.; Morgan Dean, so.; Haley Hathorn, sr.; Emily Howell, sr.

Top newcomers: Skyla Auger, fr.

Outlook:  After spending the last five seasons as an assistant Kingsbury moves into the head coaching role and hopes to continue to build on the progress the Hillcats made last season. H-D went 3-10 in 2021 and improved to 5-12 in 2022. 

“We have good mix of returning and new players,” Kingsbury said. “Looking to forward to snow melting and getting on field. Team has shown a positive outlook on the season and is looking forward to improving on last year’s growth.”

Teams to beat: Prospect Mountain

HOPKINTON

Coach: Dan Meserve (17th year)

Last year: 13-5, reached D-III quarterfinals

Returning starters: Maddie Carmichael, sr., SS/C; Kyanna Landry, sr., 1B/OF; Lizz Holmes, jr., OF; Steph Elrick, jr., P; Beth Taylor, sr., OF

Outlook:  The Hawks will rely on Elrick to be the workhouse in the circle and “has been looking sharp,” according to Meserve.

 First Team All-State outfielders Carmichael and Landry will likely move to infield positions, while Hopkinton will look for big years from Holmes, senior infielder Lexi Lawler and Taylor.

Senior Sammi Goldblatt and junior Ally Duval should be solid contributors while Meserve is also looking to “a nice group of freshmen and sophomores who give us depth and energy.”

“With the need to replace the entire infield from last year, it will take some time to find the right combinations,” Meserve said. “They are working hard and having fun. Former Hawk star Liz Kovar joins the coaching staff and will help Elrick tremendously.”

Teams to beat: Prospect Mountain, Gilford, Conant, St. Thomas, Monadnock

WINNISQUAM

Coach: Mark Dawalga (5th year)

Last year: 4-11, did not make D-III tournament

Returning starters: Laura Slate, sr., P; Delaney Skourtis, sr., P/OF/SS; Teagan Nelson, sr., OF; Lucy Prunier, jr., 3B/C; Bella Dill, so., 2B; Ali Max, so., OF

Top newcomers: Katie Sheridan, sr., OF; Avary Anderson, sr., OF; Lauren MacDonald, jr., 1B/P; Mackenzie Bassett, fr., SS/P; Carmilla Cote, fr., C/3B; Caidyn Carter, fr., 2B/OF; Alexis Mingolla, fr., 1B; Ava Sargent, fr., P

Outlook: With only four starters returning from last year’s squad, it is going to take time to get everyone on the same page.

“One thing for sure, everyone is working extremely hard in preseason to learn different positions,” Dawalga said. “We will lean on our returners to lead everyday in practice and games. This group has been amazing, seeing them working together and helping each other as we grow as a team. We are young. Our goal is to get better everyday and work hard to improve.”

Teams to beat: Prospect Mountain, Hopkinton, Gilford

FRANKLIN

Coach: Maddie Trefethen (6th year)

Last year: 2-12, did not make D-IV tournament

Returning starters: Lily Cornell, 8th grade, P; Savannah McPhail, jr., P; Olivia Sylvester, jr., 1B; Madi Perry, sr., 2B; Abby Pitman, so., 3B

Top newcomers: Maddie Doherty, fr., SS; Aubrey Boisvert, fr., CF

Outlook:  “This season we are looking to improve our batting, which has been off to a great start,” Trefethen said. “Last year, we struggled with this at the beginning of the season, but in the last few games we were able to find our niche. We are hoping to build on that this year. We are excited to have Cornell back for year two as our pitcher, along with McPhail.”

PITTSFIELD

Coach: Gordon Bilodeau (4th year)

Last year: 9-8, reached D-IV prelims

Outlook:  After winning just one game in 2021, the Panthers made a huge improvement in 2022 to make the tournament, and Pittsfield is hoping to continue to build off of that success.

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