They felt the pressure – their team’s season was on the line, after all. But Kearsarge’s Jack Van Etten and Charlie O’Connor also saw an opportunity.
The No. 3 Cougars needed just one more win to claim their Division III quarterfinal match against No. 6 Portsmouth Christian at Dover. The second and third doubles matches were both still on the court, but it was clear that Kearsarge’s third doubles team wasn’t playing its best. So Van Etten and O’Connor knew it was up to them.
“Charlie and I just realized it was our opportunity,” Van Etten, a senior captain, said. “We knew we had a chance to win the match, so we jumped at it.”
That jump landed them an 8-6 win that gave the Cougars (12-2) their fifth and decisive point in a 5-4 win. A year after missing the playoffs entirely, Kearsarge is now in the semifinals and will face No. 7 Inter-Lakes (10-5) on Thursday.
“It feels really good. We worked very intensely this year, just non-stop, everyone was committed and we did what we had to do to put ourselves here,” Van Etten said. “It was a huge improvement from last year.”
Not only did Van Etten and O’Connor win under the pressure of playoffs, they had to come back from a 5-2 deficit to do it.
“To be honest, I was starting to lose hope, but Charlie calmed me down, he’s great at that,” Van Etten said.
“Pretty much we just tell each other to relax and just don’t get too excited,” O’Connor said of his calming tactics, “but Jack says the same thing to me. He calms me down, too.”
Finding that calm allowed the pair to cut out the unforced errors, which is how their comeback began. It ended with O’Connor using his lefty serve to put the Cougars up 7-6 and then a final game full of highlights that eventually went Kearsarge’s way.
“I was able to watch that last game and it was great,” said junior Tyler Valovic, Kearsarge’s No. 1 player. “They had some really long rallies and some incredible play. It was a great match.”
As it turned out, the Cougars needed that win because the third doubles team ended up losing, 8-6, for the final point of the match for Portsmouth Christian (10-5).
Kearsarge built a 4-2 lead during singles play starting with an 8-0 win from No. 5 Matt Hubley, who was off the court so quickly Cougars Coach Lynn Miller didn’t even have time to watch him.
O’Connor gave the Cougars their second team point with an 8-2 win at No. 4.
“When I came up to net (my opponent) got a little nervous, so that was good,” O’Connor said. “And then I used the short game (to pull his opponent into the net) and that worked, too.”
The third singles point came from Van Etten, who won, 8-4. That match was tied at 4-4 when Van Etten found his groove and his serve and reeled off four straight for the win.
The final singles point came from an 8-6 win at No. 6 from Sam Williamson.
“Sam handled the pressure well near the end of the match and I thought his opponent folded a little,” Miller said. “I thought Williamson started mixing up his tactics at the end.”
From coaches’ reports
No. 2 Concord 6, No. 7 Pinkerton 3
Key players: Concord – Justin Toler (8-4 win at No. 1 singles), Aidan Connor (8-6 win at No. 2), Matt Chorlian (8-6 win at No. 4)
Highlights/key moments: The Crimson Tide lost a player before a ball was even struck when No. 4 Sebastian Hart-Meyer sprained an ankle in warmups. But the Tide overcame that disconcerting injury with a pair of singles wins from their talented top two of Toler and Connor, and then Chorlian, normally the No. 5 player, won the last three games in his match at No. 4 to tie things at 3-3 going into doubles and, “really give us some momentum,” Concord Coach Dave Page said. The Tide used that momentum to sweep the doubles – Connor and Toler won 8-3 at first doubles, Adam Bryant and Kevin Neary won 8-3 at second doubles and Chorlian and Eli Frydman won 8-5 at third doubles. Frydman, a senior who has provided the Tide with a nice insurance policy at No. 7 all season, contributed as expected when he was needed.
Coach’s quote: “We spend a lot of time practicing our doubles tactics and shot patterns and that paid off for us today. I was especially impressed with Bryant, Neary and Frydman, who were able to put very tough, close singles losses behind them and play good doubles. That’s not easy to do and the resilience they showed saved our season. To reach the semifinals is a great accomplishment for this group of kids and they should be very proud.” – Concord’s Dave Page
Records: Concord 14-1; Pinkerton 10-5
No. 7 Inter-Lakes 6, No. 2 Bow 3
Key players: Bow – Owen Molind (8-3 win at No. 4 singles), Dillan D’Allesandro (8-5 win at No. 6 singles), D’Allesandro/Mike Mullen (8-4 win at No. 3 doubles)
Highlights/key moments: In similar fashion to an early-season 5-4 win for the Falcons, Bow dropped the top-of-the-ladder matches but took advantage of the bottom contests. This time, however, the Lakers took a win in the bottom three singles spots for a 4-2 lead, then finished off the upset with an 8-0 win at first doubles.
Coach’s quote: “This is a well-coached, resilient team that just doesn’t give up. We knew it was going to be a tough match.” – Bow’s Drew Groves
Records: Bow 13-2, Inter-Lakes 10-5
Merrimack Valley 5, Kennett 2
Key players: MV – Brian Nylen (7 hits, 6 strikeouts), Joe Dougherty (1-for-2, 2 RBI)
Highlights/key moments: Joe Dougherty’s 2-run single in the second helped the Pride jump out to an early 3-0 lead. With the score 3-2 in the fifth, leftfielder Robbie Rattee turned a flyout into a double play, gunning the runner out at the plate to end the inning.
Coach’s quote: “(This) win keeps our season alive. Great team win.” – MV’s Sean Wheeler
Records: MV 4-11; Kennett 3-12
Kearsarge 5, Bishop Brady 1
Key players: Kearsarge – Jake Vierzen (7 IP, 6 hits, 6 Ks, 1 ER; 2-for-3, run), Bo Underhill (2-for-3, 2 RBI, run), Cy Courser (2 RBI, double), Joe Storozuk (double, run). Bishop Brady – Max Lamora (2 hits, RBI), JP Nemcovich (run), Tom Blandini (played well defensively).
Highlights/key moments: Kearsarge led the game 5-0 until the top of the seventh inning when Brady tacked on its lone run.
Coaches’ quotes: “Take nothing away from Kearsarge, they played well, but we played like we had a hangover from last night’s emotional win in which we lost two starters for the year due to injury. Missing our starting CF today due to illness didn’t help (either). We didn’t bring our bats today.” – Bishop Brady’s Skip Foy
“Great team win today. Jake pounded the strike zone and we had some timely hits offensively. That is a good team all-around (in Brady), so it was nice to come out with the ‘W.’ ” – Kearsarge’s Travis Pelletier
Records: Kearsarge 8-7; Bishop Brady 9-6
Franklin 10, Laconia 4
Key players: Franklin – Brendon Frechette (7 IP, 5 Ks, 3 ER; 2-for-4, run), Max Joyce (2-for-4, 2 RBI, run), Dylan Cooper (2-for-3, 3 RBI), Garrett Fleming (home run, 3 RBI), Pat Kaplan (2 RBI, run)
Highlights/key moments: Pat Kaplan knocked a double in the first inning to score two runs and get Franklin off to a fast start.
Coach’s quote: “We came out looking to play good, clean baseball against a top-five team. We did that, and Brendon threw the way he has been all season and it turned out to be a long day for Laconia hitters.” – Franklin’s Dave Joyce
Records: Franklin 9-6; Laconia 12-3
Franklin 5, Laconia 4, 8 inn.
Key players: Franklin – Hailey Haskins (5 IP, 1 hit, 1 BB, 4 runs; 1 hit), Kaylee Marshe (3 IP, 2 H, 0 runs), Anna Doherty (2 hits), Meghan Johnston (2 hits), Rachael Capri, Breanna Styles, Anna Sylvestre, Brianna Judkins, Alli Mahurin (hit apiece)
Highlights/key moments: The Golden Tornadoes ran into trouble after taking a 4-1 lead in the top of the fifth, as three Laconia runs in the bottom half tied the score and an ejection in the seventh inning forced Franklin to play the rest of the game shorthanded. This seemed to doom Franklin in the eighth, when it put two on with two outs, as Laconia needed only to walk Haskins to bring up the vacant slot and an automatic out by rule. The Laconia pitcher committed an illegal pitch on a 3-0 count, however, allowing the Tornadoes runner from third to come in with the winning run.
Coach’s quote: “Over my 20 years coaching high school softball, I have never been involved with a game like this.” – Franklin’s Skip DuBois
Records: Franklin 14-1; Laconia 4-11
Bishop Brady 15, Kearsarge 2
Key players: Bishop Brady – Abby Santis (double, 2 RBI, 2 runs), Maddy Rines (2 hits, RBI), Jamie Cookingham, (2-run home run), Lily Rivera, 2 RBI, 2 runs; 3 IP, 4 hits, 1 ER, 4 Ks), Becca Olson (2 runs, RBI), Aniecia Vargas (2 runs 2 RBI) Emily Manning (double, run; 2 IP, 1 ER, 2 hits, 2 Ks), Jackie Hill (run)
Highlights/key moments: Brady put up 12 runs in the first inning, highlighted by Cookingham’s blast over the center field fence.
Coaches’ quotes: “Second game in back-to-back nights that the bats were hot. This time we found some green in the outfield and took advantage of Kearsarge’s miscues.” – Bishop Brady’s Freddy Rivera
Records: Bishop Brady 10-5; Kearsarge 5-10
Merrimack Valley 3, Kennett 1
Key players: MV – Sam Hodkinson (7 IP, 3 hits, 4 BB, 8 K), Miranda Crane, Katelyn Hill and Cassie Carey (all with an RBI single)
Highlights/key moments: In the top of the sixth inning, with the score 3-1 and runners on first and second, Crane picked the runner off first for the second out of the inning to neutralize the threat.
Coach’s quote: “(This was) our cleanest game of the year with timely hitting to get our three runs. We still have a chance to host a first round game, but need to win Wednesday.” – MV’s Sam York
Records: MV 8-7; Kennett 4-11
Souhegan 13, Concord 8
Key players: Concord – Dan Lebell (4 goals), Spencer Burgess (2 goals), Drew Livingston (goal, assist), Tanner Rollins (2 assists), Brad Hicks (assist), Chris Cummings (assist), Sam Galvin (assist), Rob O’Connor (assist), Ethan Donlon (13 saves)
Highlights/key moments: The Crimson Tide couldn’t keep up with the Spartans and dipped a game below .500 with one remaining in the regular season.
Records: Concord 7-8; Souhegan 12-6
Bow 9, John Stark 4
Key players: Bow – Jared Reynolds (6 goals), Colin Tracy (2 assists), Brendan Ulrich (goal, assist), Ben Podis (2 goals, assist), Justin Mooney (assist), Colin Buck (assist). John Stark – Jake Blanchette (2 goals, assist), Ryan Gordon (2 goals)
Highlights/key moments: After taking a 6-2 lead into halftime, Bow was able to maintain the four-goal lead until putting one in late to seal the victory.
Coach’s quote: “This was a good team win, with a lot of credit to our defense in the clear and holding John Stark scoreless in the fourth quarter.” – Bow’s Kyle Tracy
Records: Bow 7-7; John Stark 6-7
MV 16, Pembroke 11
Key players: MV – Chase Mercier (dominant faceoffs, 1 goal, 2 assists), Dillon Arrant (3 goals, 3 assists), Warren Campbell (4 goals, 1 assist), Chris Carmichael (2 goals, 2 assists), Alex Lacy (3 goals, 1 assist), Josh Farmer (2 goals), Ryan Neylon (solid defense), Tim Brodeur (solid defense); Pembroke – Glenn Dion (6 goals, 3 assists), Kam Anderson (3 goals), Chris Arvanitis and Drew Berry (goal each)
Highlights/key moments: Mercier won 11 of the first 13 faceoffs as the Pride got off to a quick start and took a 5-2 lead after the first period. Farmer’s two goals were especially impressive considering he is a defenseman and had to run and dodge the length of the field with his long pole.
Coach’s quote: “MV has a lot of talent and Coach O’Brien put them in good spots to capitalize.” – Pembroke’s Tim Vasconcellos
Records: MV 7-6; Pembroke 5-8
Hopkinton 7, Trinity 6, 2 OT
Key players: Hopkinton – Owen Kanter (3 goals, 2 assists), Joe Cullinan (3 goals, 2 assists), Tim Jones (goal, assist) Carter Quiet (assist, great defense), Gerry Donahue (great defense), Jake Hemmerlein (great defense), Derek Amoth (14 saves)
Highlights/key moments: The game started with some great defense, as the first quarter ended with a 1-0 Hopkinton lead. The game proceeded with multiple lead changes, and came down to the wire in overtime.
Coach’s quote: “We put forth a great effort on defense and found our offensive groove later in the game. It ended up going (to) double overtime, with the Hawks scoring in the final seconds with a double post shot off of an eight-second possession.” – Hopkinton’s Deacon Blue
Records: Hopkinton 9-4; Trinity 11-2
Kearsarge 17, Bishop Brady 1
Key players: Kearsarge – Colton Wilhelm (5 goals, assist), Justin Norris (3 goals, 3 assists), Lucas Muzzey (4 goals, 2 assists)
Highlights/key moments: Kearsarge led 14-0 after three quarters.
Coach’s quote: “Guys did a great job maintaining focus as we work toward the playoffs. Brandon Butcher was great on faceoffs tonight. He gave us great energy.” – Kearsarge’s Zach Matthews
Records: Kearsarge 11-2; Bishop Brady 6-7
Concord 18, Manchester Central 5
Key players: Concord – Drew Livingston (4 goals, assist), Dan Lebell (3 goals, 2 assists), Alex Marceau (2 goals, 2 assists), Brendan Pearl (3 goals), Chris Cummings (goal, assist), Brad Hicks, Josh Larner, Spencer Burgess, Cam Gauthier, Dan Rydell (goal apiece), Sam Galvin (assist)
Highlights/key moments: On Monday, the Crimson Tide handled the Little Green with ease thanks to hat tricks from Livingston, Lebell and Pearl.
Bow 19, Hopkinton 8
Key players: Bow – Taylor Darrell (7 goals, 2 assists) Oliva Krause (3 goals, 2 assists), Sofia Darrell (3 goals), Amanda Murray and Bridget Erhenberg (2 goals, 1 assist each), Pinky Fleury (8 saves).
Records: Bow 9-3; Hopkinton 5-8