Merrimack Valley’s Liv Lacasse gave up a few hits and an early lead, but she never lost her cool.
The sophomore pitcher threw all seven innings on Monday at Bow, working around eight hits and some defensive miscues to help the Pride to a 9-5 win.
“She really doesn’t let things bother her,” MV coach Kevin O’Brien said of Lacasse. “She keeps her focus and keeps her composure. She’s pretty consistent that way, and that’s what we’re looking for.”
After losing the opening game of the season to Coe-Brown, the Pride (3-1) has now won three straight. Bow (2-3) won its first two games of the season but has now dropped three in a row.
MV plated single runs in the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead. The Falcons answered with three runs (all unearned) in the bottom of the second, the big hit a two-run single from senior Katelin Howe (2-for-4).
MV didn’t wait to reply, scoring three runs in the top of the third. Arie Perry and Sadie Barton (two hits, RBI) started the inning with back-to-back singles and Kalee Keyser followed up with a double to plate Perry. A passed ball and a groundout brought home the next two runs and the Pride was back on top, 5-3.
MV upped that lead to 9-3 before the Falcons scored two in the bottom of the seventh. The Pride collected 15 hits against Bow starter Hannah McGonigle, who struck out seven over seven innings. Addie Allen had a pair of hits and an RBI for MV, Lacasse had an RBI single to help her own cause and Olivia Seeley delivered an RBI-double in the sixth inning.
“This was a good game for us and we continued to build on what we’ve been working on,” O’Brien said. “Overall I’m happy, we just need to be a little more consistent.”
First-year Bow coach Stacy Boyden, a 2005 Pembroke Academy graduate who has coached travel ball and at NHTI, was also pleased with what she saw on Monday. She got offensive contributions from Howe, junior catcher Kelly Harris (2-for-4, RBI) and McGonigle (triple). And after the team held a rare weekend practice on Sunday, Boyden saw that work pay off the next day.
“I’m trying to teach the girls the strategy part of the game and for some of them that’s new, but that’s fun for me, teaching them that part of it,” Boyden said. “Our center fielder (freshman Ella Roos) threw someone out at third where before she would probably just throw the ball in, but today she was thinking where is the lead runner and threw her out because we worked on that a lot in practice … and then she did it today so that was cool to see.”
Boyden was also pleased with the progress she saw some from her other outfielders – sophomores Emily Kiah and Amelia Clark. Those young players, plus all the young MV players (Allen, Perry and Seeley are all freshmen) also got to experience an engaged varsity crowd on Monday.
“That was the most fans we’ve had at a game this year,” Boyden said. “It was a lot of fanfare, and I have a lot of sophomores and freshman and this is their first varsity season, so I don’t think they were used to all of those fans. I think it was a little nerve-wracking, but it was good to see the crowd.”
John Stark 20, Pembroke 3
Key players: John Stark — Olivia Hargreaves (9 K, 1 BB, winning pitcher; 3-for-4, 4 runs), Izzy Nelson (HR, 6 RBI), Lilli Stogner (5-for-5, double, 3 runs); Pembroke — Eliza Carignan (2-for-3, 2 doubles, 2 runs)
Highlights: Nelson’s three-run home run in the first inning got the Generals going, and Brooke Patnode’s three-run double in the third kept them going.
Coach’s quote: “Our bats picked up right where they left off just before the April break as everyone was successful at the plate today. The team is in a really nice groove right now as everyone is settling into their roles defensively as well.” — Stark’s Gerry Morin
Records: John Stark 2-3; Pembroke 0-5
Bishop Brady 16, Trinity 0, 5 inn.
Key players: Bishop Brady — Isabella Rivera (3-for-3, 2 triples, single, 2 RBI, 2 runs), Jayden Johnson (5 IP, W, 11 K, 2 H, 0 R; HR, 3 RBI, 2 runs), Ami Rivera (double, 2 runs, 2 RBI), Halle Laramie (run, 2 RBI, hit), Ashley Brust (2 runs, RBI double), Meg Pellerin (2 runs, RBI, first varsity hit)
Highlights: Brady came out swinging and never stopped as Isabella Rivera tripled and Johnson homered as part of a five-run first inning. Isabella Rivera had another triple in the third to drive in two of Brady’s four runs in that inning.
Coach’s quote: “Good bounce back game after school vacation week. Isabella Rivera was ripping the cover off the ball and Jayden hit a bomb to deep left field. Meg Pellerin got her first varsity hit and it was great to get all 12 players involved in the game.” — Brady’s Freddy Rivera
Records: Bishop Brady 3-2; Trinity 1-3
Hopkinton 20, Hillsboro-Deering 4
Key players: Hopkinton — Megan Kimball-Rhines (6 IP, 9 K, 2 ER), Maddie Carmichael (4-for-5, 4 runs, 2 doubles), Kyanna Landry (3-for-4, 2 runs, 3 RBI, double, triple), Maurgan McGrath (3-for-5, 2 runs, 4 RBI)
Highlights: The Hawks scored 12 runs in the last two innings to break it open, providing more than enough offense for Kimball-Rhines. Eleven batters got hits on the afternoon for Hopkinton.
Coach’s quote: “Nice to see the bats come alive today. Even some of our outs were loud.” — Hopkinton’s Dan Meserve
Records: Hopkinton 5-5; Hillsboro-Deering 3-2
Concord 9, Trinity 0
Key players: Concord — Jonah Wachter (4 IP, W, 2 hits, 0 BB, 9 K; 1-for-2, run, 2 RBI), Cam McGonigle (3 IP, save, 2 hits, 0 BB, 4 K), Nate Wachter (2-for-3, run), Jarrad Willette (2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI), Ryan Kastle (hit, RBI), AJ Fennelly (hit, RBI), Charlie Levine (hit, RBI)
Highlights: Concord’s first five batters knocked out hits and the Crimson Tide sxcored seven runs in the top of the first inning in Manchester.
Coach’s quote: “Bats were hot early as we jumped out to a seven-run lead on big hits by Willette and Jonah Wachter. We got production from a bunch of guys. Wachter and McGonigle were excellent on the mound for us with 13 strikeouts between them.” — Concord’s Scott Owen
Records: Concord 5-3; Trinity 1-3
Bow 3, Merrimack Valley 0
Key players: Bow — Ethan Clark (7 IP, W, 3 H, 0 R, 6 K, 2 BB; run); Merrimack Valley — Owen Bernier (2-for-3), Gavin Wheeler (1-for-3), Aidan Lacasse (4.2 IP, 7 K, 0 H, 6 BB), Aiden Wood (1.1 IP, 2 BB, 0 H)
Highlights –
Coach’s quote: “The offense will get there. We are having some good at bats. We just need to command the strike zone and the wins will follow.” — MV’s Sean Wheeler
Records: Bow 2-2; MV 1-4
John Stark 8, Pembroke 0
Key players: John Stark — Austin Hazzard (7 IP, W, 0 R, 4 H, 10 K; 3-for-3, 2 runs, SB, BB), Brady Philibotte (3-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 runs, BB), Cooper Rivers (4-for-4, 2 doubles, RBI, 2 runs); Pembroke — Preston Wallis (4 IP, 3 K, 0 R, 10 H), Lucas Escabi (hit), Ryan Ardine (hit), Alex Chiavaras (hit)
Highlights: Pembroke’s Wallis gave up 10 hits in the first four innings, but the Spartans made plays in the field behind him and he worked out of every jam. But the Generals finally got on the board with two in the fifth and broke it open with four more in the sixth to provide more than enough support for Hazzard, who pitched his first career shutout. Chad Marin, Noah Brent and AJ Detone all collected their first varsity hits for Stark.
Coach’s quote: “We were frustrated for half the game not being able to score despite hitting the ball well, but we finally broke through and Austin pitched a great game for us.” — Stark’s Dennis Pelletier
Records: John Stark 3-2; Pembroke 2-3
Coe-Brown 15, Kearsarge 2
Key players: Coe-Brown — Jake Pelletier (2-for-4, double, grand slam, 5 RBI); Jack Jerome (2-for-2)
Highlights: Pelletier’s grand slam in the top of the fourth broke things open for the Bears, who extended their season-opening winning streak to six straight games.
Coach’s quote: “We’ve been really good about putting runs on the board early. It’s easy to stay aggressive when you’ve got a lead. I like the way we’re hitting with everyone contributing.” — Coe-Brown’s Greg Gilbert
Records: Coe Brown 6-0; Kearsarge 1-4
Hopkinton 12, Hillsboro-Deering 0
Key players: Hopkinton — Peyton Marshall (4 IP, 4 K 1 H; 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 runs), Armen Laylagian (hit, 3 RBI), Bryce Charron (hit, 2 RBI, 2 BB); Hillsboro-Deering — Zach Coombs (double)
Highlights: Hopkinton scored five runs in the first inning, the big hit a three-run double from Laylagian, to take control early. Senior Logan Briand and freshman Abram Standefer both collected their first varsity hits for the Hawks.
Coach’s quote: “Pleased with how the team went in to Hillsboro focused and ready to play. Always nice when your pitchers throw strikes and give the defense an opportunity to make plays.” — Hopkinton’s David Chase
Records: Hopkinton 4-1; Hillsboro-Deering 2-3
Pittsfield 11, CCA 1, 5 inn.
Highlights: This game was tight until Pittsfield scored eight runs in the top of the fifth to finish the game early. Pittsfield pitchers combined for a one hitter.
Records: Pittsfield 3-2; CCA 1-3
Kearsarge 8, Coe-Brown 1
Key players: Kearsarge — No. 1 singles Addy Stadler (9-8, 7-2 win at No. 1 against Skye Loto); Coe-Brown — Jacqueline Heilshorn (8-3 win at No. 5 singles)
Coach’s quote: “We are off to a great start. The girls are competing at a high level and are excited to be able to be playing matches this season.” — Kearsarge’s Elizabeth Lincoln
Records: Kearsarge 5-0; Coe-Brown 3-2
Bow 9, Pembroke Academy 0
Key players: Pembroke Academy — Sarah Bennett, Madi Apgar
Highlights: Bennett and Apgar both had tight losses in singles (8-6) and doubles (9-7). Bennett lost, 8-6, at No. 4 singles and then teamed with Emma Parsons in doubles and dropped a close 9-7 decision on the second court. Apgar, who plays No. 5 singles, had the same scores in both of her matches. She played third doubles with Abby Collings.
Coach’s quote: “Bow has a strong No. 1 player Oliva (Parzick) and she is a pleasure to watch. We are grateful for Beaver Meadow to let us use their courts for a home match. I was proud of the way the girls played and put all their energy into the match.” — Pembroke’s David W. Goulet
Records: Bow 1-4; Pembroke Academy 0-3
Hanover 9, Concord 0
Highlights: Concord’s doubles teams of Daniel Pedersen and Finn Brown (first), David Bean and Finn Conery (second) and Knox Brown and Carter Pratt (third) all showed improvement.
Records: Hanover 4-2; Concord 0-6
Bow 6, Pembroke Academy 3
Key players: Bow — Dominic Jurcins (8-5 win at No. 1 singles), Colby Smith (8-6 win at No. 3), Noah Leuchtenberger (8-0 win at No. 6); Pembroke Academy — Case Culberson (8-4 win at No. 2), Nate Quinn (8-4 win at No. 4), Ben Sporcic (8-6 win at No. 5)
Highlights: Things were all square after singles, but the Falcons swept the doubles for the win. Jurcins and Hunter Duncan claimed an 8-3 win at first doubles, Smith and Aiden Munro won 8-3 at second doubles and Oliver Dolcino and Leucthenberger teamed up for an 8-4 win at third doubles.
Records: Bow 2-3; Pembroke Academy 2-3
Kearsarge 5, Coe-Brown 4
Key players: Kearsarge — Kaelen Lundberg, Toby MacLeod, Thomas Shepherd
Highlights: Lundberg, MacLeod and Shepherd all won their singles matches for the Cougars, who were tied 3-3 after singles. Lundberg and MacLeod then teamed up for a doubles win, while Shepherd and Graham West pulled out a tiebreak win at third doubles to clinch the team win.
Records: Kearsarge 3-2; Coe-Brown 2-3
The Concord JV baseball team (3-5) defeated Trinity on Monday, 20-4. Dan Revellese earned the win, pitching five strong innings while allowing one hit. Karl Surmanis drove in three runs, and Jacob Wright and James Bruns had three hits and two RBI each for the Tide.
Kalan Gaudreault, Mitchell Coffey, Austin Wells, Joseph Mangone and Griffin Norwalt all had hits, but the Concord reserve baseball team lost to Keene, 8-0.
The Concord Crush 12U girls team defeated Hampton, 13-9. Delaney Summers, Sydney Brown, Sophia Fontaine and Sadie Pelletier paced Concord’s offense, while Emelia Raimo and Tadu Sirois led the defense.
Kendrick Clark had 35 saves in net and Liam Pinard and Ryder Wyatt played smothering defense for the Concord Crush U8 Boys-Black team in a game against Exeter.