In the preseason Duke Sawyer’s two biggest questions were how the Tide would score runs and how the newcomers would fit into a shifting lineup. If there were any lingering concerns heading into Friday’s game, Kiley Taylor put them to rest. 

Taylor, a freshman, smacked a double to the left field wall, bringing home her older sister, sophomore Maggie, for the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning to secure a 7-6 victory for the Concord High School softball team (5-3) over the Dover Green Wave (3-5)on Friday evening at Memorial Field.

The walk-off capped a near-perfect day for Kiley, who was 4-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI, and extended the Crimson Tide’s win streak to four games.

Concord went 4-0 over the vacation week, outscoring opponents 49-7, a whopping 12.25 runs scored per game. It was also the Tide’s third straight error-free game, as Concord’s fielders did an excellent job supporting starter Natalee Rowell, who allowed three runs and five hits in seven innings, while striking out six and walking one.

“Overall it was a good win for this part of the season. Both teams played pretty well. The kids bore down and did what they had to do and got some timely hits,” Concord head coach Duke Sawyer said. “We’re a young team, but there’s quite a bit of softball experience among them. We’re putting it together. We’re starting to get more stabilized in the infield and outfield, and pretty steady in the rotation.”

The Tide responded to multiple deficits on Friday night, trailing 1-0 heading into the bottom of the third, 3-1 in the fourth and 6-5 in the sixth. 

Kiley Taylor had clutch hits multiple times on Friday, singling in the bottom of the sixth. She was replaced by a pinch runner, freshman Emerson Frazier, who advanced on a double by junior Jaylyn Wessling and scored the game-tying run to force extras thanks to an RBI single from freshman Bailey Cassin.

Kiley Taylor also had an RBI single in the third to put Concord on the board and had an RBI double in the fourth to give the Tide a 4-3 lead, their first lead of the game. Maggie Taylor was 2-for-4 with a double and had an RBI single in the fourth.

“The Taylor girls, they follow their sister Sarah,” said Sawyer, referring to Sarah Taylor, a 2024 graduate and who is now playing Division I college softball at Stonehill. “They’ve clearly learned from someone. They’re good hitters. It must be in their blood.”

Concord also had a strong day at the plate from senior Andie Moreira (1-for-2, three walks, two runs), while sophomore Rowell (1-for-4, double) had a big hit in addition to getting the win in the circle. Cassin, a freshman, was 1-for-3 with an RBI and struck out the side in an inning of relief, while Wessling was 2-for-4 and nearly gave Concord the win in the sixth inning, but was thrown out stealing home.

Freshman second baseman Ella Chrabolowski played well in her first varsity start, snagging a hard hit line drive out of the air for a key out and contributing to Concord’s error-free performance.

It was an excellent week for the Tide, but Concord faces stiffer tests this week against Salem, Keene and Portsmouth.

“We’re not moving people around (anymore). They’re getting more comfortable out there. They’re better used to the pitching. They’ve been playing very well as far as defense goes right now,” Sawyer said. “But (this) week is going to tell how far we’ve come so far this year.”