Nashua North's Joel Pacheco busts his way into the Winnacunnet backfield during Friday's game.

While the Nashua High School North football defense struggled at times with tackling Friday, there was one player who was consistently on the Winnacunnet side of the line  of scrimmage.

Anyone watching film of the game will see North’s Joel Pacheco getting through the line, either forcing plays in different directions or making a big stop himself. On one series, Pacheco had two tackles for a loss, including a sack of Winnacunnet quarterback Steve Cronan.

“We played pretty good up front,” North coach Jason Robie said of his defensive line’s play.

But there were too many breakdowns in other areas for the Titans in their 27-21 overtime loss to the Warriors, things that Robie was disappointed to see a veteran team do.

So what did we learn? With the 2009 title game contestants from Division II beating both their counterparts from Division I – Bishop Guertin also defeated Salem – the gap between the state’s top two classifications may not be as big as some would like to believe.

Nashua South 49, Portsmouth 14

With top running back Derek Paradis bottled up early, South coach Scott Knight knew he and his coaches needed to find another way to move the football against the Clippers on Saturday.

“They were pinching their tackles down and the linebackers were two yards off the ball,” Knight said. “I don’t care who you play, you can’t run inside. You can run a lot of other things and that’s what we did.”

Instead, the Panthers found ways to get Armand McRae the ball on the outside; answered the call with nearly 200 yards on offense. South also found early success in the passing game on a number of short throws from Keith Farkas, which his receivers were able to turn into big gains.

So what did we learn? South may not miss Nick Haskell and Nick Frederickson as much as it thought. Also, the Panthers and Clippers are a long way removed from the 1984 Division I championship game, which Nashua won 17-14 in overtime.

Manchester Memorial 38, Milford 17

The Spartans got a big game from John Forte, but struggle overall against the Crusaders. Forte had 124 of Milford’s 174 rushing yards and added two sacks on defense, but the rest of the Spartans gained a total of just 60 yards. Milford hosts Pembroke on Friday to open the Division III season.

So what did we learn? Not a lot, other than Memorial should be concerned about converting extra points. As for Milford, the Spartans should be fine as long as they have a consistent ground game and it looks they’ve found someone to carry the load for now.

Souhegan 34, Londonderry 19

Perhaps the most surprising game of opening week, especially since the Sabers trialed 13-0 at halftime and 19-0 early in the third quarter. Souhegan got help from everyone on offense, as five different players scored and the defense held up despite being put in some tough spots early. The Sabers face another challenge on Friday, when they head to Portsmouth for the Division III opener.

So what did we learn? The faces may be new, but the cupboard certainly isn’t bare at Souhegan. And as only one of two Division III teams to win this weekend – Bedford was the other – maybe its still the Sabers’ title to lose after all.

Manchester Central 21, Alvirne 10

The Broncos had an early 7-0 lead in this one, but Alvirne couldn’t find a way to stop Central’s KK Haliburton, who had 228 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Despite being outgained 380-70, Alvirne was down just 13-10 in the fourth quarter before the Little Green went on a long drive to put the game away. The Broncos open Division II play on Friday when they host Keene.

So what did we learn? Alrine may not be on the same level as teams from Division I, but the Broncos – who made the playoffs last year – should be able to compete for a postseason spot in Division II.

Merrimack 28, Hollis/Brookline 14

Merrimack avoided what was a big trap game to open the season thanks to three touchdowns from Brody Williams, who finished with 102 yards on the ground. His 59-yard touchdown run just seconds after the Cavaliers pulled within a score helped solidify the win for the Tomahawks. While his numbers weren’t eye-opening, H/B’s Kyle Gervais completed 10-of-19 passes for 65 yards in his first varsity start. Merrimack heads to Dover on Friday for its Division II opener, while H/B has a bye week.

So what does it mean? It means both teams got what they needed out of a non-division game. Merrimack gained the confidence that comes with a win, while H/B should gain confidence knowing it hung with a school that has nearly double its enrollment.

Bishop Guertin 48, Salem 21

The Cardinals manhandled the defending Division I champs thanks to Mike Kelly’s 312 yards of total offense. At the same time, BG’s young defense was holding Salem’s running back duo of Max Jacques and Jerikson Fedrick to just 97 rushing yards combined. The Cardinals head to Timberlane on Friday to start their Division II schedule.

So what does it mean? Maybe the Cardinals aren’t as far removed from the team that won back-to-back Division II titles as everyone thought. Or maybe Salem – which also lost to Goffstown in the Queen City Jamboree – is suffering a bit of a championship hangover to start the 2010 season.

Bedford 51, Manchester West 6

This game was all about Bedford’s Jordan Garron. The junior running back carried the ball just 17 times, but rushed for 219 yards – 166 in the first half – and five touchdowns. Garron also returned the opening kickoff of the second half 85 yards for a touchdown. The Bulldogs host Goffstown on Friday in the Division III opener for both teams.

So what does it mean? The Bulldogs might already have a good understand of the new spread offense the coaching staff installed in the preseason. And maybe Manchester West hasn’t dropped down far enough.

Technorati Tags: Alvirne, Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Brookline, football, Hollis, Merrimack, Milford, Nashua North, Nashua South, Souhegan

Alek Morency was one of three Nashua North players to make the Class L first-team.

After compiling the best record in Class L, the Nashua High School North baseball team had five players receive All-State baseball honors.

The Titans had three players named to the Class L first-team to lead 29 local players who were recognized with All-State honors.

Kevin McGowan, Alek Morency and Joe Breen of North were named to the Class L first-team, as was Alvirne’s Travis Terrell. Second-team honors went to Ryan Gendron and Brandon Cox, both of Nashua South, along with Merrimack’s Colby Hoyle and Alex Trammell of Bishop Guertin. Kyle Turner (North), Anthony Guidice (North), Mike Spirito (BG), Tom Hudon (Merrimack) and Dan McCormack (South) were named to the third-team.

Souhegan placed two players on the Class I All-State first-team, with senior DJ Petropulos and sophomore Terry Dugdale receiving honors. Also making the first-team were Bedford’s Joe Maher and Hollis/Brookline’s Macyn Clifford. Bedford’s Jeff Gancarz and Nate Harrington were named to the second team, as were Souhegan’s Matt Schagrin and H/B’s Kevin Chase. Lucas Olen (Bedford), Kyle Beaulieu (Souhegan) and Kenny Glover (H/B) made the third team.

Campbell placed four players on the Class M teams, with Josh McGrath and Cullan Baker receiving first-team honors. Zach Saucier was named to the second team and Jacob Lang made the third team.

Wilton-Lyndeborough’s Tony Grazianno was the lone Warrior to be named All-State, making the Class S third team.

Technorati Tags: Alvirne, baseball, Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Brookline, Campbell, Hollis, Lyndeborough, Merrimack, Nashua North, Nashua South, Souhegan, Wilton

Alvirne's Taylor Carbone was one of 12 local softball players to receive first-team All-State honors.

A dozen local softball players were named All-State first team, and 24 players total received All-State honors. Two local coaches also were honored as Coach of the Year in their respective classes.

In Class L, Alvirne’s Taylor Carbone, Nashua North’s Rebekah Jackson and Nashua South’s Kaitlyn Belair all received first team honors. Nicole Abreu (Alvirne), Chelsea Ogozaly (Bishop Guertin), Rachel Bohannan (Merrimack) and Aimee LaLancette (Nashua North) were named to the second team, while Stephanie Roy (Merrimack) received honorable mention.

Bedford coach Derek Geddes was named Coach of the Year in Class I, and two Bulldogs, Heather Fyfe and Casey Levis, were named first team. Joining them were Hollis/Brookline’s Katie Dion and Meghan Gervais along with Abby Douglas of Milford and Bree Gunter of Souhegan.

Christine Connors (Hollis/Brookline), Jackie Caswell (Milford) and Angela Mukai (Souhegan) were named to the second team and Morgan Mason (Milford) and Sam Jones (Souhegan) received honorable mention.

In Class M, Campbell’s Laurie Gatherum was named Coach of the Year while Julia Nolan and Chelsea Caynon received first-team honors. Campbell’s Erin King was named to the second team.

In Class S, Wilton-Lyndeborough’s Marika Thompson was named to the first team and Sam Broderick received second-team honors.

Technorati Tags: all state, Alvirne, Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Brookline, Campbell, Hollis, Lyndeborough, Merrimack, Milford, Nashua North, Nashua South, softball, Souhegan, Wilton

From left, Bishop Guertin's Tiffany Ann Stanton, Kristianna Purington and Nicole Pettiglio celebrate the Cardinals' win over Bow. For more photos, go to the Photo Album.

The Bishop Guertin High School girls lacrosse team made a bit of history on Saturday in the Division II semifinals.

For the first time in their nine-year history, the Cardinals defeated Bow, 12-9 at Southern New Hampshire University. That win keeps the Falcons out of the Division II final for the first time ever.

“I said (to the team), we could make history for Bow,” BG coach Ron Cote said. “We could be making history on so many levels. That kind drove my team today. We had never beaten them ever. They knew where they needed to be today and I’m so proud of them.”

Julia Wright scored three goals to lead the No. 3 Cardinals (13-2) while Rosie Buchanan had two goals and two assists and Kristianna Purington and Callie Santos had two goals and an assist each.

The Cards will take on No. 4 Portsmouth in the Division II final on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at SNHU. The Clippers upset No. 1 Winnacunnet, which had been undefeated, in the other semifinal.

Boys lacrosse

Two late goals by Bedford helped propel the No. 2 Bulldogs past No. 3 Dover 9-8 in the Division II semifinals on Saturday at Exeter High School.

Dover tied the game at 7 with about seven minutes left before and a costly penalty by the Green Wave gave the Bulldogs the opportunity they needed. Connor Sullivan scored to make it 8-7 and Tyler MacKay added an insurance goal 25 seconds later to make it 9-7.

Bedford (14-2) will now face No. 1 Bow (14-2), which defeated No. 5 Winnacunnet, in the final on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Exeter.

In the Division III semifinals, No. 6 Hollis/Brookline saw its season come to an end at the hands of No. 2 Derryfield, 12-6, at Stellos Stadium in Nashua. The Cavaliers made it a 6-4 game just before halftime and seemed to have the momentum, but the Cougars opened the third quarter with three goals in two minutes to take control.

Patrick Clark and Andrew Green each had two goals for H/B (9-6), while Kyle Moynihan had a goal and an assist. Goalie Alvaro Guzman finished the game with 23 saves.

Baseball

Top-seeded Nashua North won its 14th game in a row, holding off No. 9 Spaulding 3-2 in the Class L quarterfinals on Saturday at Holman Stadium. Kevin McGowan, Jake Mellin and Alek Morency pitched well in the win for the Titans (18-3), who will face No. 4 Salem in the semifinals on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Holman Stadium.

North scored all three of its runs on one play in the second inning. With runners on second and third, Louis Tarantino bunted, and a throwing error allowed the two runners to score. Tarantino headed for third on the play, and another error allowed him to score.

Also in Class L, No. 11 Alvirne saw its season come to an end in a 13-3 loss to No. 3 Londonderry. The Lancers will take on No. 7 Keene, the defending champion, in the other semifinal. Keene defeated No. 15 Pinkerton 20-3.

In Class I, No. 1 Portsmouth defeated No. 8 Hollis/Brookline 4-0 to advance to the semifinals. The win was the Clippers’ 61st in a row, which ties them for the 10th-longest winning streak in high school baseball history.

Mike Chase pitched well for the Cavaliers (10-8), but gave up a three-run home run to Jack Gonsalves in the fifth inning that put the game away. Kenny Glover and Ian Fay had the only H/B hits off Portsmouth starter Nate Jones, who had nine strikeouts and needed just 82 pitches.

The Clippers will face No. 4 Con-Val in the semifinals at 8 p.m. at Gill Stadium on Wednesday.

Also in the Class I quarterfinals, No. 7 Bedford upset No. 2 St. Thomas, 11-10. The Bulldogs, who split two games with the Saints during the regular season, battled back from a 6-0 deficit to tie the game 9-9. St. Thomas got a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth from Jordan Bean to retake the lead.

But Bedford put together three hits and a hit batter to take an 11-10 lead in the top of the seventh. Mike LaFlamme scored the winning run on a hit by Matt Woodmansee and the Bulldogs stranded the lead-off runner in the bottom of the inning.

Bedford will face No. 3 Lebanon in the other semifinal at 4 p.m. at Gill Stadium on Wednesday.

In Class M, No. 5 Campbell had its season ended by No. 4 Fall Mountain, 7-6 in the quarterfinals.

Softball

Nashua North gave up five runs in the first inning to fall to Londonderry 7-0 in the Class L quarterfinals. The No. 5 Titans’ starter Aimee Lalancette allowed all five runs in the first inning. The No. 4 Lancers will face No. 1 Concord in the semifinals on Wednesday.

Souhegan needed some late heroics to knock off St. Thomas 4-3 in the Class I quarterfinals. Samantha Jones hit a two-run home run with two outs in the fifth inning to give the No. 4 Sabers (13-5) the lead. Ashley Tighe added a two-run single in the second inning.

The Sabers will take on No. 1 Kennett in the semifinals at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Memorial Field in Concord. Kennett defeated No. 8 Milford 8-3 in the quarterfinals.

No. 11 Coe-Brown continued its run through the Class I playoffs, knocking off No. 3 Bedford 3-2, for its second upset of the tournament. The Bears have won 11 of their last 12 games and will face No. 2 Bishop Brady in the other semifinal.

In Class M, No. 2 Campbell advanced to the semifinals with a 6-1 win over No. 10 Somersworth. The Cougars will face No. 3 Sanborn at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at Plymouth State University, as they try to return to the final for the second-straight year.

Wilton-Lyndeborough will also head to PSU for the Class S semifinals after the undefeated Warriors knocked off No. 9 Gorham 6-1. Sam Broderick had a two-run single in the first inning and also got the win, striking out nine and allowing six hits.

The No. 1 Warriors will take on No. 4 Pittsfield on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at PSU.

Technorati Tags: Alvirne, baseball, Bedford, Bishop Guertin, boys lacrosse, Brookline, Campbell, girls lacrosse, Hollis, Lyndeborough, Milford, Nashua North, softball, Souhegan, Wilton

Alvirne and Nashua South will meet in the first round of the Class L baseball tournament.

The NHIAA released the first-round matchups for the high school baseball tournaments, which are scheduled to begin on Thursday.

Eight local teams will participate, and while there are some interesting first-round matchups, its the games that could be played in the later rounds that are most intriguing.

Class L

With Nashua North (16-3) and Nashua South (12-7) on opposite sides of the bracket, the possibility for an All-Gate City Class L championship game is there, but it’s a long way off.

North earned the No. 1 seed in the tournament, and will get to host No. 16 Manchester Central (7-12) at 4 p.m. on Thursday. The Titans clobbered the Little Green during the regular season, beating them 10-1 on April 28. The winner will get to face either No. 8 Trinity (10-9) or No. 9 Spaulding (10-9) in the quarterfinals.

Also in that half of the bracket, No. 4 Salem (12-7) will host No. 13 Exeter (9-10), while No. 5 Manchester Memorial (12-7) takes on No. 12 Timberlane (9-10) in the first round.

South is the sixth seed and will get to host No. 11 Alvirne (9-10) on Thursday at 4 p.m. The Panthers beat the Broncos earlier this season in Nashua, winning 6-5 on May 21. The winner will take on the winner of No. 3 Londonderry (14-5) or No. 14 Concord (8-11).

Finishing out the bracket, No. 2 Goffstown (16-4) will take on No. 15 Pinkerton Academy (8-11) and No. 7 Keene (12-8), the defending champion, will host No. 10 Dover (9-10).

Class I

Portsmouth (16-0) will carry its 59-game winning streak into the playoffs. The top-seeded Clippers take on No. 16 Oyster River  (7-9) in the first round.

The winner will face either No. 8 Hollis/Brookline (9-7) or No. 9 Kennett (9-7). Those two will meet for the first time this season at 4 p.m. on Thursday in Hollis.

If the Cavaliers and Clippers both advance, it will set up the same scenario from the 2007 Class I tournament, when the eighth-seeded Cavs knocked off the top-seeded Clippers on the way to the title. That was also the last time Portsmouth has lost a game.

Souhegan (13-3) is the fifth seed and will host No. 12 Merrimack Valley (8-8) at 4 p.m. on Thursday in Amherst. The winner there will advance to face either No. 4 Con-Val (12-4) or No. 13 Kearsarge (8-8).

No. 7 Bedford (10-6) will host its first tournament game, taking on No. 10 Bishop Brady at 4 p.m. on Thursday. Whoever wins that game will face either No. 2 St. Thomas (13-3) or No. 15 Bow (6-10) in the quarterfinals.

No. 3 Lebanon (15-1) takes on No. 14 Coe-Brown (8-8) while No. 6 Pembroke (9-7) hosts No. 11 Hanover (10-6) in the first round.

Class M

After finishing the regular season with an 11-5 record, Campbell will be the fifth seed when the tournament starts on Thursday. The Cougars will host No. 12 Sanborn (9-8) at 4 p.m. in Litchfield. The teams split two games this season, with Sanborn winning the season-opener on April 12, 5-4, and Campbell taking a 6-2 win on May 13.

The winner will face either No. 4 Fall Mountain (12-4) or No. 13 Belmont (8-8) in the quarterfinals.

Somersworth went 16-0 to earn the top seed, and it will host No. 16 Stevens (6-11). The winner will take on No. 8 Mascenic (11-6) or No. 9 Franklin (10-6).

On the bottom part of the bracket, No. 2 Winnisquam (15-2) host No. 15 Conant (6-10) while No. 7 Berlin (11-5) takes on No. 10 Inter-Lakes (10-6). Hopkinton (14-3) is the third seed and will face No. 14 Prospect Mountain (7-9) and No. 6 Farmington (11-5) will host No. 11 Mascoma Valley (9-7).

Class S

Despite winning just three games this year, Wilton-Lyndeborough is in the Class S tournament. The Warriors (3-12) are the No. 15 seed and will face No. 2 Pittsfield (13-3) at 4 p.m. on Thursday. The teams split two games this season, as Pittsfield won at WLC 8-3 on April 19, and the Warriors won on the road 5-2 on May 17.

The winner will face either No. 7 Sunapee (10-6) or No. 10 Woodsville (9-7) in the quarterfinals.

The rest of the bottom part of the bracket has No. 3 Lisbon (12-3) facing No. 14 Lin-Wood (4-12) and No. 6 Portsmouth Christian (9-5) hosting No. 11 Derryfield (8-8).

Pittsburg, last year’s champion, is the No. 1 seed after finishing with a 15-1 record, and will host No. 16 Moultonborough (3-13) in the first round. The winner will get either No. 8 Gorham (11-7) or No. 9 Littleton (9-7).

No. 4 Hinsdale (11-4) hosts No. 13 Profile (6-10) while No. 5 Newmarket (11-5) takes on No. 12 Colebrook (7-9).

Technorati Tags: Alvirne, baseball, Bedford, Brookline, Campbell, Class I, Class L, Class M, Class S, Hollis, Lyndeborough, Nashua North, Nashua South, Souhegan, Wilton

Taylor Carbone and the Alvirne softball team are the No. 3 seed in Class L.

High school softball fans will have plenty of local games to choose from when the tournaments begin on Wednesday.

The NHIAA released the pairings for all four classes of softball on Tuesday, and 11 local teams will be participating, with eight of them playing the first round at home.

Class L

After finishing the season with a 17-3 record, Alvirne enters the tournament as the No. 3 seed and will host No. 14 Pinkerton Academy (8-11) in the preliminary round at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Hudson. The Broncos won the lone regular-season meeting between the two teams 12-8 on May 26.

The winner will move on to the quarterfinals to face either No. 6 Spaulding (12-7) or No. 11 Nashua South (9-10). The Panthers defeated the Red Raiders 4-3 on April 14, in the first game of the season for both teams. The preliminary round game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in Rochester.

On the other side of the bottom of the bracket, No. 2 Salem (17-2), which has won nine in a row, hosts No. 15 Timberlane (6-13) and No. 7 Dover (11-8) hosts No. 10 Manchester Central (10-9). The winners of those games will play in the quarterfinals.

Nashua North (14-5) earned the No. 5 seed and will host No. 12 Bishop Guertin (9-10) at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Titans won the regular-season meeting on April 23, 4-3. The winner gets either No. 4 Londonderry (16-3), which is on an 11-game win streak, or No. 13 Manchester Memorial (8-11) in the quarterfinals.

Merrimack (10-9) earned the No. 9 seed, but stumbled into the playoffs having lost five of their final eight games. The Tomahawks will head to Hampton to face No. 8 Winnacunnet (10-9) at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Warriors won the lone regular-season meeting on May 10, 4-3.

The winner will face either No. 1 Concord (18-1) or No. 16 Trinity (5-14) in the quarterfinals.

Class I

All four local participants will host first-round games on Wednesday.

Bedford (12-4) finished the season as the No. 3 team in the standings, according to the Heal Point System. After opening the season with 10 straight wins, the Bulldogs have lost four of their final six. They host No. 14 Merrimack Valley (9-7) at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The teams didn’t meet in the regular season.

The winner will take on either No. 6 Hollis/Brookline (11-5) or No. 11 Coe-Brown Academy (10-6). The Cavs will host the first round game against the Black Bears at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Bears won the regular-season meeting 10-2 on May 12.

On the other side of the bottom of the bracket, No. 2 Bishop Brady (15-1) hosts No. 15 Con-Val (6-10) while No. 7 John Stark (11-5) hosts No. 10 Portsmouth (11-5).

Souhegan (11-5) is the No. 4 seed and will host No. 13 Monadnock (8-8) at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Amherst. The Sabers won both games against the Huskies this season, winning 14-2 on April 29 and 8-7 on May 3. The winner will face either No. 5 Laconia (13-3) or No. 12 St. Thomas (8-8)

Milford (10-6) earned the No. 8 seed and will take on No. 9 Plymouth (10-6) at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Keyes Field. The teams didn’t meet during the regular season. The winner will take on either No. 1 Kennett (14-2) or No. 16 Lebanon (8-8) in the quarterfinals.

Class M

Campbell (15-1), which finished the regular season without losing to a Class M opponent, is the No. 2 seed in the tournament, and will host No. 15 White Mountains Regional (6-10) at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Litchfield. The teams didn’t play each other during the regular season.

The winner will take on either No. 7 Conant (11-5) or No. 10 Somersworth (9-7) in the quarterfinals.

Winnisquam (16-1) is the No. 1 seed and will host No. 16 Epping (5-11) in the first round, with the winner taking on either No. 8 Berlin (10-6) or No. 9 Gilford (10-6).

No. 4 Franklin (14-2) hosts No. 13 Mascoma Valley (8-8) in the first round, while No. 5 Stevens (14-3) hosts No. 12 Newfound (8-8). The winners will meet in the quarterfinals.

No. 3 Sanborn (15-2) will take on No. 14 Fall Mountain (7-11), with the winner facing either No. 6 Hopkinton (12-4) or No. 11 Farmington (8-8).

Class S

After another undefeated regular season, Wilton-Lyndeborough (15-0) is the top seed in the tournament. The Warriors will host No. 16 Derryfield (1-14) at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. WLC won both regular season meetings, sweeping a doubleheader on May 12, 25-2 and 19-6. The winner will face either No. 8 Sunapee (9-7) or No. 9 Gorham (10-6).

Also on the top half of the bracket, No. 4 Pittsfield (13-3) will host No. 13 Moultonborough (6-10) and No. 5 Lin-Wood (10-6) hosts No. 12 Profile (6-10).

No. 2 Colebrook (15-1) takes on No. 15 Hinsdale (2-13), with the winner facing either No. 7 Littleton (9-7) or No. 10 Portsmouth Christian (7-7). No. 3 Woodsville (13-3) hosts No. 14 Groveton (6-10) and No. 6 Newmarket (10-6) faces No. 11 Pittsburg (7-9).

Technorati Tags: Alvirne, Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Brookline, Campbell, Class I, Class L, Class M, Class S, Hollis, Lyndeborough, Merrimack, Milford, Nashua North, Nashua South, playoffs, softball, Souhegan, Wilton

Technorati Tags: Alvirne, Bishop Guertin, boys track, Class L, girls track, Merrimack, Nashua North, Nashua South

The Bishop Guertin boys track team poses with the Class L championship plaque. For more photos from the meet, go to the Photo Album.

MERRIMACK – The Bishop Guertin High School boys track team squeaked out a one-point win over Nashua North at the Class L boys track championship meet on Friday at Merrimack High School.

The Cardinals scored 95 points to win their first outdoor title since 1977, while the Titans had 94 and came up just short of winning the school’s first track championship.

“The guys were great,” North coach Nate Burns said. “We came up a little shore, but I’m proud of them. It’s great to see because they care so much about it and they’re a team. They put so much into it together.”

The Titans got individual wins from Kevin Rosenberg (shot put) and Eric Muite (110-meter hurdles) while Andre Williams, Jahmar Gathright and Myles Parker also stepped up to help lead North to second.

BG got first-place finishes from Francis Hernandez (1,600) and Jeff LaCoste (3,200), along with first in the 4×800 relay.

Nashua North's Jahmar Gathright, right, cheers on Andre Williams after passing on the baton during the 4x100 relay.

Merrimack, which finished third, was led by Devin Martin, who won the long jump; Tom Duda, who won the 300 hurdles; and Steve Harshman, who won the 400. The Tomahawks won the 4×400 relay.

Colin Quinn led South with a first-place finish in the javelin.

For more details, go here. For complete results, go here.

Girls

BG got solid performances, but it wasn’t enough to top Manchester Central. The Little Green won its second straight title, recording 82 points. The Cards were second with 76.

Arianna Vailas finished first in both the 800- and 1,600-meter runs to lead Central.

Cecilia Barowski came in first in the 400 to go with second in the 200 and third in the 100 for BG. Beth McKenna and Melissa LaCoste also did well for the Cards, who won the 4×800 relay.

Merrimack got a first-place finish in the 100 from Kailey Blain, while Ivy Muchuma won both the javelin and the shot put for North. Nashua South’s Victoria Rapsis cleared a personal-best of 9-feet, 6-inches to win the pole vault.

Merrimack's Kailey Blain competes in the long jump.

For more details, go here. For complete results, go here.

Editor’s note: For more highlights from the meet – including video of the boys and girls 100 and 200 and hurdle sprints – be sure to check back throughout the weekend.

Technorati Tags: Alvirne, Bishop Guertin, Class L, Merrimack, Nashua North, Nashua South, track

Alvirne's Adam Nardelli slides around the tag of Nashua South's Frank Guarino during Friday's game. For more photos, go to the Photo Album.

NASHUA – This time, the Nashua High School South baseball team got to the ace.

A day after getting shutout on two hits by Kevin Vieuleux, Manchester Central’s top pitcher, the Panthers wasted little time in roughing up Alvirne ace Travis Terrill on Friday. South batted around in the first inning, scoring five runs, and held on for a 6-5 victory over the Broncos in Class L action.

Matt Valcourt had two hits, including a two-run single in the first inning, and also scored a run, while Brandon Cox picked up the win by going 4 1/3 innings and allowing one earned on five hits and a walk. Cox also struck out four and helped his cause with an RBI single.

Mitch Brun, Alvirne’s No. 2 starter, came on in relief of Terrill in the second inning and managed to hold South’s offense in check. Brun went six innings, allowing one run on two hits and three walks with five strikeouts.

After the Panthers opened up a 5-0 lead through one inning, the Broncos twice closed the gap to one run. Despite the comeback, Alvirne coach Mike Lee wasn’t thrilled by the outcome.

“Coming back is good, but when you’re throwing your No. 1 and No. 2 at them, you’d like to come away with a ‘W,’ ” Lee said. “It’s nice to come back, but I’m not happy when I have one and two available and don’t get a win.”

Alvirne's Mitch Brun delivers a pitch.

South coach B.J. Neverett was glad to see his team turn on the offense early after being shut down in its previous game.

“Yesterday we saw a good pitcher and we didn’t get him,” Neverett said. “Today we came out smoking. We hit his mistakes. He’s very good. He may not have had his best stuff today, but he’s a very good pitcher.”

The first four South batters reached base against Terrill in the first inning. The Alvirne senior recorded the first out by getting Matt Hughes to ground out to first, but a run still scored on the play.

One batter later, Valcourt made it 4-0 with his two-run hit up the middle, and he came around to score on a single by Andrew Dunn. Terrill was able to get out of the inning by striking out the last two hitters in the Panthers’ lineup.

“This was a day he just wasn’t on,” Lee said of Terrill. “Mitch Brun did a great job of keeping us in.”

Brun came on in relief after Terrill gave up a double to Ryan Gendron to start the second inning. In four of Brun’s five innings, the Panthers put a runner into scoring position, but only got one more run on the board.

“Their pitcher that came in in relief did a great job, kept us at bay and we had to hold on,” Neverett said. “They’re scrappy, they hung in there really well. We played a little defense at the end and that helped.”

But it was a defensive miscue that let Alvirne back in the game.

Dave Webster got the Broncos’ first hit of the game, singling to leadoff the fourth inning. Brun followed with a towering fly ball to center field that Jason Russo appeared to get underneath, but the ball carried a little further and glanced off Russo’s glove for a two-base error

South's Andrew Dunn tries to block the plate as Alvirne's Alex Russo tries to score.

Peter Radziewicz and Alex Russo each drove in a run to get Alvirne on the board. Russo then made it 5-3 when he and Adam Nardelli, who singled, successfully executed a double steal. Ethan Hurley then singled to center to score Nardelli and cut the lead to 5-4.

“The error in center field opened the door for them,” Neverett said. “They may still have gotten runs in that inning if we catch the ball. I think the error shook all of us a little.”

South got some breathing room in its half of the fifth. Hughes led off with a walk, stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. Brun struck out Valcourt and Dunn, but Russo hit a two-out double to score Hughes.

Alvirne got the run back in the sixth on a RBI single by Colton Houle. The Broncos got the leadoff runner on in the top of the seventh, but with one out, Dylan Lustig forced Radziewicz to ground into a double play to end the game.

“I thought Lustig pitched well,” Neverett said. “That was his fourth save. They’re scrappy, they hung in there really well.”

Technorati Tags: Alvirne, baseball, Class L, Nashua South

Alvirne's Taylor Carbone took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. For more photos, go to the Photo Album.

HUDSON – On most softball fields, Nicole Abreu would have had a walk-off grand slam.

Instead, the Alvirne High School sophomore had to settle for a sacrifice fly that plated one run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Unfortunately, the Broncos couldn’t get any others home and fell to Concord, 3-2, in a Class L game on Monday.

With Alvirne up 1-0, Taylor Carbone took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, but the Crimson Tide were able to put three runs on the board on three hits and a walk. Carbone finished with 13 strikeouts while allowing three earned runs on three hits and five walks.

Carbone also drove in the Broncos’ first run of the game in the fifth inning with a two-out single.

“We probably have had six home runs this year that were triples or doubles,” Alvirne coach Denise Rioux said. “My cleanup hitter has probably hit three that would be home runs.”

Through the first six innings, it didn’t look like Alvirne (13-3) would need many runs at all. Carbone only got into any trouble in the second inning, when Concord’s Paige Hansen and Jasmine Morin each drew a walk, giving the Tide two runners on with one out.

But Carbone battled back to get the next two outs to end the inning. Concord (15-0) also had a runner on in the fifth and the sixth, but both times left her stranded at first.

“She does a great job out there,” Concord coach Duke Sawyer said. “She mixed up her pitches real well. She’s tough.”

Concord pitcher Kelsey Martel matched Carbone early, retiring the first six batters. Kaela Craven doubled to lead off the third inning and moved to third on a bunt by Katie Donovan, but was stranded there.

In the fourth, after Martel opened the inning by striking out Abreu and Carbone, the Broncos loaded the bases on an error, a walk and a single. But Martel regrouped and struck out Craven to end the inning.

Finally in the fifth, Alvirne got on the board.

Jess Underwood singled with one out, and Mikayla Powlowsky tried to bunt her over. Powlowsky’s bunt hit the glove of Rachel Robertson as it went down the third base line and both runners were safe. After a strikeout by Abreu, Carbone drove in Underwood to give Alvirne a 1-0 lead.

Katie Donovan takes a swing during Monday's game.

Carbone pitched around a walk in the sixth inning but ran into trouble to open the seventh. Mel Lehtinen opened the inning with Concord’s first hit and Morin followed with a walk. Carbone struck out Ashley Liotti, but Robertson bunted for an infield single to load the bases.

Katie Kennard followed by lining a single into left field, and the ball got by outfielder Chelsey Drew. All three runners scored and Kennard went safely into third base.

“I’ve got to admit, I didn’t know if we were going to come back against their pitcher,” Sawyer said. “My bottom of the order has come through all year long when they had to. Again, they just put the ball in play, which is what we preach.”

Carbone battled back to get the final two outs without any more damage and Alvirne trailed 3-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh.

“I thought with their five, six and seven (hitters), we might be able to get it done,” Rioux said. “I like the way my kids responded. A lot of people would have been deflated after a top of the seventh like that. My kids came right back.”

Donovan led off the seventh with a single and Underwood reached on an error before Powlowsky bunted for another base hit, loading the bases with no one out.

Abreu crushed the first pitch she saw to center, but with an open outfield, Concord’s Makris had plenty of room – and speed – to track the fly ball down. Donovan was able to tag and score to make it 3-2, but Carbone struck out and Drew popped up to center to end the game.

“We got the breaks at the end,” Sawyer said. “That’s a great team over there. They’re going to make a lot of noise in the playoffs.”

Technorati Tags: Alvirne, Class L, softball