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# Big inning helps Bulldogs get past Sabers
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/big-inning-helps-bulldogs-get-past-sabers/
- Published: 2011-04-12T15:48:38.000Z
- Updated: 2011-04-12T15:48:38.000Z
- Description: BEDFORD - The Bedford High School baseball team scored four times in the bottom of the fifth inning and Joe Maher worked ahead of Souhegan's hitters most of the afternoon to help the Bulldogs to a 5-2 victory Monday in the Division II opener for both teams.
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division II, Division III-IV, Spring Sports, baseball, Bedford, Souhegan, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bc/58/bc5866d0-9fd9-4113-b959-670d6f16471d/content/images/www-nh-highschoolsports-com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/shsbhsbball0411-bhs32-3.jpg "SHSBHSbball0411 BHS32-3")

BEDFORD - The Bedford High School baseball team scored four times in the bottom of the fifth inning and Joe Maher worked ahead of Souhegan's hitters most of the afternoon to help the Bulldogs to a 5-2 victory Monday in the Division II opener for both teams.

Maher picked up the win by striking out 11 over six innings, allowing one earned run on three hits and two walks. The Bedford senior also drove in two runs in the fifth on a double that bounced off the fence in right-center field. Nate Harrington, the Bulldogs' No. 9 hitter, went 2-for-2, scoring two runs and driving in two more in the fifth in an at bat that proved to be a turning point in the game.

"One thing we haven’t been able to do the last few years is start hot with the bats," Bedford coach Craig Blahnik said. "We’re always real slow with the bats and this year, we’re hopefully going to start a little quicker."

Terry Dugdale suffered the loss for Souhegan, going five innings and giving up five runs on seven hits to go with five strikeouts. The Sabers got RBIs from Nick Hession and Tyler Manoogian (1-for-3 each), both of which came in back-to-back at bats in the top of the fourth. Chris Chininis (two steals) and Robby McCormick also had a hit each for Souhegan.

"I thought there were a lot of positives and that’s what it’s all about," Souhegan coach Bill Dod said. "I’m thrilled how we played. We want to play at this level all the time, we just don’t want to end up on this side of it."

Maher and Dugdale made the game a pitchers' duel through the first 4 1/2 innings, as both were able to keep the other team's hitters off balance and work out of trouble when needed. Bedford got on the board first on a RBI double from Mike Skilton in the bottom of the third that score Harrington, but Souhegan answered back in the fourth to take a 2-1 lead.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bc/58/bc5866d0-9fd9-4113-b959-670d6f16471d/content/images/www-nh-highschoolsports-com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/shsbhsbball0411-shs20-3.jpg "SHSBHSbball0411 SHS20-3")

The Sabers had a chance for more in their half of the fifth. Chininis singled with one out in the inning and reached third on a stolen base and passed ball, but Maher made sure he stayed there by striking out Chris Almeida and getting Matt Schagrin to ground out.

Bedford's Justin Walsh and Dan Hughes led off the bottom of the fifth with back-to-back singles and both advanced on a wild pitch. Dugdale got ahead of Harrington, but Bedford's No. 9 hitter fouled off a few pitches and battled back to a full count. On the seventh pitch of the at bat, he singled to score Walsh and Hughes to put the Bulldogs up 3-2.

After a strikeout and an error, Maher crushed his two-run double off the fence, adding two more runs, but Dugdale regrouped and struck out Andy Lalonde and Sam McClain to end the inning.

"I thought Terry did a great job," Dod said. "The tank was empty. He competed. His pitch count going into that last inning was great. That inning got him to 94 pitches. He pitched a lot in that last inning. Kyle (Beaulieu) did a great job behind the plate."

The Sabers had another opportunity in the seventh against Bedford reliever Ryan Mossman. Zach Polio, who came on in the sixth in relief of Dugdale, drew a one-out walk and pinch hitter McCormick singled. Pinch runner Tyler Hansis made it to third safely, but McCormick was thrown out trying to advance to second. Chininis then popped up to end the game.

Both teams are back in action on Wednesday, as Souhegan heads to Kingswood for a 4:15 p.m. game while Bedford heads to Oyster River for a 4 p.m. start.