Concord baseball moves into first place after win over Bishop Guertin

NASHUA – The Concord High School baseball team earned the right to sit atop the Division I standings for now.

The Crimson Tide traveled to Holman Stadium and overcame a 3-0 first-inning deficit against Bishop Guertin with a six-run second inning during a 7-5 win during a cool and rainy afternoon on Monday, as each team came into the showdown with a 12-2 record.

“It was two very good teams out there,” said Concord coach Scott Owen. “We were able to make some plays when we needed to. It was a good win. I do not know about a big win because big wins come in the playoffs. It was a good win against a very good team in a playoff-type atmosphere. Both teams came in with that type of mentality.”

Concord senior starting pitcher Adrian Kennedy earned the win in five-plus innings on the mound, keeping his composure after allowing three earned runs in the first. He only allowed one earned run during the second through fifth, as his pitch control was exceptional with no walks. He gave up 10 hits and hit one batter.

Cardinals senior starter Noah Therrien suffered the loss in five innings of work, giving up six earned runs in the second, but he did not allow any hits or runs in any other inning during his outing. He started settling in, finishing with nine strikeouts, while walking three and hitting two batters.

“I thought both pitchers battled all day,” said Owen. “Both pitchers could have been knocked out (after their tough innings) but they stayed in through five innings, which is a credit to both those kids. Both guys settled in and kept their teams in the game.”

Kennedy also went 2 for 4 with an RBI in the cleanup spot for Concord (13-2). The Crimson tide finished with eight hits and made no errors in the field.

Bishop Guertin (12-3) clobbered 11 hits, but made three miscues on defense. The Cardinals’ lineup was led by senior Sam Boudreau (3 for 4, double, two RBIs, run), junior Brett Anderson (2 for 4, two doubles, RBI, run) and senior Alex George (2 for 4, RBI, run).

A five-hit first inning led to three runs for the Cardinals. Anderson posted a one-out double to right, and then scored during the next at bat on an RBI double down the left-field line by Boudreau. Bishop Guertin took a 2-0 lead on a one-run single to left by George, and then sophomore Jake Mitchell drove a two-out RBI single up the middle, giving the hosts a 3-0 cushion.

In the top of the second, the Crimson Tide sent 11 batters to the plate, tallied six hits, and put a six-spot on the scoreboard. An RBI single through the right side by senior Cameron Thompson opened the scoring with one down.

During the rally, senior Eric Sullivan gave the visitors the lead for good at 5-3 with a two-out, two-run triple down the right-field line, scoring senior Zachary Miles and sophomore Trevor Smith. An RBI single to right-center by Kennedy during the next at bat extended Concord’s lead to 6-3.

“We started putting the ball in play up the middle and the other way, while not trying to do too much,” said Owen. “We had three or four hits the other way, and that is when we are at our best.”

The Cardinals chipped away with one in the bottom half of the second, as senior leadoff hitter Aiden Coyne scored with two outs on a single to center by Boudreau, pulling Bishop Guertin to within 6-4.

In the sixth, a two-out RBI double to left by Anderson cut Concord’s lead down to 6-5. With Anderson on second, Concord senior Ryan Merchant struck out Boudreau, who had previously been 3 for 3 in the game.

Senior Sean McDonough opened up the top of the seventh with a single through the left side for the Crimson Tide. He ended up scoring three batters later as a result of an error by the center fielder, giving Concord some separation at 7-5.

Miles earned the save by pitching the seventh for Concord, as he only allowed one base runner and made an impressive snag on a rocket up the middle by Cardinals senior Billy Gonya on the game-clinching play.

The Cardinals will travel to Goffstown for a 4:30 p.m. start on Tuesday, while the Crimson Tide will be back in action at 4 p.m. on Friday at home against Spaulding.