Wiberg's big day helps lift Exeter softball to opening win over Nashua South

NASHUA – Sam Wiberg is a jack of all trades on the softball field.

The junior pitcher for the Exeter High School softball team went the distance, giving up only one run and striking out eight, to go along with a 3-for-4 effort in the leadoff position with three doubles, three RBIs and a run scored during a 14-1, six-inning victory over Nashua High School South on Wednesday.

Wiberg was in command in the circle all afternoon, hitting her spots and only allowing three hits – all of which came in the third inning. She posted 1-2-3 innings in the second, fourth and fifth, including striking out the side in the fifth.

“I thought Sam threw real well,” Exeter coach Kristen Morissette said. “She is a player that does it offensively and defensively for us. We kind of go as she goes on offense. We are usually very confident when she steps into the batter’s box that she is going to make contact. She hits it hard, makes contact and can hit for power.”

The Blue Hawks (1-0) finished with 15 hits and broke the game open with a 12-run, eight-hit fourth inning. In addition to Wiberg, Leah Burns (2 for 4, walk, three RBIs, run), Julia Sveen (2 for 4, three RBIs, three runs), Sydney Johnson (2 for 5, double, RBI, run) and Riley Griem (2 for 4, RBI, run) all played well in the victory.

The Panthers (0-1) came out ready to play, as starting pitcher Natalie Ward kept the Hawks off the scoreboard for the first three innings.

During the bottom of the second, Hawks center fielder Korsin Forman made a highlight-reel running catch in right-center on a drive by Panthers first baseman Sarah Picard.

In the bottom of the third, right fielder Alissa Escobales and third baseman Alexis Roberge led off with back-to-back singles for South, and then a two-out RBI single to center by shortstop Erica Frothingham plated Roberge, giving the Panthers an early 1-0 cushion.

“Exeter is one of those teams that are going to wake up out of bed and win about 11 games,” South coach Kevin Handy said. “That is a competitive team and any opportunity that we give them, they are going to capitalize.

"I think we played a good four innings but the thing about softball and baseball is it is a seven-inning game. I think our pitcher Natalie did well to start, but they figured her out a little bit (in that fourth inning). Every inning and every play we have to be ready to compete with a team like that.”

Sveen put the Hawks in the lead for good at 2-1 in the fourth with a two-run, one-out single up the middle, scoring Trinity Young and Emma Chisholm. Two batters later, Wiberg smashed a two-run double to right, and then during the next at-bat, Burns connected on a one-run single to right, pushing the lead up to 5-1.

An RBI single down the left-field line by Johnson extended the advantage to 6-1, and Wiberg gave the visitors a 12-1 edge with a one-run, two-out double to left-center.

“The first couple of innings we were trying to do it all in one swing,” Morissette said. “We were trying to pull the ball, and then in the fourth it was more about relaxing and going wherever the pitch was thrown. We started hitting line drives to the outfield, putting it on the ground and making contact with the pitcher, which helped.”

Burns ended the scoring in the sixth for Exeter, as she belted a one-out, two-run RBI single up the middle, scoring Forman and Sveen.

Exeter and South will be back in action on Thursday, as the Hawks will host Timberlane at 4 p.m. The Panthers will remain on their home field and welcome Manchester Memorial to Nashua for a 3:30 p.m. start.

“Our team goal is to take it one game at a time,” Handy said. “I know it is cliché and everyone says it, but if we stay one game at a time, I think we will do some damage in the middle of the season. We want to get better each and every game.”