High schools: Wachter strikes out 17, pitches a complete game to lead Concord softball to victory; other Opening Day results

FILE – Concord pitcher Maddy Wachter (second from left is hugged by teammates Sarah Taylor (8), Brooke Wyatt (7) as Lily Hacket (left) rushes in after the Tide won the 2023 softball championship on June 10. Wachter picked up where she left off to open the 2024 season, striking out 17 in a complete-game effort as Concord defeated Windham, 9-3, on Tuesday.

FILE – Concord pitcher Maddy Wachter (second from left is hugged by teammates Sarah Taylor (8), Brooke Wyatt (7) as Lily Hacket (left) rushes in after the Tide won the 2023 softball championship on June 10. Wachter picked up where she left off to open the 2024 season, striking out 17 in a complete-game effort as Concord defeated Windham, 9-3, on Tuesday. Geoff Forester / Monitor staff

Published: 04-10-2024 12:51 AM

Modified: 04-10-2024 10:51 AM


Softball

Concord 9, Windham 3

Key players: Concord – Maddy Wachter (complete game, 17 strikeouts), Delaney Duford (HR, stolen base; threw out a runner stealing), Maggie Taylor (3-for-4, 2 runs), Alison Dupuis (RBI double), Ella Gray (RBI single), Andi Moreira (2 hits, 3 RBIs, run), Lily Hackett (2 runs); Windham – Anna Witrow (3-run HR)

Highlights: Wachter had a no-hitter going into the sixth inning and pitched a gem in the Crimson Tide’s season-opening game.

Coach’s quote: “Maddy Wachter started the new season where she left off last season – striking out double-digit batters in a complete-game win. Delaney called another great game and hit a line-drive home run. Freshman Maggie Taylor had hits her first three times up. Nice to get first win with contributions from entire team.” – Concord’s Duke Sawyer

Records: Concord 1-0; Windham 0-1

Monadnock 10
Hopkinton 3

Highlights: The Hawks trailed 3-0 early but put together a few hits to tie the game in the third inning before the Huskies scored several more runs in the fifth inning thanks to aggressive at-bats and Hopkinton miscues. The Hawks couldn’t generate more offense but finished strong defensively with clean play in the field.

Coach’s quote: “It’s early, and though a loss is not what anyone wants, it gave us a chance to see kids in new spots on the field. We saw areas in which we need more work but also a few bright spots.” – Hopkinton’s Liz Kovar

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Records: Monadnock 1-0; Hopkinton 0-1

Baseball

Windham 5, Concord 0

Key players: Concord – Noah Chrabolowski (6 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 H, 7 K, 0 BB, 2 HPB), Mitch Coffey (hit, 2 walks), Jackson Martin (hit)

Highlights: Windham scored one run in the first inning, one in the second and three more in the seventh, shutting out the Tide at Memorial Field on opening day. Concord had a couple of opportunities but was not able to capitalize.

Coach’s quote: “Noah pitched very well for us in a losing effort. We struggled offensively, collecting only two hits by Mitch Coffey and Jackson Martin. We need to continue to work and get better in all phases of the game.” – Concord’s Scott Owen

Records: Windham 1-0; Concord 0-1

Belmont 5, Campbell 4

Key players: Belmont – Anakin Underhill (CG, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 6 K; 1-for-2, single, walk, stolen base, 2 RBIs), Jaxson Embree (2-for-3, stolen base, run, 2 RBIs), Max Ryder (2 walks, 2 stolen bases, run)

Coach’s quote: “It was a good first win against a good-hitting team, considering that we didn’t get much time outside (in preseason).” – Belmont’s Matt LeBlanc

Records: Belmont 1-0; Campbell 0-1

Monadnock 12
Hopkinton 8

Key players: Hopkinton – Tyler Czarkowski (2-for-4, 2 RBIs, run), Noah Aframe (single, 3 RBIs), Bronson Ammann (4.1 IP in relief, 5 K, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 R, 1 ER), Michael DePiano and Sawyer Zipke (first varsity hits)

Highlights: The Hawks found themselves down 7-0 after the top of the first inning but plated four runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. Hopkinton would score two more runs in the second inning on a great squeeze bunt base hit by Michael Pantano and a Czarkowski single to make it 7-6. The Huskies tallied a few more runs to make the score 9-6 at the end of three, 10-6 at the end of six and 12-6 after the top of the seventh inning. The Hawks recorded two more runs in their last at-bats and had two runners on in scoring position when the third out was made.

Coach’s quote: “The energy our team showed today — after trailing 7-0 after the top of the first and then 12-6 after the top of the seventh — was great. Each time the team held their heads up high and was able to battle and make some noise. As a coach, you have to be really happy with their heart and desire to keep fighting.” – Hopkinton’s Kevin Hill

Records: Monadnock 1-0; Hopkinton 0-1

Boys’ Lacrosse

St. Thomas 7
Merrimack Valley 5

Key players: MV – Mike Kingsbury, Nolan Beck, Brayden Hussey, Conner Hanson, Colin Reardon, Tyler Carter, Jake Leclerc, Jackson Deyermond, Travis Garcia, Colby Scheffer, Jed Duquette, Mike Heine, Matt Lauren, Carter Lankhorst

Coach’s quote: “We may have lost on the scoreboard, but to go toe-to-toe with a great team like STA is a big step forward for our program. My staff and I couldn’t be more proud of our guys or fired up for the rest of the season. Michael Kingsbury, our goalie, had 16 saves, middie Matt Lauren had 2 goals, while Brayden Hussey (middie), Conner Hanson (attack) and Colin Reardon (attack) all had one goal each. Our defense, midfielders, LSMs and attack all played well as a unit and contributed with effort, ground balls and grit. Even though it was not a win, it was a good first game with contributions across the field.” – MV’s Sean Gill

Records: St. Thomas 1-0; MV 0-1

Hollis-Brookline 16
H-D/John Stark 1

Key players: HDJS – Chase Twombly (goal), Derek Tetro (assist), Noah Carter (16 saves)

Coach’s quote: “Tough not being outside much so far. We’ll clean it up and be better.” – HDJS’s Howie Roever

Records: HB 1-0; HDJS 0-1

Campbell 9, Kearsarge 2

Key players: Kearsarge – Noah Whipple (defense), Brodie Malynowski (20 saves), Sawyer Slayton (goal), Elliot Asbury (goal)

Highlights: Kearsarge trailed 5-2 in the third quarter, and Campbell scored four more goals in the fourth to secure the victory.

Coach’s quote: “This was only the third time on a full field this season. We have work to do, but we are improving.” – Kearsarge’s Chris Boucher

Records: Campbell 1-0; Kearsarge 0-1

Girls’ Lacrosse

Bow 18, Hopkinton 5

Key players: Hopkinton – Sarah Chodosh (3 goals, draw control, 3 ground balls), Sydney Westover (goal, 7 draw controls, ground ball, caused turnover), Avery Chase (goal), Izzy Afflerbach (ground ball, 2 caused turnovers), Helen Yeaton (ground ball, 2 caused turnovers), Ryan Lang (ground ball, caused turnover), Marcella Guadagno (ground ball, caused turnover), Ryan Barrett (ground ball), Mary Maughan (ground ball), Autumn Meier (defense), Hallee Schoch (10 saves)

Highlights: Bow got out to an early lead and — in a repeat performance of last year’s season opener — showcased its speed and work rate, forcing Hopkinton to give up possession. The Falcons converted on their chances and played a complete game. For Hopkinton, Meier impressed on defense and Chase scored her first varsity goal.

Coach’s quote: “Bow outnumbered us around the ball, everywhere on the field, all game long. We have plenty of work to do going forward.” – Hopkinton’s Gus Madden

Records: Bow 1-0; Hopkinton 0-1

Girls’ Track

Concord 101, Manchester Central 41.5, Salem 38.5

Key players: Concord – Shelly Smith (1st 1,600 in 5:34, 1st 3,200 in 12:13), Ella Goulas (1st high jump in 5-2, 1st triple jump at 35-3, 3rd 200), Morgan Doherty (1st 100 hurdles in 16.4, 1st long jump at 15-9, 2nd triple jump), Kendall Barton (1st pole vault at 9-0), Chloe Gudas (1st 800 in 2:28), Kelley Mikelson (2nd high jump, 2nd long jump, 4th triple jump), Maddie Muller (2nd pole vault), Bakela Massaquoi (2nd 100 hurdles), Laura Vitoria (2nd 300 hurdles), Ayva Mullen (2nd shot put, 3rd triple jump), Gianna Gualtieri (3rd long jump, 4th 400)

Highlights: A victory in the 4x400-meter relay by Doherty, Gualtieri, Gudas and Muller capped an impressive victory by the Tide in its season-opening meet at Salem. Concord won nine of the 15 events contested.

Boys’ Track

Manchester Central 70, Concord 61, Salem 52

Key players: Concord – Alain Twite (1st high jump at 6-0, 1st long jump at 19-10.5, 1st triple jump at 42-9), Colby Nyhan (1st pole vault at 12-0), Deagan Hines (1st 100 in 12.05), Jackson Borkush (2nd 100, 4th 200), Tyler Watt (2nd 800, 4th 1,600), Shadrach Harerimana (2nd 300 hurdles), Evander MacIver (2nd triple jump), Connor McGahan (3rd 300 hurdles), Emmanuel Arakazaneza (3rd long jump), Fabrice Nshuti (4th long jump), Tim Fahnbulleh (4th 100), Jaxson Layton (4th 110 hurdles)

Highlights: Fahnbulleh, Twite, Borkush and Hines won the 4x100-meter relay, and Concord split a season-opening tri-meet at Salem.

Boys’ Tennis

Kearsarge 9, Monadnock 0

Key players: Kearsarge – Graham West (9-7 win at No. 1), Eli Whipple (8-0 win at No. 2), Billy Reid (8-0 win at No. 3), Thomas Shepherd (8-0 win at No. 4), Andrew Zielinski (8-0 win at No. 5)

Highlights: Liam Miller and Shepherd won 8-3 at No. 1 doubles, and Whipple and Reid won 8-0 at No. 2 doubles against a shorthanded Huskies team that lost No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles by default.

Records: Kearsarge 2-0; Monadnock 0-2

Girls’ Tennis

Spaulding 9, Concord 0

Key players: Concord – Sarah Saleem and Libby LaBombard (No. 2 doubles), Gracie Lorden (No. 5 singles), Nadia Hanna

Highlights: Saleem and LaBombard communicated well at second doubles, Lorden hit hard ground strokes and Hanna survived some long rallies, but a strong effort didn’t yield any victories against the Raiders.

Coach’s quote: “Spaulding is not in a rebuilding year. They are the same team we played for the last three years, so they are all juniors now. Concord has four of six playing tennis for the first time, and the matches were closer this year despite the same overall outcome.” – Concord’s Greg Malette

Records: Spaulding 1-1; Concord 1-1

Winnacunnet 8, Pembroke 1

Key players: Pembroke – Rilleyanne Caron and Jillian French (8-2 win at No. 3 doubles)

Highlights: The Spartans dropped their first home match of the season against the visiting Warriors.

Coach’s quote: “Winnacunnet is a strong team with depth. PA won at No. 3 doubles with two freshmen getting their first win of the season.” – Pembroke’s David Goulet

Records: Winnacunnet 3-0; Pembroke 0-2

Bow 9, ConVal 0

Key players: Bow – Grace Modzeleski (8-1 win), Jaden Glace (8-1 win), Katie McCabe (8-0 win), Maddy Desrosiers (8-0 win), Makaylie Laws (8-0 win), Lilly Gula (8-0 win), Katie Semeraro and Mari Murphy (8-6 doubles win)

Highlights: Modzeleski and Glace, and McCabe and Gula won both won their doubles matches, 8-0, after the Falcons opened a 6-0 lead through singles in a sweep of the Cougars.

Coach’s quote: “It was nice to get Semeraro and Murphy some action, and that they came with their first varsity win at third doubles.” – Bow’s Steve Langevin

Records: Bow 2-0; ConVal 1-1