Midway through Friday’s run-rule loss to Sunapee, the Wilton-Lyndeborough softball team wasn’t just down on the scoreboard – they were down in the dumps. But while the visiting Lakers may have put up enough numbers to win, the Warriors rallied and turned their spirits around. Now, they’ve got to do the same thing for their season by getting locked in and executing.

“Attitudes have stayed great, even during this process,” said WLC head coach Scott Dowling after the 21-9 loss, “but today was a hundred percent focus. You look at the score, we put up the runs, we just gave up silly runs.”

The Warriors cycled through their pitching options against Sunapee – a couple innings for starter Emily Dubois, a relief stint for eighth-grader Delaney Dowling and a close-out from Ryleigh Smith – seeking that consistent day-in, day-out starter or at least an effective committee.

“We’re getting better as we move forward,” Dowling said, “I had two seniors and a junior that have been injured. They’re almost back a hundred percent. So I think that’ll help change us a little bit there too.”

After the Lakers put up nine runs between the third and fourth innings on a slew of Warrior errors to take a 16-6 lead, the WLC dugout was glum. But following a team meeting between innings, the Warriors came out and got their bats going, putting up three in the bottom of the fourth and flashing a little of their potential. 

Third baseman Kelsey Crouse (3-3, 2B, 3B, 2R), catcher Abby Dowling (2-3, 3B, R), centerfielder Madison Raymond (2B, R) and the second baseman Smith (2-3, 2B, R) had some big hits for WLC on the day; senior first baseman Lily Souhlaris added a triple. Coach Dowling said new recruit Souhlaris has been a pleasant surprise since joining the team.

“She has been kind of the glue so far this year,” Dowling said. “She doesn't ever seem to lose her cheer and her spirit and kind of keeps the rest of the girls in there. She's really blown me away, honestly. I'm sad that I only get to have her for one year.”

The Warriors lost to Epping 16-4 earlier in the week to open the season, despite a good game from Bri Fish (2B) at shortstop and a triple from Abby Dowling, and two innings of relief from Delaney Dowling with no earned runs. 

WLC (0-2) was scheduled to play at Hinsdale Monday after press time and then host Newmarket next Monday.

SOFTBALL

ConVal 22, Plymouth 0

ConVal got its first win in blowout fashion Wednesday afternoon with a five-inning victory.

Head coach Amanda Hinton said the Cougar girls took part in a quick team bonding dance to “Cotton Eyed Joe” in the dugout before taking the field loose and ready to go.

Junior pitcher Lily Mandel struck out the side in order in the top of the first before ConVal scored 13 runs in the bottom half to take the big lead.

Mandel continued to pitch well, facing 15 batters over four innings, allowing just two hits, one walk, and striking out eight. Junior Kendall Sullivan came on to close the game, pitching the fifth and striking out two. The Cougar offense was led by Samantha Henderson (3-4, 4R, 3 RBI), Morgan Bemont (2-4, BB, 2R, 7 RBI), Kendall Sullivan (3-6, 2B, 4 RBI) and Avery Moore (4R, 3BB).

ConVal 11, Laconia 2

The Cougars got a leadoff    score from Henderson at Laconia Friday after the centerfielder reached on an error, stole her way around the bases and scored on a passed ball. Co nVal woul d never look back on their way  to a victory, with Mandel going the distance with just two hits against 11 strikeouts and no walks. 

ConVal batted around in the fourth inning, with big hits from Henderson, Moore, Bemont, Mackenzie Anderson and Mackenzie Gauthier; every Cougar starter scored a run.

ConVal (2-0) was scheduled to play at Souhegan Monday and host Milford Thursday.

Campbell 1, Conant 0

The Orioles battled the Cougars to the bitter end in Litchfield Wednesday but couldn’t push across the equalizer.

Graecen Kirby pitched a complete game, striking out seven and allowing just the one earned run in the second inning.

Campbell’s Catherine Carignan got the complete-game shutout win with 10 strikeouts.

Teagan Kirby (2-3), Tessa Spingola, Rylee Herr, Graecen Kirby and Kaylee Karn s had hits for the Orioles.

 

Monadnock 8, Conant 6

It was another heartbreaking loss to the Huskies for Conant Friday after the Orioles let a late lead slip away.

Conant entered the top of the seventh up 6-4 before back-to-back outfield errors gave Monadnock a four-run inning and the win.

Tessa Spingola was 3-4 with two doubles, a triple and three RBI; Teagan Kirby also drove in a run for Conant.

Graecen Kirby struck out 13 in seven innings, allowing one earned run. 

Conant (1-2) hosts Bishop Brady Tuesday. 

 

Hopkinton 7, Mascenic 4

Mascenic and Hopkinton were tied at two apiece entering the fifth inning before the Hawks blew things open, scoring five runs to take an insurmountable lead and spoil the Vikings’ season opener. 

“We had a couple of opportunities and a couple of baserunning mistakes,” said head coach Dutch Stauffeneker. “They're all fixable things.”

Lyla Buxton pitched five strong innings until the Hawks’ explosion, which Katalina Davis cleaned up, throwing two scoreless in relief. Davis had two doubles and narrowly missed a homer. 

“I'm pleased with the game we played,” Stauffeneker said. “Obviously we'd like to win...it's just game one, let's build off of it.”

Mascenic (0-1) was set to host Somersworth Monday after press time and then play at Newport Wednesday. 

Baseball

ConVal 13, Plymouth 0

The Cougars had plenty to celebrate after Wednesday’s season-opening win over the Bobcats – none more than coach Matt Harris, who headed right to the hospital after the game to be with his wife and newborn son. 

On the field, it was a big day for starting pitcher Eric Stapelfeld, who went five innings, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out 11 and going 2-3 at the plate with a double and three RBI. 

Joe Gutwein went 2-2 with two runs, two RBI, two walks and a stolen base.

ConVal 4, Laconia 1

Friday was Brady Carpentiere’s day for the Cougars, as the hurler went five innings in relief, striking out seven, allowing two hits and a walk, and going 2-4 at the plate with a stolen base and a run scored. 

ConVal is off to a good start at 2-0 and faces some good tests this week, at Souhegan Monday and hosting Milford Thursday. 

 

Mascenic 4, Hopkinton 2

Mascenic is as hot as anyone in Division III to start out the season after improving to 3-0 with a solid win at Hopkinton Friday afternoon. 

Hunter Kaarto, Jack Cocozella and Joe Cocozella drove in runs for Mascenic. 

Joe Cocozella got the win in relief and brother Jack closed it out. 

The Vikings were set to host Somersworth Monday and play at Newport Wednesday. 

 

Campbell 10, Conant 1

The Orioles couldn’t find much offense at Campbell Wednesday.

Joe Bergeron drove in Conant’s lone run. Lucas Lambert (2-3, R), Jordan Ketola and Dylan Adams also had hits in the game.

Monadnock 19, Conant 5

The Orioles dropped an ugly one at home against Monadnock Friday. 

Mondo scored four in the first, three in the fourth and then 10 in the sixth to put the game away.

Lane Leclair, Corey Collins, Chris Bergeron and Dylan Adams drove in runs for Conant; Jordan Ketola had two doubles. 

Conant (0-3) hosts Bishop Brady Tuesday. 

WLC 4, Epping 3 (10 innings)

Keegan Hall’s rocket blast of a double in the bottom of the 10th gave WLC a comeback walkoff win over Epping Wednesday. Troy Brennan threw seven inning with 18 Ks. The Warriors were down 3-2 before Hall’s game-winner. 

Sunapee 13, WLC 1

With the Brennan boys over their pitch limits for the week, the Warriors had to dig deep Friday, and the visiting Lakers were able to put up some crooked numbers on the way to a blowout win. 

WLC (1-2) was set to play at Hinsdale Monday and host Newmarket next Monday.

BOYS’ LACROSSE

ConVal 19, Spaulding 2

The Cougars racked up goals against Spaulding Friday for their first win of the season. Goalie Nick Squatrito had seven saves. ConVal’s leading scorer was sophomore Ronan McNamara with 10 goals and three assists; Seth Fowler, Ethan Weber, and Noah Lambert each had two goals; Fowler also had four assists; junior Dillon O’Sullivan had one goal and two assists; long stick midfielder Noah Stewart had one goal and short stick defensive midfielder Jaxon Salamy had one goal.

ConVal (1-1) hosts Manchester Memorial Tuesday. 

BOYS’ TENNIS

ConVal 6, Hollis-Brookline 3

ConVal’s win Wednesday came down to the Cougars’ first-year players against the Cavaliers’, and the home team pulled it off. Jaimini Viles and Eva Calcutt went down at No. 1 and 2 singles, but ConVal took care of the rest of the ladder, with wins from Fletcher Maggs, Wyatt Burbank, Zach Burgess and Jake Daniels. Viles and Burbank and Burgess and Daniels teamed for doubles wins. 

ConVal 5, Portsmouth 4

Calcutt, Maggs, Burgess and Daniels picked up more singles wins Friday and the team of Viles and Burbank got the clinching doubles win for ConVal against Portsmouth.

ConVal (2-2) was set to play at Lebanon Monday and host St. Thomas Wednesday. 

GIRLS’ TENNIS

Conant 5, Monadnock 4

The Conant girls were “feeling it” Wednesday, coach Glo Morison said, and pulled out a 5-4 win over visiting Monadnock.

Kelly Williams, Jess Yap, Lilly Rennie and Nobley Walker got singles wins, and Rennie teamed with Grace Lewis for the clinching doubles win. 

After Kearsarge’s 6-3 win Friday, the Orioles are 2-3 and scheduled to host Trinity Wednesday. 

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