The Mascenic baseball team is undefeated in the early going thanks to an improved offense and a stable of solid pitchers.

“Our bats are off to a hot start and we’re scoring runs early in games,” said head coach Jared Stauffeneker, whose Vikings entered Wednesday’s game at Newport at 4-0 so far this spring.

Mascenic struggled at times on both sides of the ball last year as the supporting cast for now-Franklin Pierce pitcher Shea Zina tried to find their stride after a pandemic year away from baseball. But in the early going this season, the Vikings are clicking on all cylinders. 

“Our pitching hasn’t been as dominant as it has in years past without Shea,” Stauffeneker said, “but we have four or five guys who can mix it up and keep teams off-balance.”

That starts with Jack Cocozella, who has two wins and a save already.

“[Jack] has been terrific on the mound for us so far,” Stauffeneker said.

Hayes Pearson and Joe Cocozella have also picked up pitching wins this spring.

Senior shortstop Sean Agonis is a slugger who has been “crucial” in the field and at the plate, Stauffeneker said; returning from Tilton School, Hunter Kaarto has taken over behind the plate and is one of Division III’s top catcher, and Joe Cocozella has stepped up in a major way as outfield captain and a big bat in the lineup.

Mascenic got their fourth win of the year Monday, beating Somersworth in a 19-9 slopfest that saw a total of eight errors between the two teams. 

The Vikings got their production from Joe Cocozella, who knocked in six runs on two hits; Blaine Krook (3-5) drove in four more runs, and Agonis, Kaarto and Caleb Tybursky had two RBI apiece. 

“Games haven’t been pretty, but we’re scoring runs and getting timely hits when given the opportunity, and that’s huge for us going forward,” Stauffeneker said. 

Jackson Cocozella got the win, pitching two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. 

The Vikings were scheduled to play at Newport Wednesday and have a big test against undefeated Campbell Friday in Litchfield. 

 

WLC 14, Hinsdale 0

Sean Brennan fanned 15 Pacers in five innings Monday as WLC recorded every single out via strikeout in their lopsided win over Hinsdale. 

The Warriors (2-2) travel to Epping Thursday. 

 

Souhegan 7, ConVal 1

The Cougars traveled to Amherst Monday and returned with their first loss of the season.

Souhegan’s star pitcher Kyan Bagshaw shut down the ConVal bats, striking out 10.

Austin Knight had a good game in the field, coach Matt Harris said, making a lot of solid plays and keeping the Cougars in the game until it got away from them in the fifth inning.

ConVal (2-1) hosts Milford Thursday. 

SOFTBALL

ConVal 14, Souhegan 5

The Cougars are off to a hot start of their own, staying undefeated with a win Monday as they average nearly 16 runs per game in the early going.

“We are taking advantage of great offense and good defense and we are running bases very well,” said head coach Amanda Hinton.

ConVal was down 5-2 in the fifth at Souhegan before blowing the game open and running away with it. 

Samantha Henderson (2 1B, 4 R) and Morgan Bemont (2 BB, 2B, 3B, 4 RBI) had good days at the plate, and Lily Mandel, Kendall Sullivan, and Mackenzie Anderson each scored two runs. 

Mandel pitched 2.1 innings, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk while striking out one. Sullivan came on in relief and got the win, pitching 4.2 innings, allowing two hits, no walks, and striking out three. 

ConVal (3-0) hosts Milford Thursday. 

 

Mascenic 8, Somersworth 4

Mascenic got back on track with a win Monday to improve to .500 on the young year. 

Leah St. John (2 2B, 3 R) and Katalina Davis (3-4) had multi-hit days for the Vikings. 

Mascenic (1-1) was scheduled to play at Newport Wednesday and at Campbell Friday. 

Hinsdale 11, WLC 10

Wilton-Lyndeborough nearly grabbed their first win Monday at Hinsdale but let a late lead slip away. The Warriors were up 10-8 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh when the Pacers made their comeback.

Catcher Abby Dowling had a home run and a double. Ryleigh Smith pitched five solid innings with two strikeouts, and Emily Dubois pitched another two innings in relief with three strikeouts. 

WLC (0-3) is at Epping Thursday. 

BOYS’ TENNIS

Lebanon 9, ConVal 0

Defending Division II champion Lebanon showed why they’re a perennial contender Monday, blanking ConVal in the Upper Valley. 

“Lebanon was just the better, more experienced team,” ConVal coach Mike Young said. 

Zach Burgess and Jake Daniels played the most competitive matches, losing 8-6 and 9-8, respectively. 

ConVal (2-3) was scheduled to host St. Thomas Wednesday.

GIRLS’ TENNIS

Pelham 9, WLC 0

The Warriors couldn’t find a win Monday against Pelham, with senior Elisabeth Jacob playing the most competitive match for WLC at No. 1 singles, losing 8-3.

WLC (2-3) was scheduled to host Monadnock Wednesday for a doubleheader. 

TRACK AND FIELD

ConVal hosts home meet

The Cougars hosted their first track meet of the season on Monday afternoon, with several home team athletes taking big finishes.

On the boys’ side, senior Ian Post  won the 1,600M in 4:45.62 and then won the 3,200M in 10:30.28, a good 45 seconds ahead of the second place finisher.

Kendrick Edwards won the long jump with a leap of 18’05” and wa s third in the 100M dash in 12.32.

James Post was third in the 300M hurdles in 48.23 and third in the triple jump at 33’5”.

Jack Harris was third in pole vault, clearing 8’.

For the girls, Holland Calcutt won the 300M hurdles in 56.82 and was second in the triple jump at 26’7”.

Elise Robbins won the pole vault at 7’6”, took third in the 100M hurdles in 21.96, second in the 300M hurdles in 58.19 and third in high jump at 4’4”.

Tasha MacNeil won the shot put with a toss of 27’9.5”, won the javelin with a throw of 98’3” and was third in the 100M in 14.49.

Emma Carpenter won the 3,200M in 14:49.20.

Jennae Deshane was second in discus at 63’.

Eliza Bull was second in the 200M in 30.40.

Aida Davis was second in the 400M in 1:09.55.

Kendall Larson was second in the 1,600M in 6:22.20, second in the triple jump at 28’9” and second in the long jump at 12’8.5”.

Meara McCluskey was third in the 1,600M in 6:59.70.
ConVal’s 4x100M relay team of Davis, Bull, MacNeil and Lorraine Rupp was third in 56.78.

ConVal is in action at Sanborn Saturday. 

 

Conant hosts mini meet

Conant hosted another mini track meet on Tuesday against Mascenic, Monadnock, Campbell, Hinsdale and Wilton-Lyndeborough.

For the Conant boys, Austin Poikonen won the 300M hurdles in 44.88.

Ethan Vitello and Ben Sawyer tied for first in the high jump, clearing 5’2”.

Vitello won the triple jump at 41’0.5”.

Garrett Somero won the discus at 119’5’.

Conant won the boys’ 4x400 and 4x100M relays.

Jon Ciglar was third in the 200M in 25.40.

For the girls, Kylie Aho won the 800M in 2:40.41.

Emma Tenters tied for a share of first in the high jump, clearing 4’.

Neve Mormando was second in the 800M in 2:40.49.

Amber Gnoza was second in the 3,200M in 12:58.24.

Kendra Wooster was second in the 300M hurdles in 1:05.25.

Kaia Colby was third in the discus at 60’3”.

The girls also won both of their relay races.

For Mascenic, Mackenzie Vaillancourt tied for a share of first in the girls’ high jump, clearing 4’.

Connor Traffie was second in the boys’ 800M in 2:10.95 and third in the 3,200M in 11:07.47.

For Wilton-Lyndeborough, Sam Boette was second in the girls’ 200M in 28.15, once again behind Lilliana Chirichello of Monadnock. 

Conant is at Sanborn Saturday. WLC is home Thursday. Mascenic’s next meet is at Conant Tuesday.

BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL

Mascenic 3, John Stark 0

The Vikings started their week out right on Monday, sweeping John Stark in straight sets. 

Senior Spencer Dilda and freshman Kirvan Hughes each had 10 kills, and junior Marley Cedrone had three aces – two of which came in the third set and helped clinch the game.

Salem 3, Mascenic 0

Salem came to town Tuesday and shut out the Vikings. Dilda had a team-high 12 kills for Mascenic. 

The Vikings (2-2) were set to play at Souhegan Wednesday.

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