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7 Seacoast softball teams ready to compete in the state championship

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Last year, York High School and Portsmouth Christian Academy were the Seacoast teams that captured a state softball championship.

Can that total be matched this year?

No team on our list of seven Seacoast high school softball state title contenders has more than three losses. But only one team per division will be crowned state champions.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

DIVISION I

Winnacunnet (14-2)

Remaining games: 3

The case: The Warriors have suffered two losses all season so far, and both have come by one point: a 3-2 loss at Concord and a 7-6 loss at Salem, teams that Winnacunnet could potentially see in the upcoming Division I- tournament. The 3-2 loss to Concord was the same score as last year’s championship game at Plymouth State.

But do those teams, or any team in Division I for that matter, want to face Winnacunnet? Especially against a pitcher like Maddy Eaton, who recently recorded her 500th career strikeout?

“The team this season looks a lot like last year,” Winnacunnet head coach Bill Edwards said. “Very competitive and very controlled. Defensively we don’t make many mistakes. The entire defense has made moves and is very careful with the ball.”

The Warriors have an extensive roster from underclassmen to upperclassmen. Sophomores Maeva Shapiro (.478, 8 HR and 36 RBI), Lucy Gelbstein, Arden Langmaid and Fenway Schouller complement junior Lilly Snow, and seniors Joslyn Snow, Chloe Cunningham and Halisa Carter.

“I think the key for us is not to beat ourselves,” Edwards said. “If we play a clean game, we are a very difficult team to beat and we have the attack to put a (big) number on the scoreboard. In the play-offs the teams are all good and everyone can go from win everyone. Us We have to control what we can, and if we play clean, keep our focus and approach, we will be fine.”

Most important victories: at Londonderry (4-3), at Exeter (13-3), Merrimack (8-2)

Exeter (13-3)

Remaining games: 2

The case: The Blue Hawks have won two state championships in the last five years, in 2019 and 2022, and look strong again for another title push in 2024. After starting 3-2, Exeter has won 10 of its last 11 games and is in double figures scored in seven of those games with a maximum of 24 in a 13-point win over Timberlane.

Exeter has a strong senior class consisting of Annie Christiana, Summer LeClerc, Kristen Bickford and Edy Crawford.

“We’ve had a good season so far, dealt with some injuries that have made us a deeper team and had a quality win over a top four team in Concord, which was our best defensive game this season,” said Exeter head coach Kristen Morissette. said. “The seniors have a lot of tournament experience and didn’t like how the season ended last year… combine that with timely hits, good pitching, solid defense and a little bit of luck, it gives us a chance in the playoffs. We are We will have to stay focused, trust each other and play our best softball in June.”

Most important victories: at Timberlane (24-11), Concord (2-1)

DIVISION II

Oyster River (13-3)

Remaining games: 2

The case: Oyster River came out of the gate strong, winning its first nine games. The Bobcats are the only team to beat Coe-Brown and played well in a 6-1 loss to Division I power Winnacunnet.

A senior core led by Addy and Maddy Veno, along with Maeve Hickok and Mia Boyd, leads the team on and off the field.

“We feel like we have played one of the tougher Division II schedules and know that our three losses have been against the two top teams in D2 and a strong Winnacunnet team,” said Oyster River head coach Chad Michaud. “The strong schedule should help us prepare for playoff competition. Our team has made incremental improvements offensively over the course of the year and has shown we can strike with power.”

Sophomores Kate Michaud, Gracy Spirito, Aliza Parks, Sam Bishop, Laura Boughton and Aubrey DeJesus also produced.

“We have a deep squad with many situational options off the bench,” coach Michaud said. “We have a good 1-2 pitching punch (Addy Veno, Sam Bishop) and it can be difficult to earn points against each other. Our keys to success in the playoffs will be stringing hits together and good team defense to play.”

Most important victories: Coe-Brown (5-1), Boog (7-6), Merrimack Valley (8-5)

DIVISION III

St. Thomas Aquinas (13-1)

Remaining games: 2

The case: Aside from STA’s 2-1 victory over Gilford in the second game of the season, the Saints have won every game by at least four runs, demonstrating their dominance at the plate and in the field.

“This season we’ve been really locked in and focused,” STA head coach McKenzie McGrath said. “We have a strong lineup that has provided quality hitting and our pitching has been great.”

The continued emergence of Amelia Anderson – the team leader in average, on-base percentage and hits – and the production of freshman Bizzy Pelletier have been a major bright spot for STA, which suffered its first loss last week against undefeated Prospect Mountain.

Elizabeth Flynn and Abbie Gaynor are also two of the better players in all of Division III. Add in Alaina Bolduc and Emma Toriello and the Saints have a tough lineup.

“Looking ahead to the playoffs, we can’t take anyone lightly,” McGrath said. “The key for us will be to play our game and continue to have that tough, gritty mentality in everything we do. We are a tight unit and there is no doubt that we have the heart and drive to propel us forward. throughout the postseason.”

Most important victories: Gilford (2-1), Bishop Brady (8-3, 4-0)

DIVISION IV

Nieuwmarkt (13-2)

Remaining games: 1

The case: Newmarket opened the season with a 7-6 loss at Portsmouth Christian Academy, and since then it has been 12 wins in 13 games for the Mules, who lost in the Division IV semifinals last June.

Newmarket has consistently shown throughout the year that it is one of the better teams in Division IV, and very efficient on the field and in the field.

Kierra Souphakhot was once again a dominant pitcher in the circle this season, while Emma Walkowiak proved to be an offensive threat.

Most important victories: Portsmouth Christian (3-1), Pittsfield (4-1, 6-1), Mascenic (4-1), Epping (8-1),

Portsmouth Christian Academy (10-4)

Remaining games: 2

The case: The reigning Division IV state champions are looking to make back-to-back state titles after beating Mascenic for the title last June at Plymouth State.

PCA won eight of its first nine games, then lost three games in a row before winning its final two games. Two of the losses – 3-1 to Newmarket and 3-2 to Pittsfield – were against two of the top six teams in Division IV.

“We’ve run into it a few times,” PCA head coach Mark McGuire said. “We are preparing for the tournament with every training. The most important thing will be that we start hitting again and clear the field. We are a good team and I know we can go far.”

The Eagles are led by Lexi Jordan, both in the batter’s box and in the hitting circle, and get key contributions from Kloe MacKenzie and Eliza Arwood.

Most important victories: Newmarket (7-6), Mascenic (11-10), Pittsfield (7-5), Epping (13-9)

MAINE

CLASS B SOUTH

York (12-0)

Remaining games: 3

The case: 28 games, 28 wins – that’s the current streak for the reigning Class B state champions. To start the season, York senior McKayla Kortes pitched a no-hitter over five innings as the Wildcats defeated Wells 10-0 and showed they could compete again.

The Wildcats are one of, if not the deepest, teams in Class B with a strong lineup from one through nine.

“This is an extremely tight-knit group that is tournament-tested, holds each other accountable and works hard for each other,” York head coach Kevin Giannino said. “The energy on the bench has been excellent all year, but everything will have to step up for the tournament. We know we have some of the best teams and pitchers in the state ahead of us. We take a lot of pride in our batting, batting ability up and down the lineup, but defense, pitching, staying healthy and a little luck as always will be key.”

Freshman Sarah Orso is the No. 2 pitcher behind Kortes and is hitting over .500 with double figures in both RBIs and runs scored.

Nya Avery, Maddie Fitzgerald, Ava Brent, Emily Estes and state championship hero Bella Santini are just a few of the names representing a strong Wildcats team ready for a repeat performance.

“We are as deep and talented as anyone,” Giannino said. “The girls have a fun swagger and are driven to secure the No. 1 position and defend their title.”

Most important victories: Wells (10-0, 15-4), Greeley (17-5)

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