Gallery: No. 3 Concord softball stunned by No. 14 Portsmouth in first round of Division I playoffs

Concord senior Sarah Taylor sits stunned in the dugout after the Tide's 1-0 upset loss to No. 14 Portsmouth in the first round of the Division I NHIAA playoffs on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Rich Miyara—NH Sports Photography

Concord senior Sarah Taylor swings at a pitch during the Tide's 1-0 loss to Portsmouth in the first round of the D-I playoffs on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Rich Miyara—NH Sports Photography

Concord senior Delaney Duford catches a pitch from Maddy Wachter during the Tide's 1-0 loss to Portsmouth in the first round of the D-I playoffs on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Rich Miyara—NH Sports Photography

Concord senior Alison Dupuis makes a throw to first during the Tide's 1-0 loss to Portsmouth on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Rich Miyara—NH Sports Photography

Concord freshman Maggie Taylor (13) approaches Maddy Wachter after the No. 3 Tide was upset by No. 14 Portsmouth in the first round of the D-I playoffs on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Rich Miyara—NH Sports Photography

Maggie Taylor (13) hugs Maddy Wachter after Concord's season came to an unexpected end on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 following a 1-0 loss to Portsmouth in the first round of the playoffs. Rich Miyara—NH Sports Photography

By ERIC RYNSTON-LOBEL

Monitor staff

Published: 05-30-2024 9:25 AM

Even if Concord softball (15-4) wasn’t going to be able to defend its state championship title, few expected the journey to end so soon. After a loss to Salem to close the regular season dropped the Tide out of having a first-round bye, Concord had to play No. 14 Portsmouth (6-12) on Wednesday at Memorial Field.

The Clippers took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, scoring an unearned run, and that wound up to be the difference. Concord senior Maddy Wachter mostly shut down the Portsmouth bats, pitching all seven innings, allowing just two hits and striking out 14. But as has been the theme in recent weeks, the Tide’s offense struggled to generate runs. Senior Sarah Taylor had two hits in the game, including a first-inning triple, while fellow senior Alison Dupuis had a double.

Over its final five games of the season though, the Tide scored just six runs.

“We just couldn’t put a few hits together or keep our bunts on the ground against a Portsmouth team that did everything right,” head coach Duke Sawyer said. “Tough end for seniors Lily Hackett, Sarah (Taylor), Alison Dupuis, Delaney Duford and Maddy (Wachter). Their contribution to Concord softball is everlasting.”

For more photos from Wednesday’s game from Rich Miyara, visit NH Sports Photography.