D-II Softball

No. 8 Bow 1, No. 9 Lebanon 0

Highlights: The Falcons shut out the Raiders and did just enough offensively to secure a victory in the first round of the Division II playoffs. Bow will play at No. 1 Coe-Brown (14-2) in Saturday’s quarterfinal.

Records: Bow 11-6; Lebanon 10-7

D-II Softball

No. 5 Merrimack Valley 7, No. 12 Milford 6

Key players: MV – Caydence Allberg (3-for-4, 2 RBI; 1 IP), Kayla Smith (5.2 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 2 BB), Katelyn Herrmann (2-for-3, 2 RBI), Mady Boelzner (1-for-3, run), Nora Lyford (1-for-2), Julia Kelly (1-for-1), Gabi Jones (fielding)

Highlights: Smith pitched over five innings of relief, allowing just four hits, and Allberg and Herrmann had timely hits to lead Valley. MV trailed 6-4 after the second inning, but shut out the Spartans for the remaining five innings, scored runs in the fourth and fifth, and plated the go-ahead run in the sixth. The Pride will be on the road at No. 4 ConVal (13-4) for Saturday’s quarterfinal.

Coach’s quote: “The entire team just kept on playing the game for seven innings … on to the next round at ConVal.” – MV’s Kevin O’Brien

Records: MV 12-5; Milford 7-10

D-I Softball

No. 12 Concord 12, No. 5 Winnacunnet 3

Key players: Concord – Bailey Cassin (7 IP, 8 K, 7 H, 3 ER; 2-for-5, HR), Maggie Taylor (grand slam, sacrifice, 5 RBI), Avery MacDonald (2 hits, 2 runs), Jaylyn Wessling (hit, HBP, sacrifice, run), Andie Moreira (hit, 2 walks, RBI, SB, 2 runs), Kiley Taylor (hit), Tess Bolduc (hit, walk, run), Ella Gray (hit, walk, run), Natalee Rowell (2 walks, sacrifice, RBI, 2 runs), Emma Barry (run)

Highlights: The 12th-seeded Tide upset the No. 5 Warriors in stunning fashion, taking the lead in the first inning and never letting up. Taylor delivered the key blow, belting a grand slam in the fourth to turn a 4-1 lead into an 8-1 runaway. That was more than enough support for Cassin, who was in command in the circle. Concord played error-free defense, as well, to punch its ticket to Saturday’s quarterfinal at No. 4 Goffstown (14-5).

Coach’s quote: “That was as complete a game as we’ve played all season. We knew we played one of our worst games of the season when we lost to them a couple of weeks ago. Today we showed what we’re capable of. I couldn’t be more happy for this group.” – Concord assistant Sandy Smith

Records: Concord 11-8; Winnacunnet 15-5

D-III Softball

No. 4 Bishop Brady 5, No. 13 Winnisquam 0

Key players: Bishop Brady – Payton Bryson (10 K), Kimble Rose (triple), Ava Archambault (2-for-4), Abby Tyrell (2-for-4)

Highlights: Bryson fanned 10 Bear batters, and Archambault and Tyrell led the Giants at the plate as Brady advanced to Saturday’s D-III quarterfinals with a victory. The Giants will host No. 5 Monadnock (15-3).

Coach’s quote: “We didn’t have our best stuff in the first round of playoffs. We are excited to be moving to the (quarterfinals) Saturday.” – Bishop Brady’s Shane Baron

Records: Bishop Brady 15-2; Winnisquam 7-10

D-III Softball

No. 8 Raymond 9, No. 9 Hopkinton 8

Key players: Hopkinton – Gemma Guadagno (4-for-5), Aurelia Salce (3-for-4; C, picked off runner at 1st), Heidi Archambault (3-for-4), Zoey Freitas (2-for-4), Annie Morrall (1-for-4), Skylar Clay (1-for-4), Ella-Mai Johnson (pitcher), Paige Boudette (diving catch at CF),

Highlights: The Hawks had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh, but couldn’t get the last timely hit they needed, ending Hopkinton’s season in the Division III prelims.

Coach’s quote: “We knew it would be a close game, but unfortunately a few misplayed situations cost us too many runs. … It is a tough game to end the season with, but we return all of our players next year and with another year of experience, we plan to be a tough opponent to face.” – Hopkinton’s Liz Kovar

Records: Raymond 11-6; Hopkinton 9-8

D-IV Softball

No. 7 Franklin 2, No. 10 Colebrook 0

Key players: Franklin – Lily Cornell (7 IP, 1 H, 15 K)

Highlights: Cornell struck out 15 batters in a one-hit shutout in the first round of the Division IV postseason tournament. The Golden Tornadoes will play at No. 2 Pittsburg-Canaan (14-2) in Saturday’s quarterfinal.

Records: Franklin 12-5; Colebrook 9-8

D-III Girls’ Tennis

No. 1 Gilford 5, No. 5 Kearsarge 4

Key players: Kearsarge – Tucker Dragon (8-6 win at No. 1), Kira Gauntt (8-5 win at No. 4), Felicity Kane (8-5 win at No. 6), Anela Branco and Gauntt (8-5 win at No. 2 doubles)

Highlights: The Cougars were even with the Eagles, 3-3, through singles play, but Gilford won two of the three doubles matches and Kearsarge fell just short of the upset in the D-III semifinals.

Coach’s quote: “Today’s match was a great contest coming down to the No. 3 doubles to determine the outcome. The girls knew they were in for a long day as Gilford had finished the regular season undefeated. The girls definitely held their heads high despite the loss, especially after the turnaround season they just completed (the team was 3-11 in 2024). Looking forward to next season and continued success.” – Kearsarge’s Bubba Williams

Records: Gilford 16-0; Kearsarge 11-5

D-III Boys’ Lacrosse

No. 10 Lebanon 8, No. 7 Bishop Brady 6

Highlights: The Giants fell in the prelims of the Division III boys’ lacrosse tournament.

Records: Lebanon 9-6; Bishop Brady 10-6