Concord High’s 2024 softball season ended in heartbreak. After a strong 15-3 regular season, the No. 3 Crimson Tide were shut out in the prelims by No. 14 Portsmouth and sent home much earlier than expected.

Many of the top-performing players from that team graduated, including Division I’s Pitcher of the Year Maddy Wachter, and Concord will have a new look and approach this season to bounce back. Led by veteran head coach Duke Sawyer, now in his 25th year, the team has multiple spots up for grabs and is figuring out what system will make them most successful.

“We lost five starters from last year; I mean, we lost five good starters, two of them Gatorade Players of the Year, three of them were First Team All-State. We’ve lost some players, we know that, but the biggest thing is to figure out where to put (new and returning players) in the lineup offensively,” Sawyer said.

However, there is still a lot of continuity and the squad is relatively young. Senior Tess Bolduc, who recently signed on to play softball at the University of New England, will hold down the infield group, and senior Andie Moreira, who also will play softball at the next level at Roger Williams University, will lead the outfielders.

In terms of pitching, Sawyer thinks he’s got a good group to work with. Senior Avery MacDonald is the most experienced of the bunch and is followed by sophomores Natalee Rowell and Maggie Taylor and first-years Bailey Cassin and Ella Chrabolowski, who are all showing promise to become consistent starters. Newcomer Kiley Taylor, a freshman, will be behind the plate.

Sawyer’s main focus in the early stage of the season is to get the lineup batting more consistently, especially toward the bottom. Concord’s season came to an early close because the bats went cold in the last few games, so getting the on-base percentage up will be key to finding success.

“Working on small ball, whatever we need to do to score some runs. I think that might be our biggest challenge early in the year is maybe scoring runs. I think the pitching is going to do well. I think defensively, once we figure everything out defensively, we’re just going to have to score some runs,” he added.

Mentally, the team understands that this season is a second chance at making it far in the playoffs, and that has served as a big motivator. For now, the Tide are taking it one game at a time and focused on finishing top-eight so they can secure a home playoff game in the first round.

“I think we’re going to surprise some people. I think we’re going to be very competitive. And I’m certainly looking forward to playing with this group and seeing what the season has to offer,” said Sawyer.

BOW

Division: II.

Coach: Cassidy Emerson (second year).

Last year: 14-6, reached semifinals.

Returning starters: Caly Poitras, sr.; Lauren Oppold, sr.; Reis Domini, jr.; Taylor Ouellette, so.; Madison Oppold, so.; Cadence Malone, so.

Outlook: A young Bow team made a surprising run to the final four last season, and the Falcons look to pick up where they left off this spring.

“We have a solid core coming back, as our sophomore class is strong,” Emerson said. “We are going to lean on our pitcher Taylor Ouellette (All-State First Team), shortstop Madison Oppold (Honorable Mention) and outfielder Cadence Malone to help lead this program back to the final four. We have a talented freshman class that fits right in with our group and other returners that are ready to take on the season.”

Teams to beat: Oyster River, Coe-Brown.

COE-BROWN

Division: II.

Coach: Dave Allis (eighth year).

Last year: 17-2, D-II runner-up.

Returning starters: Addison Coffin, jr.; Bella Pelletier, sr.; Brook Orluk, sr.; Haile Comeau, sr.; Kylie Bieniek, jr.; Madeline Lovett, sr.; Reilly West, so.

Top newcomers: Emma Charette, fr.

Outlook: The Bears return seven players, including Bieniek, D-II’s Player of the Year, from last year’s team that fell to Oyster River in a nine-inning championship. Coe-Brown won back-to-back titles in 2022-23 and the returning starters have played in some big games, but that isn’t the main focus.

“Just like every year, we look to work hard, be good people, care for each other, learn the game and compete with respect for the game,” Allis said. “The results will be a by-product of that work and respect.”

Teams to beat: Oyster River, Sanborn, Campbell, Kingswood.

JOHN STARK

Division: II.

Coach: Denis Kolehmainen (third year).

Last year: 5-13, reached prelims.

Returning starters: Ava Rivers, sr., SS; Haley Stafford, sr., CF; Katie Lorenz, jr., 3B; Kira Linstad, sr., P; Savannah Chapman, jr., LF; Lexi Boudreau, sr., 1B; Leah Brouillet, so., RF; Jaelyn Silvey, so., CF; Olivia Clancy, jr., P

Top newcomers: Avery LaClair, fr., 2B; Ellah Adler, jr., 2B; Evelyn Millward, so., RF

Outlook: “We come back into this season with nine returning players that are ready to be competitive in all the games,” Kolehmainen said. “Key for us is to not leave any runners stranded on the bases. This will be a fun season to get our program back on track.”

MERRIMACK VALLEY

Division: II.

Coach: Kevin O’Brien (fifth year).

Last year: 11-7, reached quarterfinals.

Returning starters: Kayla Smith, sr.; Caydence Allberg, sr.; Katelyn Herrmann, jr.; Ryleigh Perry, jr.; Nora Lyford, so.; Gabi Jones, so.; Julia Kelly, so.

Top newcomers: Mady Boelzner, fr.; Molly Hahn, fr.; Iris Fortier, so.; Abby James Bentzler, sr.; Jordan Monaghan, jr.

Outlook: Valley will have great senior leadership from Captains Allberg (All-State Second Team), Smith (First Team) and Abby James Bentzler.

“Smith and Allberg will lead the way as the development of our underclassmen will be essential for us to compete and be successful on a daily basis,” O’Brien said.

Teams to beat: Oyster River, Coe-Brown, ConVal, Bow, Kingswood, Campbell.

PEMBROKE

Division: II.

Coach: Eric Ives (second year).

Last year: 4-12, did not make tournament.

Outlook: After an off year, the Spartans are looking to return to the postseason tournament in Ives’ second year with the program.

BELMONT

Division: III.

Coach: Bill Clary (16th year).

Last year: 7-12, reached prelims.

Returning starters: Madi Smith, sr., P; Bailey Perkins, so., P; Avery Thurber, so., 1B; Katie Walker, sr., 1B; Falyn Sicard, so., SS; Lyla McSheffrey, so., C; Molly O’Connell, so., INF; Madi MacDonald, jr., CF; Meg Soucie, jr., OF; Addie Ross, so., OF;

Top newcomers: Natalee Cullen, fr., OF; Gabriella O’Hara, fr., OF; Amelia Smith, fr., OF; Sarah Cribbie, fr., OF; Della Liakas, fr., OF; Maddie Carrier, sr.

Outlook: The Raiders return several of last year’s starters to a team that Clary refers to as “the deepest team Belmont has had in years.”

Smith will get the majority of the starts in the circle, while Perkins will get a few starts and many innings as well. Thurber and Walker will split time at first base and Sicard, an All-State Second Team pick, will get most of the starts at shortstop. McSheffrey will split time at catcher and third base, while O’Connell can play anywhere in the infield. Cotnoir will get the start at catcher.

MacDonald anchors the outfield at center field and Soucie and Ross have experience there as well, but newcomers Cullen, O’Hara, Amelia Smith, Cribbie and Liakas are also competing for roles in the outfield. Carrier, a standout in other Belmont sports, is new to the team but adds speed and athleticism.

“We play a tough regular season schedule against some of the best D-III teams,” Clary said. “My hope is that those games build us for a good playoff run.”

BISHOP BRADY

Division: III.

Coach: Shane Baron (fourth year).

Last year: 13-5, reached quarterfinals.

Returning starters: Payton Bryson, sr.; Kimble Rose, sr.; Madison Mundy, so.; Abby Tyrell, jr.; Ava Archambault, jr.

Top newcomers: Ella Blanchette, fr.; Reese Henry, fr.; Maryn Sherman, fr.; Natalie Sherman, fr.; Rowan Wood, jr.

Outlook: The Giants put together a short playoff run last year and return the Division III Player of the Year Bryson this season. Bryson and Rose are both senior captains and returning All-State First Team players, while Tyrell earned a spot on the Second Team. With all those pieces together, Brady could make a longer run in 2025.

“Bishop Brady softball has all the pieces needed to win games this year,” Baron said.

HILLSBORO-DEERING

Division: III.

Coach: Allan Kingsbury (second year).

Last year: 5-11, did not make tournament.

Returning starters: Skyla Auger, jr.; Morgan Dean, sr.; Kathryn Thyng, sr.

Outlook: After falling two wins shy of a playoff berth last season and just one why shy in 2024, the Hillcats are eager to take the next step and compete in the postseason.

“Coaches are looking forward to building on the progress made last season,” Kingsbury said. “We have a solid mix of returning players and talented incoming freshmen, and we’re excited to continue improving as a team.”

Auger, Dean and Thyng will serve as captains.

Teams to beat: Prospect Mountain.

HOPKINTON

Division: III.

Coach: Liz Kovar (second year).

Last year: 10-8, reached quarterfinals

Returning starters: Skylar Clay, jr.; Avery Loew, jr.; Paige Boudette, jr.; Kinley St. Cyr, jr.; Annie Morrall, jr.; Aurelia Salce, so.

Top newcomers: Gemma Guadagno, fr.; Zoey Freitas, fr.; Ella-Mai Johnson, fr.

Outlook: The Hawks graduated three key players, including All-State pitcher Steph Elrick, but the addition of three freshmen should fill those voids. Salce will fill in the infield, and Johnson will get most of the innings in the circle until Loew returns from an injury. Guadagno will play almost anywhere. Freitas will also contribute innings in the circle. Morrall and Boudette can fill most any role.

“Defensively we are stronger this year, but will miss the strong pitching of Elrick,” Kovar said. “We need to make the routine plays to keep runners off base. Our hitters will be led by Salce and St. Cyr, when she returns from injury.”

Teams to beat: Gilford, Newport, St. Thomas, Prospect Mountain.

KEARSARGE

Division: III.

Coach: Ed Shaughnessy (first year).

Last year: 2-14, did not make tournament.

Returning starters: Naimah Wilson, so., OF; Emma Dubaere, so., 3B; Baylee Biagiotti, so., SS; Starlyne Henion, so., P; Ally Wheeler, so., 1B

Top newcomers: Alexis Shaughnessy, fr., P/Utility; Charley Mae Richard, fr., P/Utility; Brooke Aiken, fr., C

Outlook: The softball community and infrastructure has been rebuilding in the Kearsarge region over the past few years, and the efforts of local organizers and coaches are starting to be seen at the varsity level. The Cougars only played a JV schedule in 2023 and took their lumps in their first year back as a varsity program but return much more experienced than they were a year ago.

“I would say that softball is officially back here at Kearsarge,” said coach Shaughnessy, noting the large roster numbers at the middle school level. Still, the Cougars are setting realistic goals for 2025.

“The No. 1 individual goal for each player this year is to control the controllable, the controllable being those tangibles that no opponent can alter,” Shaughnessy said. “I expect our girls to hustle every play, give max effort when donning the uniform and keep their body language and attitude in check, allowing them to play free and just be athletic. The No. 1 team goal will be to compete game in and game out and continue to build upon last year’s successes. Putting a focus on those two pieces, the hope is that we can make every day a top ten day in our high school sports memory bank.”

Hannah Priest is the team’s only senior, with the rest of the roster entirely comprised of freshmen and sophomores. Henion (pitcher) and Biagiotti (middle infield) will lead the defense, while Dubaere, Wilson, Wheeler and Priest are all returning players who will make an immediate impact. The Cougars will also rely on freshmen to step up in key roles, including Aiken at catcher, and Shaughnessy and Richard in the circle.

Teams to beat: Newport, Prospect Mountain, Conant, Monadnock.

WINNISQUAM

Division: III.

Coach: Mark Dawalga (seventh year).

Last year: 3-13, did not make tournament.

Returning starters: Peyton Collins, sr., OF; Kenzie Bassett, jr., SS; Camilla Cote, jr., C/3B; Caidyn Carter, jr., OF; Alexis Mingolla, jr., 1B; Danica Weymouth, so., P/2B; Addie Bernier, so., C/3B

Top newcomers: Iris Vieira, so., OF; Eila Petty, fr., P/2B; Aaylah Cartier, fr., OF; Liv Fredette, fr., OF; Abby Meunier, fr., OF; Paige Allar, fr., OF

Outlook: The Bears are coming off a season where they finished near the bottom of the D-III barrel and are looking “to make a big step forward,” according to Dawalga.

Sophmore Weymouth had a solid rookie year and has developed some new pitches in the offseason that will make her more dangerous in the circle, while rookie Petty will add some depth at pitcher. Weymouth and Petty have a pair of veteran catchers behind the plate in Cote and Bernier, who will alternate between home plate and third base. Mingolla and Bassett are looking to build off strong 2024 seasons and return to the infield to lead the defense. Carter is the only returning outfielder with significant experience and will need to be a strong voice, with four freshmen eyeing starting spots.

“We have a very young team who are extremely excited to get the season going,” Dawalga said.

Teams to beat: Prospect Mountain, Gilford, St. Thomas.

FRANKLIN

Division: IV.

Coach: Maddie Trefethen (eighth year).

Last year: 7-10, reached prelims.

Returning starters: Lily Cornell, so., P; Maddie Doherty, jr., INF; Aubrey Boisvert, jr., INF; Sage Slocum, jr., INF; Mylee O’Connell, jr., INF.

Top newcomers: Bella LaFlamme, fr., C.

Outlook: The Tornadoes return Cornell, an All-State First Team pitcher her freshman year, and an veteran infield.

“Our team goal is to work on being more consistent on offense and more disciplined on defense,” said Trefethen, who was named the Division IV Coach of the Year. “The team is looking to make a playoff run this season. Last season was the first time in more than eight years that the Tornadoes made it to the first round, so we are hoping to surpass that this season.”

Teams to beat: Woodsville, Newmarket, Portsmouth Christian.

PITTSFIELD

Division: IV.

Coach: Gordon Bilodeau (sixth year).

Last year: 14-4, reached quarterfinals.

Outlook: After winning 13 games and reaching the prelims in 2023 and 14 wins and making the quarters in 2024, the Panthers are looking to continue that upward trend and make a deeper playoff run.