RallyNorth.net

CONCORD, N.H. — The smiles on the faces of the Concord softball players were probably more of relief than joy.

After yesterday’s 2-0 Class L semifinal win over Londonderry, Concord coach Duke Sawyer, in fact, indicated that the Crimson Tide were much more than halfway home to the Class L crown.

PLYMOUTH, N.H. — A shaky start can almost be forgiven if one’s starting lineup features three freshmen and four sophomores.

Especially in the Class M state semifinals.

But sixth-seeded Campbell’s play under pressure belied its age.

LONDONDERRY  — Two pitchers proved slightly better than one yesterday afternoon and evening.

But only barely.

And it took 16 innings of dramatic, tension-filled softball to prove it as Londonderry outlasted Pinkerton and senior pitcher Cara Chooljian in a classic three-hour Class L quarterfinal game.

Sanborn's softball team is back in the Class M semifinals and they're back with a vengeance.

The Indians (18-1) advanced to the semiifinals for the first time since 2006, but the third time in five years, with a convincing 6-1 quarterfinal win over Conant. They'll face Campbell Tuesday in the semifinals at Plymouth State at 7 p.m. Sanborn beat Campbell during the regular season.

The Blue Devils got 10 excellent innings of pitching from Nora Galvin, Dominique Heres and Nicole Gubellini, but fourth-ranked Dover was able to push the winning run across in the bottom of the 10th to drop No. 5 Salem, 2-1, in the Class L semifinals. Steph Cabral had a hit and scored the lone Salem run from the leadoff spot.

Morgan Farmer had a two-run home run in the bottom of the first and Sanborn, which lost in the first round last year, never looked back in a 6-0 win over Hillsboro-Deering in a Class M opener. Krissi Romano had seven strikeouts while throwing a three-hitter for the Indians (17-1). The second-seeded Indians move on to host Saturday at 4 p.m.

The Pinkerton softball team (15-5), which failed to even make the tournament last year, continued its turnaround season with a 5-0 win over Winnacunnet in the first round of the Class L tournament yesterday. Cara Chooljian led the way, striking out nine while scattering five hits and helping her own cause with a key two-run double.

With no seniors and only one junior in the starting lineup, Londonderry softball coach Wayne MacDougall was concerned about how his young team would react to tournament pressure. Well, he had nothing to worry about.

Just one game after upsetting Class L's No. 1 seed, Spaulding, Londonderry's softball team clipped Manchester West 4-1 to finish the regular season 13-1. Sophomore pitcher Theresa Zwart got the win and was 2 for 3 with an RBI.

Erica Boehm fanned seven and walked just one in a complete-game effort as Londonderry topped first-place Spaulding, 6-1. Boehm was especially impressive as she retired three straight batters — two via strikeout — to work out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the fourth. Emily Kraytenberg, Abigail Lang, Daniele Crutcher and Beth Rosenberg all knocked in runs.

A pair of freshmen shined for Salem's softball team as it wrapped up its regular season with a 12-2 rout of Goffstown. Freshman Sarah Frahm was 3 for 3 and drove in five runs, while classmate Stephanie Long was 2 for 3 with three RBIs. Also, Julia Gray hit a long home run for the Blue Devils (15-5).

The Central Catholic softball team went a long way to honoring late team member Becca Solomon, a senior outfielder who died in an automobile accident last week, with yesterday’s big 7-1 victory over Bedford in the first round of the Division 2 North playoffs.

Cara Chooljian dominated Alvirne, striking out 15 in a three-hitter with one walk to lift Pinkerton to a 3-0 win.

Brittany Gentile and Alison Deleo each had a hit and drove in a run.

Freshmen Sarah Frahm (3 for 5, two RBIs, two runs), Steph Long (2 for 4, two RBIs, one run) and Nicole Gubellini (one inning, two strikeouts) were pivotal in Salem's 13-1 drubbing of Winnacunnet. Gubellini pitched a clean ninth to help preserve the lead established by winning pitcher Nora Galvin, who struck out eight in just four innings.

METHUEN, Mass. — It was mission accomplished for standout pitcher Sarra Bergeron and the rest of the Methuen seniors last night.

The Rangers have enjoyed fine seasons the last three years, winning 16 games each of the last two years, but the Methuen Invitational Tournament title had always eluded them. Last night, they made certain that the void would be filled, cruising to an 8-1 victory over North Andover at the Burnham Road softball complex.