Lakes Region Sports Roundup – March 5, 2018

High School Softball:

A special team in Gilford?

The Gilford Eagles invert their pitchers and get another huge win. Ella Harris started with Colby Butterfield, who usually starts, cleaning things up for a 13-1 romp over Franklin. Sophomore shortstop Randi Byars hit her first varsity home run as part of the 12-hit attack. Alexis Lacroix and Jillian Lachapelle had 2 hits and 2 RBIs each. Coach Joan Forge sees the stats and knows she’s got something special at least early on. “Our offense has put up 66 runs on 77 hits in the first 6 games of the season and we’ve only allowed 7 runs. The pitching staff has given up only 17 hits and recorded 62 strikeouts!” Later in the week The Eagles soared past Inter-Lakes 9-0 as the Gilford Express continues to chug along!

Raiders rout Sachems

The Belmont Raiders pounded the Laconia Sachems 16-0 in 5 innings. According to Coach Bill Clary, Jordan Sargent played extremely well. “She went 3-4 with a grand slam and 5 RBIs and offense was just the start as she also had a stellar game in the field.” Lizzie Fleming pitched 4 innings for the win allowing 4 hits, 3 walks and 4 K’s. Run support was also provided by Julianna Estremera 3-4, Kara Stephens 3-4 with a double, Chantel Martin 2-4. Belmont scored 6 runs in the second and 8 runs in the third to break the game open.

Taylor tallies 2 homers, 10 K's for Panthers

Moultonborough Academy dropped rival Inter-Lakes 8-2. After a slow start the Panthers came alive in the 4th inning scoring 4 runs, which started with an Allie Taylor rope over the left center fence. The Panthers put two more on the board in the 5th with a 2 run home run by Taylor and two more in the 6th when Meg Weeks scored on a Lauren Shipp double, then Shipp scored on a Liz Eaton single. Taylor pitched 7 innings, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits, 10 strikeouts and 4 walks. Inter-Lakes’s runs came on a 2-run bomb by catcher Jordan Durand. The Panthers had 14 hits on the day with Meg Weeks going perfect 3-3, Eaton 3-4, and Taylor 2-4 2 HR 3 RBIs. The Panther defense did not commit any errors on the day.

High School Baseball:

Eagles untouchable

The Gilford Eagles stay undefeated with 2 huge wins. First a 19-0 win over a young Franklin team. Alex Muthersbaugh was the winning pitcher going 4 innings giving up 2 hits with 9 Ks. 11 different Eagles scored. Then Gilford moved to 7-0 with an 8-1 win over Berlin. Ace Adrian Siravo went 6 giving up only 2 hits and 1 walk while striking out 12. Come on Adrian, 2 hits?! Freshman Jack McLean went 4-5 while TJ Camilia and Tyler McKinney had 2 hits each.

Inter-Lakes handles MA

The Route 25 rivalry! Inter-Lakes knocked off Moultonborough Academy 11-3. Quinn Taylor went 3-4, Ian St. Cyr 2-5 with a double and 2 RBIs. Hunter Sanders and Ian St. Cyr pitched well in the win

Sachems let slip early lead

Tough sledding continues in DII for the Sachems. Laconia got out to an early lead but a wild pitch by Ryan Dee in the second inning allowed Milford to go ahead and cruise to a 6-3 victory. Ryan went 4 innings giving up 2 earned runs striking out 5 and walking 1. Little brother Logan come in relief and blanked the Spartans over and inning and a third. Ryan Chandler collected 2 hits while Cam Haynes knocked in a run and scored one as well. Tyler Richter continued to hit, collecting 2. The Sachems continue to struggle defensively as well committing 4 errors yet could not take advantage of 6 miscues on Milford’s part.

Newfound, Prospect and Winnisquam pick up Ws

In other action, Newfound got their first win of the season in the nightcap of a doubleheader with Kearsarge 8-5. The Bears lost the opener 12-2. Meanwhile, Prospect Mountain and Winnisquam spit their doubleheader with the Timberwolves squeaking out a 4-1 win in the first game and the Bears coming back in the second 11-2.

High School Lacrosse –

Cougars shock the Sachems

Sachems stunned! In a game heard on WEMJ, the Sachems were cruising to their 4th win of the season when they got shocked by the defending state champion Kearsarge Cougars. Earlier this year Laconia handled the Cougars in Kearsarge and it looked like more of the same for the first 35 minutes. Laconia was dominating the face-offs and getting every ground ball while the Cougars were making unforced errors and giving the ball away while Laconia was capitalizing, jumping out to an 8 goal lead.

At the half Laconia lead 9-3 and scored the first 2 goals in the 2nd half. Kearsarge made a change in goal, sending in sophomore Marissa Pickman, in and that made a huge difference as she stoned the Sachems on multiple shots and scoring chances late in the game. The turning point seemed to be when top scorer Becca Howe left with an injury but did return early in the 2nd half. Then Megan Gaspa went to the bench with a knee injury and a right leg cramp forced Skylar Tautkus to the sidelines. They all returned but the momentum had shifted to Kearsarge who outscored Laconia 7-1 over the final 15 minutes, tying the game with 34 seconds left in regulation and winning it on the first possession of overtime 27 seconds in.

Coach Bob Howe said it was one of their toughest losses. “It’s hard and the girls will live with this for a while. We had way too many mental mistakes turning the ball over and giving them the chances they needed to get back in the game.” Howe also noted the injuries made a big difference. “Having our top three players go down was a problem and had us out of sorts. But give Kearsarge credit, they came back, stole the energy and momentum and earned the win.” Becca Howe and Skylar Tautkus each scored 4, Caitlin Beattie tallied 2.

Eagles stretch their wings

Growth continues! The Gilford Eagles get a decisive 14-4 win over Inter-Lakes-Moultonborough. Coach David Rogacki said his girls played well despite the change in climate. “Our players did a good job adjusting to the turf field on a very hot day, but better than the wind chills last week!” He was also impressed with the team game. “Increased passing and aggressive defense were the difference. Passing contributed to six different players and ten assists on the 14 goals.” Shelby Cole had 5 goals and three assists, while Laurel Normandin contributed 4 goals and 2 assists. Kolbi Plante had 2 goals, 2 assists along with Sophie Leggett's goal and two assists. Jenna Delucca contributed a late goal while Erin Hart had a goal and Kayla Mercier contributed with an assist. Defense was anchored by Olivia Harris, Abby Warren, and goalie Julia Spooner.

Can Laconia keep this up?

Just when you thought the offensive numbers couldn’t get any more ridiculous the Sachems hang 21 on Milford! This time they let up double digit goals for the first time this season so that will give Coach Andy Paronto something to complain about, I guess! Ryan Chiasson had 6 goals and 2 assists, Jakob Steele and Riley Roy each had 5 goals and 2 assists, Parker Minor had 4 goals and 1 assist, Cole Champoux added 1 goal and 3 assists, Bailey Moore had a goal and an assist, and Cole Reid had 2 assists. Stephen Towers was strong in net making 16 saves. The boys are 6-0 and cruising but some stiffer competition is ahead.

High School Tennis –

Doubles matches turn the tide for Inter-Lakes girls

This one was one will be remembered for a while. The headline will be that the Lakers beat the Panthers 5-4. But it came down to the doubles matches to decide this one as it was back and forth. The Lakers came out of the gate strong with Alyss Floyd and Ava Duymazlar winning their singles matches decisively. Then the Panthers clawed back with wins at 3-5 with Megan Swedberg, Aubrie Smart and Maddie Burns to take a 3-2 lead. Then Ella St. Cyr dropped Maddie Colby to tie things up heading into doubles! The Lakers took the top doubles match with Gabriele Nedeau and Alyssa Floyd, while Ava Duymazlar and Phoebe Hoag teamed up to win their game and the match for Inter-Lakes. The Panthers took the 3rd doubles match with Belle Hoag and Ella St. Cyr winning.

Knights boys fall to Kennett

Another tough loss for the Knights but Coach Steve Langevin saw some positive things against Kennett. “Russell Lucia won a grueling 8-5 match at first singles to improve to 5-1 but we lost to Kennett 8-1. Chase Bailey (8-5) and Andrew Bacon (8-4) played well in defeat.”

Unified Volleyball –

Inter-Lakes rallies in loss

The Lakers took one on the chin losing to Pembroke 2-1. They got out early with a 25-22 win in set one but lost the next 2 (25-11 and 15-11). Coach Leslie Nesbitt said the kids played great. “I was really proud of my team, as they played hard. Even though we had to play with only five on the court at times, due to one of the athletes not feeling well. They stepped it up and worked together as a unit.” One player in particular stood out. “Ashley Paquin had so many amazing bump passes, and assists. I was very proud of the serving from all the players.” Next up it’s the Laconia Sachems next week!

High School Track:

Golden Eagle girls shine again!

Natalie Fraser led GHS to a win at home in a 7 team meet. Gilford scored 166 points, White Mountain and Belmont 62, Hopkinton 50, Prospect Mountain, Brady 29, Mascenic 22. Natalie won the 200m dash & 400m run. She was also a member of the winning 4x100 relay along with Brianna Fraser, Laurel Gingrich & Lauren Dean and the winning 4x400 relay team with Brianna, Lauren and Kaitlyn Callahan. Brianna Fraser was first in the 100m and second in the 200m. Lauren Dean was second in the 400m. Kati Gamache was 1st in the javelin and 2nd in the shot put. Emma Ramsey placed 2nd in the discus and 3rd in the 100 hurdles. Shushu Sawyer was 3rd in the shot and 4th in the discus, Sydni Lehr placed 2dn in long jump and Julie Auld was 3rd in the discus. Gilford Coach Joe Wernig was happy. “Overall, it was a great day for Gilford track with some very good performances and a good amount of personal records!”

Weston wins javelin, 2nd in long jump

Belmont Boys cruise with 173 points to Gilford’s 86, White Mountain 83, Hopkinton 68, Mascenic 36, Prospect 24, Bishop Brady 2. Leading the way for Gilford was Korey Weston, winner of the javelin and 2nd in long jump. Sandor Gamache won the triple jump while Michael Wernig placed 1st in the discus.

Gilford relay team finds more speed

The Lady Golden Eagles 4x100 relay team competed at the Clipper Relays Thursday and placed 6th out of 20 Division I and II teams, lowering their time to a season's best 52.88. They currently have the fastest time in DIII and 7th fastest in the whole state. 

The Road Ahead:

Almost halfway through the spring season and as the weather and games heat up we’ll have it all covered right here!

Keith Murray is the host of Lakes Region voice of Sports on 107.3FM WEMJ Saturday and Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. and can be heard on WEEI 101.5FM with daily local sports updates. Reach Keith by email: Sports@1015WEEI.com