2013 Season

I have witnessed reluctance on the part of many coaches this year to go to the bullpen when things are going "well" but pitch counts are up there.  I'm sure this is based on a variety of factors, not the least of which is the desire to win that game in the late innings and the fear of what lies ahead with the new pitcher.  I assume coaches are aware of pitch counts as everyone keeps a book somewhere.  Are they basing substitutions on feedback from the kid on the mound?  Few aces want to come out when they have a chance to get the W unless their arm is falling off, which could explain it. Not too many coaches appear to draw a line in the sand and pull kids at 65/70 pitches as a policy...

Rvaughn33 - I couldn't have said it better myself.  There must be a culture at Trinity where 101 pitches seems like a low pitch count.  I agree 101 isn't unreasonable but there have been more than a few occasions where they seem to be a bit negligent in how they've used Carmen this season. 

Too many coaches put wins ahead of their player's well-being.  Not all of them but many of them.  In their defense this can't be easy, with the pressure of winning and not wanting to disappoint the rest of the team and fans.  That said, I hope these coaches understand that the people who truly know the game, appreciate and respect what they are doing when they remove a pitcher who's still throwing well but who's obviously thrown too many.

The coaches who disregard and somehow "justify" their overuse of a kid, are either selfish or in denail.  Some of these kids have a chance to go so much higher than High School baseball.  I commend all coaches who put the kids first.  They are out there and they get the respect from people that understand the game so much more than the coaches that get carried off fields after winning championships!

Rogerw, Agree 100%

I understand G already has a scholly to BC. It is beyond me how this kid has been used this year. What happens next year when Currier is gone?

Down the stretch they come....every game is important. 

Bedford  8-6 @ Keene 8-7. Bedford has Timberlane and Central @ home, Exeter on the road remaining.  They have scored 7.4 RPG in their 8 wins and only 2.5 RPG in their 6 loses. Interesting stat but as usual not positive what it means. Keene has North and Exeter at home and travel to Winny to conclude the regular season.  A big game today with playoff position on the line. 

Trinity 6-9 @ Pinkerton  4-11.   Trinity @ BG on Tuesday finishes up at home vs. Timberlane on Friday.  Astros home contests with Dover and South sandwich a trip to Winny next week. Another big game in the standings today.

Londonderry  11-4 @ South 6-8.  Lancers’ streak broken on Wed. look to rebound.   Have Andover, Ma tomorrow., Merrimack, Winny home, and on the road vs. Exeter to finish the regular season. South, 1^st time @ home since April 26 (although one of those games was vs. North at Holman), are at the end of a four-game week.  They have won two straight, and if they can pull this off…

Central  3-12 @ Merrimack 10-4.  Little Green have three remaining, ending with Salem at home on Wed. and a road contest with Bedford on Thursday. Seems like they need 6 wins to have a chance at the dance.  Merrimack with Central today, and three on the road next week, North, Londonderry, and Alvirne, control their own destiny, albeit a very tough road.

Winnacunnet 5-9 @ Memorial 3-11.  Keene, Pinkerton, and @ Londonderry await Winny next week.  Memorial 1-8 in their last 9, are @ Alvirne and South and finish up with Spaulding.

Dover 9-6 @ Bellows Free Academy….Dover with the longest current D1 winning streak @ 7 straight (my guess it will be eight straight after today) finishes with Pinkerton, Alvirne, and Concord. The last 2 at home.

It is official. Trinity's G threw over 100 pitches against Pinkerton on Friday after throwing over 100 pitches on Monday. 5 days, over 200 pitches.

Wow.  and both of those outings were losing efforts, and both with 9 runs allowed.  As his stat lines blow-up, is this a result of overuse, good competition, or overhype? Luke Fernandez from Marshwood HS is another BC kid, was 2012 player of year in Maine, and essentially missed this year with arm issues.  Are they in for a repeat here? 

Some good games on tap today, and I'm sure Mike will give his typically brilliant summary shortly.  From a seacoast perspective, I am curious how Exeter will fare vs. Londonderry, especially if Joyce is taking the hill.  As Pinkerton fights for their life, will they be able to slow down Dover?  The same can be said for South vs. Spaulding.  Winni has won 3 of 4 since their meltdown vs. Dover and face Keene today.  Gareau took a tough loss last week vs. Alvirne in a game Winni had in the win column, hopes to keep the train rolling in Hampton and move up in the standings to draw a more favorable first round opponent.

Do the pitching limits rules do enough to protect these kids?  # of innings seems like a pretty haphazard way to regulate things when a kid can throw 200 pitches in a 5 day span...  why aren't the rules based on pitch count instead of innings?  kids at this age are in a vulnerable spot...they are old enough where it seems like "hovering" for their parents to try and get involved, but it seems like the HS coaches are concerned about the "here and now" and not the kids' futures perhaps, and most competetive kids are going to take the ball and not give it up until forced to do so, or until they are hurt... especially kids that have pitching at the college level in their future...overuse in their junion and senior years can start them off in a less than ideal place at the next level

I need to keep my personal opinion out of the last two comments, for obvious reasons. I will say that I have noticed in the last 4 years that there does in fact, appear to be a lot of over-hype AND under-hype of certain players in NH, including on this site. I heard a certain current pitcher was throwing upper 80's almost 90 this year and when I saw him throw a couple weeks ago, was no more 83-85 (tops) and yet a pitcher throwing 81-82 with solid command with a very low e.r.a never gets a mention. Goes back to last year's discussion on All-State selections ... and yes, I know and accept that certain coaches never get to see certain players due to playing their team only once. Understood!  Moreover, with Trinity's recent slide, it appears they still control their own destiny regarding the extended season by only needing to win 1 of 2 their two remaining games (BG & Timberlaine) ... which might take a little more than mere effort. Currier is slated to go tomorrow (that might even be up in the air) vs BG which would give G almost a weeks rest (6 days).  Anyone know if Morais is pitching tonight or tomorrow.  NOt that I want to see Trinity face Matt, but it would be a good pitching match-up to see cuz Morais and Currier are former Grizzlie teammates.

South was simply overwhelmed and not ready for Londonderry last Friday night. Perhaps a let down from beating Concord the day before. Soph. Dunn started. Doesn't look like he is ready yet. Throws hard but tough time controlling the mental & emotional part of the game out there. A Reed Double broke up the no hitter in the 7th for south (3rd time this year he has broken one up). We'll see if they rebound vs Spaulding and give them a game today. Let's hope the Rain holds off.

NH - Good points.  The part about the parents "hovering" is true. To me, there is nothing worse than a parent that tries to inject themselves in any way with how a coach is handling his team.  With one exception.  The overall well-being of a kid! There is no way, if Carmen was my son, I would NOT have allowed this kind of thing to go on.  Period.  Why? The overuse of this kid that started on game one, simply puts him at risk.  Sure, he may feel no ill effects from this going forward.  But the fact that you have to use the word "may" would be enough for me.  I've seen it happen too much.  Just google "pitcher overuse" and read the horror stories.  The worst part of this is the fact that if/when the ill effects start to happen, it will be long after the kid leaves the school and it will appear like high school had nothing to do with it.  Hopefully Trinity does well in the playoffs.  They seem to really want to get there.

Nasty Lefty:

Things could change, but my guess is Matt goes today against Salem and Jeff goes Tuesday against Trinity.

With regard to pitch counts - I think a lot of the arguments there are old vs. new school of coaching.

JohnF - There is no argument.  We know more today.  The "old school" way in regards to pitch counts, was harmful to pitchers. If this guy uses the excuse "Well, I come from the "old school" and I beleive that a kid can go until yada yada yada"  then he's being irresponsible and neglectful.  Facts are facts.  It's out there.  When you overuse a pitcher, (and Carmen has been overused), then you are putting him at risk. Any excuse about "old school" thinking is a cop out.

correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe NH high school baseball utilizes any availability rules for pitchers (ie innings per week, rest days or pitch counts).  I am under the belief that it has been left up to the coaches to determine useage, including the playoffs.  Is this correct?

I'm not so sure 100 pitches 5 days apart each outing apart is overuse. If we talking EVERY outing or if we are getting up into the 120's then yes. Many of the problems I see now days is lack of long toss programs and building an arm up and not enough rest in between starts. And if I recall, BC had a pitcher locally (Salem ?) that THEY told him and the coach they were shutting him down, so I'm sure the College programs are monitoring these pitchers.

I can understand college coaches monitoring seniors who have already been recruited but would they be looking at junior prospects.  I don't even think they are allowed to speak to the kids based on NCAA rules.  Has this kid actually been given an offer or is this just talk?

 SNHBBALL Coach,

200+ pitches in 5 days (3 days rest between 100+ pitch games) isn't overuse??? I would say anytime a High School pitcher throws 120 or over is overuse regardless of 3 days rest between starts & this has happened with this particular pitcher just about every game according to the people that watch all of Trinitys games.

I would say every 5 days is the norm in HS wouldn't you ? That's the way it's seems to have gone the last 8-9 years I've been watching. But yes, 120+ every start has to be wearing him down.

The problem is we are not even talking about every 5 days. This was 120ish on Monday & 108ish on Friday. 3 Days apart!!

From what I understand G has a scholly to BC in hand. That's what Ive been told. I cannot confirm that.

I understand...it's 3 days rest pitching on the 4th day after, I get that, but again, it's Not uncommon in past years. Now if he's going every Monday and Friday, it's a LOT less, in between starts. every start, 120 + is asking for trouble.

Back to baseball talk.  Teams like North, BG, Concord, Merrimack and others will certainly be in the mix when it comes to contending for the championship, but the way it looks right now, no team looks as loaded as Londonderry. This weekend Rob Del Signore came within one out of a no-hitter (Reed) against South, and the next morning Ryan Moloney pitched a stellar two hit shutout against a very talented Andover Ma, team.  Tom Corey has been just as outstanding only he had the misfortune of being on the mound a couple of times where his defense let him down late. These are certainly three of the best pitchers in New Hampshire.  Combine that with one of the best offenses and you definitely have the team to beat.  Still, if I'm Londonderry, I don't want Nashua North.  They have bulletin board material!

NHIAA has a rule that states more than 5 innings pitched in a game requires 3 days of rest.  Additionally no more than 9 in one day and 15 in a 7 day period.

As I understand it G and Currier swap 2 game weeks - that is Week1 G gets M/F and Currier gets Wed.  Week2  Currier gets M/F and G gets Wednesday.

FWIW: Situations such as this are why rules are created... then everyone forgets the why, redacts the rule, and immediately is reminded of why the rule was there in the first place...

Either last year or the one before, Portsmouth almost got into trouble with the 9 inning per game rule in a playoff game.  Some will argue pitch count, while others argue inning count.  Since there's no official statistician available (paid) for every game, we get inning counts.  It's still up to the player and parent to make pitch count limits.  Whether the coach obliges is up to the coach.

My opinion is that any team that rides 2 starters consistently through an entire season are not only doing the kids a disservice, but are setting themselves up for trouble should an injury or issue occur...having to bring in a new kid late in the season or playoffs...

As far as "statistician" - I dont buy that. Someone has to keep track of "innings" - is it that much harder to keep track of pitch count?  Maybe the NHIAA could supply every team with a "klicker"  Its counting pitches, not determining hits vs errors, etc - make each team count the pitches of both teams, and submit after each game...???

The variability of # of pitches per inning is such that the current rules do little to regulate the actually use of a pitcher's arm...

My opinion is that a conservative pitch count rule would take the burden off a) a kid who thinks he cant pitch forever until he's actually hurt, b) a coach who either wont oblige a parent or players concerns or doesn't have a kid's longterm interest in mind or c) parents having to step in between a player and coach on their behalf - just what every 16-17yo boy wants - mom and dad getting into it with his coach...

It seems kind of silly for kids to work their tails off to have a chance to play at the college level and not start that time is the very best possible shape because of overuse in high school...

Ok.  If anyone cares, I'm in favor of pitch counts.  Men, pitching in the MLB get, 4 days rest after throwing 110 pitches, and the media makes a big deal about those men who come back on three days rest, usually for a playoff game.

Anyway 8 games today.  Most of them have begun, but better late than never.

Londonderry 13-4 @ Exeter 8-7.  Intriguing match-up.  Maloney vs Joyce???  Exeter 6-1 at home where they have some impressive wins.  Lancers poised to be seed #1.

Timberlane 7-8 @ Bedford 8-7.  Owls, winners of 6 out of 8, have played 6 out of last 8 on the road.  Coming off a 4-3 win @ Londonderry.  Bedford has lost 3 of 4, but had won 7 of 9 before that.  Big time playoff implications today.

Merrimack 11-4 @ North 12-5.  North's 6 game win streak snapped 2-1 by Trinity and Currier on Wednesday.  Merrimack has won 8 of 10.   Two rookie head coaches battle for the 1st time.  Couple of Mac's on the hill????? McCormick vs. McCarthy??

Dover 10-6 @ Pinkerton 5-11.  Green Wave with 8 straight have definitely turned their season around.  Pinkerton, making a playoff push, have won 2 straight.  

Spaulding 9-6 @ South 6-9. Spaulding, who have won 3 of 9 after their strong start. is coming off a 5-3 win vs. BG.  South after a busy four-game week, needs a win in their final 3 to get a little playoff breathing room.

BG 10-8 @ Salem 5-12. BG looking to turn things around have lost three-straight and finish with Trinity tomorrow.  Salem stopped the bleeding (eight-straight losses) with an 8-3 victory over Exeter on Wednesday.  Big game for both clubs.

Keene 9-7 @ Winny 6-9. Keene, winners of 8 of last 10, is 2-5 on the road and 6-2 at home in NHIAA contests.  Have a long trip today. They finish this week with two home games vs. North and Exeter.  Winny has won 3 of 4.  

Memorial 3-12 @ Alvirne 8-7.  Memorial has lost four straight and needs a mathematical miracle  Alvirne has won 3 straight and only given-up 4 runs over that stretch.

A couple of surprises yesterday. Pinkerton beat Dover 3-1. That sounds like a good game. Pinkerton is getting hot at the right time.Salem beat BG 5-3, another good game. Anyone see either one.

The North/Merrimack game must have been a thriller. 13 innings tells you that both teams must have shown some pitching depth to go that long.  Two great teams that will be there at the end.  I've looked everywhere for a write up on this one. Hopefully we'll get some details on this game.  Does anyone know someone on this board with writing skills that would have had an interest in this game? (MikeG)

Also, I'm starting to worry about BG.  They've lost their last four games, including a 5-3 loss at Salem last night.  They play their last regular season game tonight against another team going in the wrong direction, Trinity, losers of six of their last seven.  If you believe in momentum, this is a big game for both of these teams.

Speaking of how teams look as they go into the playoffs...Is there a team looking any better than the Lancers of Londonderry?  Tom Corey completed the hat trick of three shutouts in four days.  Friday Del Signore v South; Saturday Moloney v Andover, and last night Corey v Exeter.  Londonderry pounded Exeter 16-0.  We talked about being built for the playoffs?  Is there another team with a stronger 1-2-3 than Londonderry?  I know there are many teams with two.  Having these three kids pitching this well at this time of the year is every coaches dream.  What a luxury going into the playoffs. Again, with the right matchup, they can be beat, but right now, they look to have the best chance to win this whole thing.  They get Merrimack tomorrow, and I'm curious of the matchup.  If Londonderry stays with their normal rotation, they will go with Del Signore, who has been virtually impossible to score against this entire season.  Who will Merrimack go with?

Pinkerton's win against Dover not only was big for them in keeping their playoff hopes alive, it's the kind of win that builds confidence and would make them dangerous if they got there.  Could someone tell me again, what happens if Pinkerton and Salem end up with the same amount of wins but Salem has one extra loss?  Salem played an extra game (two Mass teams).  Salem also beat Pinkerton head to head if that means anything.  As much as I like this Pinkerton team, wouldn't this be unfair to Salem?

This stuff is getting complicated.  Not much I am certain of except Londonderry can take the top spot with one victory in either of their two remaining games—Merrimack or Winny  both @ home, and North, with one victory in their last two games could take the 2^nd seed.  Central and Memorial appear out of the playoff hunt.  Everything else seems too much for the common man.

On today’s schedule.  

Trinity  6-10 @ BG 10-9.  Huge game for Trinity who have lost 9 of last 11.  They appear to need one or two wins to have a playoff chance.  Tie-breakers will be used to settle the last few seeds. Trinity has beaten Salem and South and lost to Pinkerton and Winny.  BG finish regular season today having lost 4 straight.  They seem like an 8 or 9 seed, but I am still not sure how the NHIAA is going to evaluate out of state records.  Both teams pitching make them dangerous in the playoff field.

Concord 10-5 @ Timberlane 8-8.  The Owls are a great story.  They have won 7 of last 9 after starting 1-6 and have moved into position to rise into the top 8 with tie-breakers and some help.  Who knows?  The defending champs have gone 4-5 after starting the season with six-straight victories.  The finish with a home contest vs. Spaulding and a trip to Dover.  They currently sit in the coveted 4^th spot followed closely by Spaulding and Dover. 

Same # of wins means Pink gets nod since Salem's divisor with points is slightly larger. If Salem won those games - how fair would it be since Pink didn't play the same teams? In fact, Pink played Londonderry twice - no one else did that! Last couple of years Dover played StThomas and Keene played ConVal and suffice to say there was a lot of chatter regarding how fair it was to have those games count in the standings if/when they won.

In the end, it's the chance you take in playing out of state games now - they count at least in the first round of "ranking" the teams.  Go to the NHIAA website... Hover over the "Rules"... Select "NHIAA Handbook"... Scroll down and select "By-Law Article XII Seedings and Tie Breaking"

Good luck with it!

I watched that game and I would say the leadership of the seniors needs to show some composure with the mental and emotional aspect of the game more than the pitchers on that staff do. Throwing helmets, slamming bats and helmets, swearing...they showed a complete lack of composure and something that I am sure any scouts would take a pass on. If that kid is a Sophomore, then what does he learn from a Senior when they act like that? I have seen a few North and South Nashua games and South has let its pitchers down routinely with errors and lack of offense. I am actually surprised I did not see more emotion from them with the lack of support. I would be happy with a pitcher showing a "little" emotion and desire over a player getting ticked off because he didnt get a hit.

SCahill I'm gonna side track a little, but If you've seen a few games for South then you know coaching (or lack of it at times) and lack of Coaches period is part of the problem. AD has to take some of the blame here (Players should NEVER be part of the interview process, that's just asking for trouble). Then handcuffing the Head Coach during tryouts by firing the Asst over something very trivial. South has had 6 runners picked off 1st with kids coaching or NO ONE coaching 1st in the last 10 games. It's kind of embarrassing. Part of coaching is laying into them and keeping them in line, even if they WIN a sloppy one. It's just not in his nature. When frustration takes over, even with seniors, you have to keep emotions in check. That's on the seniors, and the coaches. I like the Coach, know him well, but this is not what he is suited for. 

Nice work rogerw.  You touch on some questions that I have been thinking about.  Two big games toinght weather permitting.

Great game last night at Holman.  It is a shame that either team had to lose.  It started out as the battle of the Mac's that I referred to yesterday, but turned into a Gillis vs. Smith affair.

Through six innings Evan McCormick was sharp.   He scattered 3-4 hits, struck out 4, and I don't think he walked a batter. For 7 innings, Kyle McCarthy was also outstanding.  He pitched 8 innings and except for the 4th, when Merrimack scored their 4 runs.  He was very good going to Hartford in September to play for Coach Blood.

Merrimack's big 4th inning was 4 hits 4 runs all earned. All consecutively.... Lead-off double by Holt, single by Black, single by Gasper, HR by McFadden.  McCarthy's total line for 8 innings was 6 hits, 1 walk, 10 strike-outs.

North's 7th came like a bolt of lightening. MacCarthy helped his cause with a one-out single up the middle. Robbins followed by taking a 1-0 pitch over the left field wall.  I didn't think it had a chance...thought it would be a double, but it kept going.  Robert hit McCormick's first offering over the wall in center...a blast.  A couple walks and a WP were followed by the game-tying single to left.  Fortunately the winning run was gunned down at the plate Valuzzi to Gasper, sending the game into extras.  

Devin Gillis came in to throw the 8th and pitched 5 2/3 of great relief.  2 hits, 0 walks, 7 strike outs. One unearned run in the 13th.  Zack Smith did the same.  5 IP, 6 hits, 1 strike out, 0 base on balls.

The game had a playoff feel to it and was a lot of fun.  Too bad that someone had to lose.

the Exeter/Londonderry pitching matchup I wanted to see never materialized, as Joyce was held out so he could throw vs. Bedford Wednesday.  Londonderry feasted on the combined pitching efforts of 4 other Blue Hawk hurlers, while Exeter could only muster 3 hits.  The 8 fielding errors compounded a mismatch into a blowout, with the final 7 runs coming in the 6th inning for the mercy win.  Londonderry can sure rake at the plate even vs. a team's "ace".  They will be a tough out for sure.

For the second time in 3 weeks Winni had a 2 run lead with 2 outs in the 7th and committed an error on what should have been the final out for the win, only to see the opponent rally back to hand the Warriors the heartbreaking loss.  First Timberlane, then Keene.   Those 2 losses in addition to the Concord, Alvirne and South losses are coming back to haunt them.  Errors always do...

I agree with you on that. South's coach might have had some time in the pros but that does not mean he is a good coach. In my experience, coaches are often bad players but know how to lead. And good players, are often horrible coaches. The role of a good high school coach is not only to try and win for the school, but more importantly to help his players reach the next level if possible. To highlight the players that deserve to move to college. But more importantly, to teach them the appropriate behavior on and off the field. Letting your players act like I have seen them act is not being a coach. Did this coach even play college ball?

It's a shame that the AD seems to have dropped the ball, and these kids are paying the price. You have a couple of good senior players on that team in center field, the left hander I saw pitch, and the catcher. Having them on that team diminishes them.

Pinkerton- Gerossie started & went 4, giving up one run. Herlihy pitched the 5th. Huge strike out with the bases loaded to end the inning. Donahue pitched the 6th & 7th & was dominant. Both teams played great defense.

SCahill He did not have College Ball exp. He has been learning as a coach, his pro resume basically got him the job. I'm not even going to say "in time" that he couldn't be a good head coach, but his assistant in place was much more disciplined had the in game strategy knowledge and is the one with the college contacts helping kids to different schools. Probably the reason why the Head coach brought him in in the first place. Together they would have made a good team. But because the AD thought the Head Coach is the one that should be doing ALL of that, he got rid of the Asst, leaving his own hiring out to dry, and in a position to fail. Stupid, and just hurts the kids and the program.

Playoff spots a bit more clear now.  Looks like Central & Memorial at 3-13 are out.  Since three teams do not make the playoffs...the last "non" playoff team will be one of the following...

South 6-10 (Memorial, @Pinkerton)

Winnacunnet 6-10 (Pinkerton @Londonderry)

Pinkerton 6-11 (@Winnacunnet, South)

Trinity 6-11 (Timberlane)

Salem 6-12 (@Central, @North)

Who will it be?

Down the stretch they come....  Seems there are 4 "groups" of playoff teams

tier1: Londonderry, Merrimack, North

- #1 is Londonderry's to lose, Merrimack and Winni are in their way

- #2/#3 has North on inside track.  The out of state games could factor into placement

tier2: Concord, Dover, Spaulding

- #4 is Concord's to lose - they have the other two on their schedule

- #5/#6 is a tossup... Spaulding has 2 road games and holds head2head over Dover

- Dover could fall out of here if they lose both their games.  Their out of state win helps them as does having their final 2 games at home.

tier3: Keene, Alvirne, BG, Bedford, Exeter, Timberlane

- Positions are anyone's guess.  Watch out for the large moving object in your rearview mirror - that's the Timberlane truck.  If they beat Trinity (and G) on Fri they could shoot to #7.  Not a team you want to see in round 1 the way they are playing and winning lately.  Keene's got a couple of toughies with North and Exeter while Alvirne gets Dover and Merrimack.  Bedford has Exeter and Central. It's still a huge tossup. BG is watching and hoping for a home playoff game, but it's dicey at best right now.

tier4: South, Winnacunnet, Trinity, Pinkerton, Salem

All 5 teams have 6 wins... Pinkerton controls their own fate as they play Winni and South.  Trinity's fate rests in G's very capable (albeit perhaps tired) left arm. South also plays Memorial and Salem gets Central, so going strictly by records which is dangerous, one would think they could each win those games. Winni finishes at Londonderry and Salem's at North - I don't think either wants to be scoreboard watching in order to get in.  Salem is hurt by losing 2 out of state games, but might be able to sneak in if Winni loses both their games. Winni does hold the head2head with Trinity should Trinity lose to Timby and both finish 6-12.

Out: Memorial, Central

Who woulda thunkit.  Heck if Trinity loses to Timby on Friday, they could end up in this bucket too.  All 3 Manchester schools not in the D1 playoffs - wow!  Perhaps losing the middle school baseball program has finally caught up with them.

For Winni today it's "Win and you're in" as MacHardy takes mound vs. Pinkerton.  They hold the head to head tiebreaker over Trinity and Salem (not South), but certainly do not want to scoreboard watch on Friday night to find out their fate.  With Londonderry looming on Friday today seems like a good day to take care of business.  Still uncertain how the extra 19th game for Salem plays into this if they finish with 1 more win over Winni but lost to them in Hampton earlier in the year.