Auburn News : baseball

For Sweeney, even a rebuilding year includes playoff appearance

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:28:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

David Flurey doesn’t like admitting it, but in the back of his mind he had to set the bar a little lower.

After all, his Sweeney Post 2 American Legion baseball team lost 10 players, including seven starters, after winning the state title in 2007 and earning a second trip to regionals in four years, its third in the last six.

Yet at the end of a grueling 18- game run, through rain and hot weather, Sweeney was, well, still Sweeney.

The Manchester squad scrapped to an 11-7 regular season and earned one of four District A playoff berths.

“I think we overachieved a little, especially coming off last year’s team, which may not have been the best, talent-wise, but believed they were the best,” said Flurey. “This was definitely a rebuilding year, and these kids exceeded the expectations of most.”

So even though Post 2 was bumped from the tourney following a 9-1 opening-round setback to Derry and a 12-10 loss to Hudson on day two, Flurey said the basic characteristics necessary to play for Sweeney were still clear in each of his players.

“We had a lot of physical and mental mistakes throughout the year, but the team definitely fought hard,” he said. “There was no quit in these players, regardless of the score, and that’s the type of kid that’s fortunate to play for Sweeney.”

In the final contest, Post 2 fell behind, 10-5, but came back to tie the contest in the eighth, before ultimately succumbing to Hudson’s relentless bats.

Still, minus the veteran leadership of 2007, Flurey said this year’s team demonstrated it could compete with any squad in the state. That’s no surprise considering Sweeney has 29 titles since the tournament was established in 1928 – a total far exceeding any foe’s.

Sweeney hosts the 2009 regional tournament in Manchester. Though that responsibility earns the host an automatic spot, Flurey said the expectation remains no less than state title No. 30. “The mentality of any kid that plays for Sweeney … they put the uniform on and they expect to win right up until the season’s over. They believe that, and that’s something that can’t be taught, it’s just a mindset and a tradition that’s been carried on through the years,” said Flurey.

The lone starters returning from last year were Manchester Memorial standout Kyle Morrill of Auburn, who plays baseball for Keene State College next spring, and his high school teammate Tyler Poltak.

While Poltak’s eligibility is gone, along with Victor Noel, Matt Keddie, John Goeman and Candia’s Zach Lemire, Morrill is expected to return.

Others likely to sport Sweeney navy blue and red again next season include Auburn’s Timothy Gregoire and John Kalliel, Hooksett’s Zac Harisiades and Manchester’s Shane Beauchemin, William Dubois, Matt Flynn, Zachary Hartshorn, Kyle Levesque, Shane Murphy, Matt Rosa and Michael Walters.

Auburn’s Matty Dobens team meets success at tournament

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:37:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

It wasn’t October, but Red was in the hunt.

The Auburn Red Little League team swept through pool play with a 4-0 record, then defeated Manchester West Side, 12-2, to advance to the semifinals of the annual Matty Dobens tournament, hosted by Manchester South.

Though the locals lost their next two contests, 5-0 to Bedford, on Friday, July 25, and 3-2 to Atkinson the next day, they were still smiling following the final pitch.

After all, they finished in the top four of the traditionally competitive 15-team tournament and won the skills competition to boot.

“It turned into a fantastic experience for my team to play against top competition from the area, and it definitely brought out the best in my kids’ abilities,” said manager Ed Mottola. “They were excited to play baseball and were really super through the whole thing.”

Auburn Red won two of four skills competition events and earned a “nice big trophy” for the players’ efforts, said Mottola.

After Chris Widdison won the accuracy challenge by throwing the ball, on one hop, from center field into a barrel at home plate, Anthony Desisto earned the victory in the home run derby by socking a pitch 203 feet.

Against Atkinson, a team Auburn Red beat, 12-11, earlier in the tournament, the boys held a 2-1 advantage until the final inning. The game ended on a bang-bang play at the plate that went against Red. Mike Webber received the game ball for his two RBI singles.

Bill Lorenz and Pete Webber helped Mottola coach the squad, which included Mason Caseres, Dana Bolduc, Mike Decotis, Cam Dube, Rob Daneau, Steve Tewksbury, Chris Pelton, Andrew Lufkin, Connor Lorenz, Matt Webber and Regan Colvin.

“When the playoffs began, we knew we were down to top-six teams,” said Mottola. “And overall, I’d say that it was great for them to see how some of the other top programs play baseball.”

After two impressive wins, Memorial eliminated in semifinal

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:40:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

If you had asked him two weeks ago if his Memorial baseball team would be playing in the Class L semifinals, Don Menswar would have been more likely to laugh than nod. Yet that’s exactly where the No. 15 Crusaders ended up, facing third-seeded Goffstown at Nashua’s Holman Stadium on June 11.

And had it not been for an early missed opportunity, Menswar may very well have been preparing his team for the state title game.

Instead, Memorial found itself on the losing end of a 4-1 score.

With two outs and the bases loaded after a Kyle Morrill single in the first inning, a baserunning error at third base signaled a change in momentum. Two Memorial errors and two subsequent Goffstown runs in the bottom of the frame affirmed the shift.

“I told them after the game they have no right to hang their heads,” said Menswar. “You know, with beating a team like (No. 2) Keene, with beating a team like (No. 7 Pinkerton) and giving Goffstown all they wanted, I’m proud of these kids.

“They battled, but you know, against a team like Goffstown … we had (pitcher) Matt Gifford on the ropes in inning one. But they made the plays, and we didn’t.”

One person not surprised to see Memorial in the semis was Grizzlies coach Matt Benson. “The south end (of Manchester) always has good baseball players. Memorial is an outstanding … baseball school, and they’re notorious for that,” said Benson. “Those kids play baseball all summer, Sweeney Post is an outstanding program, and those kids, they know how to win. They know how to play tournament baseball. I could have easily seen them winning, no problem.”

Menswar said his players, at least until very recently, underachieved throughout 2008, and he noted next season may be an even greater challenge.

“We have six kids coming back,” said the manager. “The biggest message they have to get is you’ve got to scrap and battle every inning, and that’s what they learned in the playoffs that they didn’t in the regular season.”

There may have been no better example of how to conduct oneself on the field than Auburn’s Morrill, who sacrificed his high school pitching career to dedicate himself to solidifying the team’s defense as shortstop.

“You don’t replace a kid like Kyle,” said Menswar. “Kyle Morrill is a kid who as a sophomore came up for us and pitched two dynamite games for us and helped us win the tournament. He’s a class kid from a class family, and Keene State (College) is lucky to have him next season.”

Sub-.500 Memorial two wins from state championship

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:49:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

As Pinkerton baseball manager Ron Manseau and his players boarded their bus, heads hung in defeat, a voice from behind called out. “Hey, did you guys catch something, or what?” “We caught something alright,” replied Manseau. “We caught lighting.”

The shock came when the seventh-seeded Astros fell via the mercy rule, 10-0, to Manchester Memorial, the No. 15 seed, in the quarterfinals of the Class L tournament.

“We haven’t been ‘10- runned’ all year, so it’s kind of embarrassing,” said Manseau. “It started with the Keene game, and (Memorial) just started putting it together at the right time. We ran into a buzzsaw. What can I say?”

Indeed, after a 7-12 regular season, the Crusaders used a two-week layoff to regroup before upsetting 16-win and No. 2-seeded Keene, 8-4, in the opening round of the playoffs.

“’I’m not going to say those two weeks helped us, but it got our 10 seniors in a frame of mind where they realized this year is it,” said Memorial’s manager, Don Menswar. “And now that every game could be their last day, they’re at a point where they’re playing like we expected them to all season.”

The team showed hardly a glimpse of its current form during the regular season, so add Menswar to the list of those surprised by the recent developments.

“We were averaging six walks a game, three errors, a couple hit batsmen. We’d win a ball game here and there, but it’d be 15-14,” he said. “We lost our last three … I really wasn’t confident in this team. I mean, we haven’t done this all year. Forget up and down, we’ve been down. We flat-out struggled all year.”

But Menswar credits his seniors, including Kyle Morrill of Auburn, for turning the season around at the right time. “We’re gelling at the right time,” said the coach. “We’re throwing strikes. We’re getting hits in timely situations. We’re not making errors. We’re just playing good, good Memorial baseball.”

Even up 10 runs against Pinkerton, however, the Crusaders were kept on their toes. Twice the players ran out of the dugout and onto the field in jubilation. Twice they were sent back.

On the third attempt, Memorial was finally allowed to celebrate its accomplishment.

An umpire first called the game based on the 10-run Class L mercy rule, another stepped in and said the procedure applied only to opening-round games. After a conference, the officials changed their minds three more times until finally Memorial was declared the winner and sent to the semifinals against No. 3 Goffstown. The contest was scheduled for Wednesday, June 11.

“We’re on a roll,” said Menswar. “They’re as good as we expected, and we’ve been telling them all year that they’re this good, and they didn’t believe it. I don’t know, maybe they’re believing it now.”

Legion to region – Sweeney Post wins states, plays in Vermont

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:41:00 GMT

BY RYAN O'CONNOR

Three years ago, Sweeney Post baseball reached the regional tournament but finished third, losing in the semifinals to the eventual American Legion World Series champion.

This year, manager David Flurey said his team has the tools and talent to improve on that fine performance.

“I wouldn’t say the best team always wins, but we will go up there and definitely leave it all on the field,” said Flurey. “I don’t know what the other teams are like, but you won’t find a team with a bigger heart than Sweeney.”

On Thursday, Aug. 9, Sweeney won the American Legion state title, by defeating Keene, 9-6.

Auburn’s Matt Skeffington doubled in two runners to put his team ahead, 2-0, in the first inning.

“You always want to get off to a good start,” said Flurey. “It’s nice to play ahead, but in a park like this, against a team like Keene, you know it’s going to take more than two runs to beat them.”

Though Keene came back to tie the game in the third, Sweeney gave itself some cushion in the top of the sixth inning.Tyler Poltak led off with a single, Craig Charest was hit by a pitch and Kyle Morrill drew a walk to load the bases.

Alex Quintal drew another base on balls to bring Poltak home, and Michael Pariseau increased the lead to 4-2 with a base hit.

Sweeney’s offensive flame burned brightest in the eighth inning, when it batted around, beginning with a leadoff double by Morrill. Pariseau then hit a shot lost in the trees behind center field to put the locals ahead, 6-2.

By the end of the inning, the lead was seven runs.

Sweeney needed it.

In the bottom of the ninth, Keene charged back but couldn’t overcome the large deficit, sending Sweeney to Burlington, Vt., for the regional tournament.

Skeffington finished the game with two hits in five at-bats, knocking in two runs and scoring one.

“He’s a leader, and the kids look to him for the big hit,” said Flurey of his four-year starting shortstop.

“Between him and Bryan Poltak, I don’t think there is a better shortstop-second base combo in the state.”

Morrill went 2-for-4 on the day and crossed the plate once. Though the 16-year-old didn’t start routinely during the regular season, Flurey said it was important to get his bat in the lineup.

“Kyle is a regular starter for Memorial (High School), and we wanted to get a little more production in the lineup with another solid outfield bat,” he said. “He’s got good speed, and I just felt putting him in right field gave us a better chance offensively.”

Shane Beauchemin pitched a complete game, fanning five and allowing four earned runs.

Sweeney begins regional play on Thursday, Aug. 16.

Sweeney’s search – Despite bad loss, Legion club still needs just one win for crown

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:19:00 GMT

BY RYAN O'CONNOR

Manager David Flurey knew, even before the game on Tuesday, Aug. 7, that his team had to win at least once the next day to take home the New Hampshire American Legion baseball tournament title.

But by losing, 15-2, to Laconia on Aug. 7, the Sweeney Post baseball team left no room for error.

Had the previously undefeated squad won the semifinal match-up against its Lakes Region foe, it would have had two chances against Keene to secure the championship.

Now, Sweeney’s season hinges on one game, scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m., against the winner of the Keene and Laconia semifinal contest earlier in the day.

“It doesn’t matter. We beat them both, so regardless of who we play, I expect a good game,” said Flurey.

After a scoreless first and second inning, Laconia scored five runs in the third. But Flurey’s boys held the opposition scoreless the next three innings and had repeated chances to chip away at the lead.

In the fourth, Auburn’s Matt Skeffington led off with a single and advanced to third when a pickoff attempt sailed over his head. After consecutive walks to load the bases, Shane Robinson knocked Skeffington home with a base hit.

Three consecutive outs later, however, Sweeney’s rally was killed.

Similarly, in the bottom of the sixth, Craig Charest singled and came home on an Alex Quintal double.

Auburn’s Kyle Morrill hit a pinch-hit single and stole third to put runners on second and third, but Sweeney again couldn’t capitalize.

Laconia scored 10 runs in the top of the seventh and, after a scoreless bottom of the frame, Sweeney lost via mercy rule.

Flurey expressed confidence going into the finale, noting his team showed resiliency when it mounted a five-run comeback in the bottom of the ninth to beat Nashua in the opening round, 10-9.

“All we needed to do is win one more game on Wednesday to be the state champs,” said Flurey following the loss. “The kids knew that going in. We didn’t throw any of our stud pitchers, and now we have four or five fresh arms ready to go. I’ll take my chances with that.”

Despite ousting, Auburn stays upbeat

Hooksett Editor — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:01:00 GMT

BY SAPNA PATHAK

Kevin Jackson knew the season would come to an end. He knew there would be a time where he’d have to thank his young players for their effort and hard work and congratulate them on their accomplishments competing in the 11- and 12-year-old Little League District 1 tournament.

He just didn’t think it would come so soon.

After an emotional walk-off win against rival Hooksett in their first tournament game, the all-stars of Auburn Little League dropped their next two match-ups and were eliminated from this year’s tournament.

“They all have such great attitudes. You won’t see these guys hang their heads,” said Jackson.

“They’re a great bunch, always smiling no matter what the score looks like. Sure they’re competitive, but they try to make the best out of every situation.”

The all-stars looked to bounce back from a 21-1 loss on June 27 to powerful Bedford when they hosted Windham on Saturday, June 30. Despite the 9-5 loss, Auburn held true to its manager’s assessment, enjoying time after the game to mingle with Windham players and families over water slides, arcade games, hot dogs and hamburgers in celebration of Auburn Day.

Windham jumped on Auburn starter Dan Quinn early, taking a 4-1 lead after two innings. Gary Archembault put his team on the board, scoring on a Windham error in the second.

Quinn scored on a passed ball in the bottom of the third to cut the deficit to 4-2, then handed the ball to reliever Matt Jackson in the top of the fourth after allowing his fifth run.

Jackson was touched for three runs in the frame before striking out Windham left fielder John Carn to end the inning.

Tyler St. Jean scored on Quinn’s RBI single in the fourth, and Tyler Boyce came around on Jared Gaudreau’s RBI double in the home-half of the fifth. Gaudreau scored Auburn’s final run when Kevin Gonzalez drew an RBI walk.

“They were tough to the end,” said Windham manager Art Mullin. “They loaded the bases three times and made us work to get out of it. They were so hospitable, inviting us to stay for the activities going on for Auburn Day. I talked baseball with the Auburn coaches and (Little League) president. It was a very nice gesture.”

Against Bedford, Gonzalez scored Auburn’s only run on a Jackson double. Archembault and southpaw Ben Trickett couldn’t stifle Bedford’s explosive offense.

“I was upset for a couple of minutes,” said Trickett after the Bedford loss. “Then my teammates told me to calm down and I was doing better. I was nervous when they kept hitting those home runs, but … Oh, well.”

Despite the two losses, which made Auburn eligible for the Fraser Tournament, Trickett and his teammates had the chance to celebrate one well-earned win.

Hosting Hooksett June 25, Auburn battled back from a 4-2 deficit to take home a 5-4 win. Jackson, already responsible for a walk-off win in the league playoffs, provided the game-winning two-RBI double.

“It was pretty much the same kind of pitch,” said Jackson of his at-bat against Hooksett hurler Kyle Macy. “We had two on, two out and they were leading by one run so I figured he’d give me something to work with. I wasn’t that nervous, I just waited for it like my dad (Kevin Jackson) told me.”

Good to the last out – Auburn stars edge Hooksett in final at-bat

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 19:21:00 GMT

BY SAPNA PATHAK

There were looks of shock, gloves thrown in frustration and bats shoved hard into their bags. There were even some tears shed in the dugout after Hooksett’s 11- and 12-year-old Little League all-stars dropped a 5-4 decision to Auburn.

But don’t worry, the hard feelings won’t last long.

In fact, they will certainly disappear, and the squad will look like its regular self by Saturday, June 30, the next time Hooksett takes the field for a game.

“We’ll hold on to this until Saturday,” said Hooksett catcher Evan Hockensmith after the loss, “then we’ll come and be ready to play. I thought we were in it until the end there … I thought we could get out of trouble.”

With starter Mike Beaudet removed after hitting the 85-pitch maximum in 5 2/3 innings, reliever Kyle Macy took the mound with a two-run advantage, two out and two on.

Trailing 4-3 after first baseman Dan Quinn scored on a passed ball, Auburn third baseman Matt Jackson dug in with teammates Kevin Gonzalez and Jared Gaudreau on second and third, respectively.

Macy delivered, and Jackson smacked a hard single up the middle, plating Gaudreau and Gonzalez for the game-tying and game-winning runs.

It was the first contest in this year’s District One tournament for both teams. The win moves the victors to a battle with Bedford on Wednesday, June 27, while Hooksett dropped into the losers bracket and plays an undetermined opponent.

“This time we knew Auburn was comparable to us,” said Hooksett manager Jeff Robideaux. “Speedwise we weren’t burning up the base paths, but neither were they. We had our No. 1 pitcher up there as did they, so I kind of thought it would be an even match-up.”

Hooksett entered the fourth inning leading, 2-0, but Auburn tied things in the home-half of the frame. Hooksett reclaimed the lead, 4-2, in the top of fifth when Riley Cote drew a leadoff walk, Beaudet followed with a single and Hockensmith came through with an RBI single to score Cote.

Beaudet came around on Macy’s RBI single before Auburn’s Jackson made a nice bare-handed play to force out Hockensmith at third base to end the inning. Leadoff hitter Zach Albert and Beaudet scored Hooksett’s first two runs, respectively.

“We had some hits, some good hits,” said Robideaux. “But we also had some balls bounce the wrong way. ‘This is what it feels like to lose a close game. It stinks, but it’ll pass,’ is what I told them after the game in the dugout.”

Rounding out the Hooksett roster are first baseman Zach Parker, who’ll take the mound in Saturday’s game, Rick Prindiville, Tommy Richer, Josh Wilson, Joe Duffy, Seth Gonya and Ryan Houde.

Auburn’s all-stars include Lucas Heggelund, Gary Archembault, Patrick Pariseau, Tyler Boyce, Zach Prunier, Alex Phillips, Nick Blais, Tyler St. Jean and Ben Trickett.