Afternoon had nearly turned into evening, but down to its final out on two separate occasions, Bedford High School refused to fade in a back-and-forth Class I baseball affair.

Bedford lost its lead in the top half of what was scheduled to be the final inning of play on Friday, April 24, but erased deficits in the bottom of the seventh and 10th innings to come away with a 6-5 victory over visiting John Stark.

The Generals captured the advantage in the top of the seventh with two runs, and Bedford appeared beaten after its first two hitters were retired in the bottom of the frame.

But Kevin White worked a walk and stole second base, then Nate Harrington forced extra innings with an RBI single.

Neither team mounted a serious threat until the top of the 10th, when the Generals scored a run and had a runner on second with one out.

Joey Maher, who pitched the final three innings of the contest, struck out John Stark’s Brandon Patenaude, and replacement catcher Matt Woodmansee fired to second to catch the baserunner too far off the bag to end the inning and minimize the damage.

Harrington led off the Bedford 10th and was hit by a pitch, and Mike Skilton reached on a bunt single before the next two Bulldogs were retired. Down to his final strike, Lucas Olen laced a ball to right field that was misplayed by the outfielder, scoring both runs and sending his teammates pouring onto the field in celebration.

“They were down by a run and came back and rallied, something new this year that they didn’t have in them last season,” said head coach Craig Blahnik. “This year they definitely have it, and I think it’ll carry over to the rest of the season.”

The second-year Bulldogs opened the season against defending Class L state champion Goffstown, Monadnock Regional and last year’s Class I runner- up Portsmouth, who were a combined 15-0 in their initial contests this season.

According to Blahnik, his team was beginning to feel the effects of a slow start before showing some life against John Stark.

“I think they were getting down. They needed this one to boost the confidence back up,” said Blahnik. “Last year we didn’t get our first win until later, so it was a step for the program and big to be able to get a win early.”