The phrase, “Just wait ’til next year!” is often used by also-rans and pretenders to the crown. For Bedford High softball, on the other hand, you’d need to tweak the phrase to “Can’t wait ’til next year!”

And with good reason.

With just two juniors in the starting lineup, the second- year team, loaded with underclassmen, pushed an experienced John Stark group in the Class I softball playoffs before falling, 3-1, on Wednesday, June 3.

But don’t think 11th-seeded BHS was simply happy to reach the postseason. Throughout its 10-6 regular season, the Bulldogs proved a dangerous foe, going 6-6 against playoff teams, including Class L Goffstown.

Against sixth-seeded Stark, sophomore Casey Levis pitched very well, allowing a run in the third inning. Bedford showed its mettle, answering immediately when cleanup hitter Carly Rosenfeld blasted a home run over the left-field fence to lead off the fourth, the one and only ball to leave Stark’s home field in 2009.

Yet as good as Levis was, her team was no match for the Generals’ starter, Emily Sweeney. The home run momentarily rattled the JS senior, who walked consecutive batters later in the frame.

However, she induced a double play to thwart the rally. Bedford had six other atbats throughout the contest with at least one runner in scoring position. Sweeney fanned each of the six hitters.

John Stark plated two more in the fourth to account for the final score.

“These girls are disappointed,” said first-year Bedford coach Geddes, who mentored many current John Stark players when they suited up for Weare Middle School. “We made adjustments at the plate, but you’ve got to give credit to (Sweeney). She made good pitches when she needed to, and we couldn’t lay off the high fastball.”

Everyone returns for the Bulldogs, who started three freshmen – leadoff hitter Heather Fyfe, Rosenfeld and Emily Grassett – against the Generals.

Levis’ batterymate, Meg Delaney, center fielder Genevieve Spagnuolo and fellow outfielders Corrine Breton and Caitlin Cannone were sophomore starters.

Juniors Rachel Morgan and Jess Hughes, at third and second, respectively, completed the starting playoff lineup.

“They’re younger in age, but they’re older mentally, and they’ll get smarter,” said Geddes. “The expectations for next year are higher. We not only want to make the playoffs, we want to go deep into the tournament … The sky’s the limit.”