BY SAPNA PATHAK
After dropping out of this year’s state Little League softball tournament, Bow players learned practice skills and life-lessons were important by-products of the experience.
But the most important aspects each all-star takes from the season are newfound friendships and a handful of memories.
Bow’s 11- and 12-year-olds saw their tourney appearance end after a 19-16 home loss to Pelham on Saturday, July 14.
“They were well aware of what they could do,” said Bow manager Van Mosher. “When you get off to a rough start like that (in a 27-7 loss to Auburn), it’s hard to climb back, but to see them work as a team despite not playing together beforehand was just great. We’re one of the only teams that had girls from different towns, while others have girls playing together during the regular season, too.”
Drawing players from Bow and Dunbarton, Mosher’s initial practices focused less on drills and more on developing a level of comfort among his young all-stars. Joining the roster from Dunbarton were Molly Brennan, Holly St. Onge, Jackie Trexler, Molly Goldstein, Brooke Novakoski and Faith Francoeur.
“We were a little nervous because we knew if we didn’t beat Pelham, we were out of the tournament,” said Francoeur, who started both games at first. “But we weren’t sad or crying or anything because I think we had more fun meeting each other and making new friends.”
Starter Kelsie Tucker took the mound, throwing one inning after an injured wrist sidelined her from the Auburn game.
Tucker was roughed up for eight runs in the top of the first, allowing Pelham to score six runs with two outs.
Hits from Tucker, Robin Binsse, Goldstein, Francoeur and Amy Zahensky helped the squad chip away at the deficit.
After knotting the score, 14-14, in the bottom of the fifth, Bow couldn’t overcome Pelham’s three-run attack in top of the sixth.
Zahensky scored three runs in the contest. Binsse came around once, and Madison Stanley scored twice. Tucker and Francoeur each logged two RBI. Completing Bow’s roster were Kim Destafano, who threw four innings of relief, outfielder Angela Conklin and second baseman Julianne Mosher.
“We really wanted to spring back from that Auburn loss and not have a two-game season,” said Mosher. “But it just didn’t happen. For the most part, our girls played against each other during the season and then when they were able to become friends … it really showed their true colors.”