Through five innings on July 9, Salem American proved a most inhospitable District- 1 Little League host, keeping Hooksett’s 11- and 12-yearold all-stars from threatening its house. Strong pitching, flawless fielding and timely hitting gave the home team a 4-0 edge.

Prior to the top of the sixth and final inning, Hooksett coach Jim White queried the subdued group of 12-year-olds.

“Is the season going to end now?” asked White.

“No!” replied the 12 suddenly energized green-and-gold-clad ballplayers.

The season did end, but not before Hooksett nearly knocked down Salem’s front door, scoring three times, putting the tying and go-ahead runners on second and third, scaring the heck out of the hosts, then succumbing, 4-3.

It was the second 4-3 loss by Hooksett in its District-1 run. The locals also fell to Salem National on July 2, but the late-game effort, said White, came as no surprise to him.

“That’s been their signature,” he said. “They make it really tough on the opposition.”

This year’s group outscored its foes, 32-11, crushing Manchester Central, 10-0, and Plaistow, 12-1, in losers bracket action.

Hooksett scored runs in bunches during the tournament, and the team tended to unleash its attack later in games. Among the many tournament highlights were Scott Robidoux’s first career home run and Andrew Kehas’ blast against Plaistow.

“That’s where that confidence comes from,” said White. “We know we’re going to hit, we’re going to score. It’s just a matter of when.”

Jake Bjornberg, who led off in three of the games, posted an on-base percentage around .500, while Aidan White led the stingy pitching staff with two wins. He allowed three earned runs in 11 innings, fanning 11 in the process.

Kehas started against Salem American, and he nearly escaped a first-inning jam with the help of right fielder Connor Boucher, whose catch and throw home held a Salem runner at third. Two singles later, though, and Hooksett trailed, 2-0.

The deficit doubled in the fourth. A pair of errors allowed the two runs to cross, but relief pitcher Austin Sprague fanned two straight – one looking at strike three, the other swinging and missing – to avoid further trouble. He fanned two more in the fifth, setting up Hooksett’s sixth-inning rally.

Bjornberg worked a bases on balls. After an out, Kehas walked. Sprague’s infield single loaded the bases, moving the Hooksett faithful to the edge of their seats. After catcher Mike Martinez collected an RBI with another walk, Brian Jutras delivered a two-RBI single to left.

Jake Parker advanced the runners to second and third with a groundout, but Boucher was nipped at first by the pitcher, who was forced to throw from his knees to end Hooksett’s uprising and its spirited season.

“That,” concluded White, “was typical of the team.”

Cam St. George hit cleanup for Hooksett, while Tanner Walls and Justin Smith, who walked against Salem American, completed the all-star roster.