They saved their best for last. After several successful years at the junior level, Ken Mckiernan and the Granite State Falcons decided they were ready for a greater challenge.

The team moved up to the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), and after taking some lumps early, garnered success late.

“Obviously, the level of play is much different in ASA than in juniors. I mean, the pitching is just tremendous ... and we had 14- or 15-year-olds playing against girls who could be turning 17,” said Mckiernan, who noted his squad is composed mostly of 14-yearsolds, yet competes at the 16U level because five players exceeded the 14U age limit. “This year was mostly about gaining experience ... It’s been a year of transition and trying to get used to level of play, so things should be a lot easier next year.”

While the Falcons didn’t win any of their seven tournaments, they consistently found ways to remain competitive against older foes. In fact, playing amongst 12 to 16 teams per tourney, the Falcons finished fifth in Concord earlier this month, and in the top four in their last competition of the year, Saturday, Aug. 9, and Sunday, Aug. 10, in Taunton, Mass.

“The level of commitment is much greater at this level,” said Mckiernan. “It’s very important to stay focused and continue improving, and you can see that the girls who make that commitment are the ones succeeding.”

This year’s unit was led by a nucleus of Hooksett natives including first baseman Jayne Kelly, catcher Ariel Wilson, pitcher Deven Mckiernan and third baseman/ left fielder Taylor Frazier. Indeed, most of the girls played under Mckiernan in Little League, at Cawley Middle School in Hooksett and at the junior level.

“The core group has been with me seven years, and most of the girls play soccer with me as well,” said the coach.

This season, however, Mckiernan and company opened their arms to players from other area towns.

Windham’s Valerie Bauer and Grace Cardarelli, Pembroke’s Danielle McQueen and Londonderry’s Emily Dunn and Danielle Bencivenga joined Hooksett’s Brittany Donovan, Haleigh Parker, Kaitlyn Philbrick and Rachel Ross. And Mckiernan said the team is still looking for more committed players.

Those interested, he said, can contact him by phone at 625-2016, or e-mail him at bunkster26@ comcast.net.