The Concord Little League 11-12 year-old All-Stars won the District 2 championship on Sunday with a 4-1 victory over Portsmouth. Team members are AJay Landry, Chase Connor, Anthony LaTorra, Drew Mercier, Will Simms, Caden Bechtold, Wes Bailey, Rhys Craigue, Nolan Walsh, Henry Thresher, Jacob Plodzik, Tyler Peterson and Finn Gfroerer. The team is coached by Jon Connor and assisted by Jay Plodzik, Tim LaTorra and Derek Mercier. Courtesy
The Concord 11-12 Little League All-Stars won the District 2 playoff tournament, beating Portsmouth in the final on Sunday, 4-1. No. 2 Concord had to fight from the loser’s bracket to win the double elimination tournament, beating Rye, 5-1, in the opening game, but dropping to the lower bracket after an 8-5 loss to Portsmouth. Concord topped Laconia 10-3 to advance to championship against previously undefeated Portsmouth, but won 1-0 in seven innings on Saturday. Henry Thresher pitched 5.2 shutout innings and Anthony LaTorra pitched 1.1 innings in relief. In the bottom of the seventh with two outs, Nolan Walsh hit a single down the right field line, then stole second base on a passed ball. Will Simms came to the plate and hit a deep shot over the center fielder’s head to score Walsh for the walk-off victory. Sunday’s final game was a pitcher’s duel until the fifth inning when Jacob Plodzik hit a three-run homer with two outs to break the 1-1 tie. Plodzik also hit a grand slam earlier in the tournament. Simms allowed just one run and one walk while striking out six in 5.1 innings on the mound and added a hit at the plate. Tyler Peterson also had a hit. Concord will play District 1 champion Goffstown this weekend for the state title.
■The Concord 10U Little League All-Stars ended their season in the District 2 playoffs with losses to North Manchester-Hooksett and Portsmouth. Against NMH, Nicky Mercier pitched well in relief. Patrick Fennessy (2-for-3, double, run), Leo MacBride (2-for-3, double, two runs), Mercier (3-for-3, run) and Abram Landrigan (2-for-2) led the offense. In the 16-6 loss to Portsmouth, Harrison Beecher and Lars Fjeldsted pitched well for Concord, while offensive production came from Fennessy (2-for-2, walk, two runs), MacBride (2-for-3, two runs) and Mercier (1-for-3).
N.H. Lightning travel softball tryouts have been scheduled for Tuesday-Thursday and on Aug. 2 for its 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18-plus teams. All tryouts will be at Martin Park, 40 Iron Works Road in Concord. For specific dates and times for each team, and for more information, visit nhlightning.org.
Hopkinton Middle High School fall sports tryouts and practices begin on the following dates and times: football, Aug. 12, 7:30 a.m. at Hillsboro-Deering HS; boys’ soccer, Aug. 15, high school field, grades 10-12 at 7:30 a.m. and grade 9 at 4:30 p.m.; girls’ soccer, Aug. 15, 8 a.m. at Houston Field 3; field hockey, Aug. 15, 8 a.m at the high school; cross country, Aug. 15, 8 a.m. at the pavilion at the high school; golf, Aug. 15, 8 a.m. at Country Club of N.H. All middle school sports start on Aug. 29 after school. Boys’ soccer and girls’ soccer will meet on Houston Field, field hockey will meet at Clark Field and cross country will meet at the pavilion. All athletes need a physical from within the last two years to participate.
Merrimack Valley High School fall sports tryouts and practices will take place on the following dates and times. Football equipment handout for seniors and juniors will be on Aug. 1 at 4:15 p.m. and for sophomores and freshmen on Aug. 2 at 4:15 p.m. The first day of football practice will be at Aug. 12 at 8 a.m. All other fall sports (bass fishing, soccer, field hockey, cross country, spirit and JV golf) will begin on Aug. 15 at 8 a.m. at their respective game fields. All students trying out must have a physical on file dated after Jan. 1 of their eighth grade year and ImPact testing completed.
NH Hoop Skills Basketball Camps, directed by Southern New Hampshire University women’s basketball head coach Karen Pinkos, will be held Monday-Thursday for girls in grades 2-9 to build skills, increase self-confidence and have fun while playing basketball. Visit nhhoopskills.com or contact k.pinkos@snhu.edu for more information.
Rundlett Middle School girls’ volleyball open gym will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5-6:30 p.m. on Aug. 1-17 in the RMS gym. This is for all players in grades 6-8, from brand new players interested in learning to returning players working skills. Wear sneakers and bring water.
Roller skating hours at Douglas N. Everett Arena will be Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 6-9 p.m. Roller skating will only be available for a limited time through Sunday. Admission will be $5 with skate rentals available, if needed, for an additional $5 at the Pro Shop. Book a private roller skating event for a birthday party, field trip or rainout event. Private events only cost $150 an hour. Call 228-2784 or email everettarena@concordnh.gov if interested. Visit concordnh.gov/rollerskating for more information.
Spartans AAU Basketball will be hosting its annual Summer League at the Derry Sports Center. Games will be played Tuesday through Thursday evenings through mid-August. All practices are held on Friday nights. For more information, visit nhspartans.com, contact Chris Coates at CoatesNew@hotmail.com or call 603-926-2276.
Concord High School Boys Soccer Alumni Game will be Aug. 18 at Rundlett Middle School at 5:30 p.m. All past players are welcome to participate. Please email Scott Dunlop at scottdunlop28@yahoo.com with any questions.
Hopkinton Middle High School has the following coaching positions open: middle school boys’ soccer, interim JV girls’ soccer coach (for one year) and middle school girls’ soccer. Please contact Dan Meserve at dmeserve@sau66.org if you are interested.
Hillsboro-Deering High School is looking for a JV girls’ volleyball coach, varsity girls’ basketball head coach, JV girls’ basketball coach, varsity girls’ lacrosse head coach, varsity baseball head coach, varsity softball head coach and two outdoor track assistant coaches. Interested applicants who can commit to the season should submit an application at hdsd.org/employment. Contact athletic director Jay Wood at jwood@hdsd.org with questions.
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