The Londonderry High School Baseball team began its quest for it second consecutive Division I title last week, but suffered a season opening loss on the seacoast to Winnacunnet, followed by a overwhelming victory in their home opener against Central-West.
Before getting started in the regular season, the Lancers were able to get three strong wins and a tie during their pre-season games, but struggled against the Warriors strong pitcher, falling 3-1 in Hampton on Tuesday, April 9.
Londonderry’s starting pitcher, Brady Gillis, suffered the loss, giving up three runs and seven hits over four and one-third innings.
Joey Cafaro came in as the reliever, pitching one and two-third innings, and giving up just one hit and striking out one.
Londonderry’s only run in the game was scored by Jayden Hamilton, crossing the plate in the third inning, on a balk by the WHS pitcher.
A total of 13 LHS batters were struck out by the Warriors tough senior pitcher, Jones Vicinos.
The Londonderry team bounced right back in its home opener on Wednesday, April 10, outscoring the Central-West Knights 9-2.
Devin Boles earned the win, pitching four innings, giving up two hits, and two runs, while striking out eight Knights and walking four.
Ryan Williams came in for three innings as the reliever, sitting down six batters on Ks, walking one and didn’t allow a hit.
The Lancers were able to accrue 10 hits in the game, seven off the starter and another three versus the Knights reliever.
Central-West took the lead early, after a double and a sacrifice, but Londonderry quickly took the lead in the bottom of the second, starting with three singles and a double to score two. A wild pitch and a fielders choice scored two more, making it 4-1.
In that inning, Ty Miles, Green, and Brody Labbe singled, followed by Jaylen Stott who hit the double to left field.
Londonderry had four more batters cross the plate in the third inning, to make the game 8-2.
The final Lancers run came off the bat of Owen Carey, who hit a inside the park homerun to right field to lead off the sixth inning.
A total of 10 Londonderry batters had hits in the game, Jet Jones, Mason Duvall, and Stott had doubles and Carey had the only homerun.
The Lancers were scheduled for three games this week, starting on Monday, at home against Exeter, followed by road games against Timberlane and Trinity on Wednesday and Friday.