It’s been a long time coming, but the Londonderry High School softball team was finally able to realize its dream of a state championship over the weekend, beating Pinkerton Academy and Bishop Guertin to solidify that goal.












Head coach, David Johnson, and his team had every reason to celebrate, as they were able to do what so many other very good Lancer teams have never been able to accomplish over 39 years.
The Londonderry squad really put an exclamation point on their 20-2 season, beating the B.G. Cardinals 12-0 in five innings for the Division I title on Saturday night, June 8, at Plymouth State University.
The Lady Cardinals made it to the finals as the number eleven seed, beating the number two seeded Winnacunnet 7-2 in the semi-finals.
It was a complete team effort in the win, with sophomore Elizabeth Kearney and senior Olivia Cutuli combining efforts in the circle on a two-hitter, while striking out eight. Kearney threw for four innings, getting the win and striking out seven batters, with just one hit.
Londonderry fielding was also outstanding, with just one inconsequential error committed in the game by LHS.
Freshman Addie Browning went 4-4 at the plate and tallied three RBIs in the victory and Ginny Flaherty had two hits, including a triple in the bottom of the fifth to drive in the final run of the game.
As pointed out by coach Johnson, it’s been 39-years in the waiting and a lot of very good teams have come up short in achieving the title.
Johnson, said after the game, “This is a great group of players,” and with just two seniors leaving, “We’re going to be even stronger next year.”
In the four-years Johnson has been head coach, he’s seen a lot of good players and he noted the strength of his two pitchers.
“My sophomore pitcher, Kearney is the best pitcher in the state. I was very fortunate to have two very good pitchers.”
He added that captains, Cutuli and catcher Zoey Nelson, were “the two best captains he’s ever had.”
Cutuli and Kearney were both named as All-State First Teamers and Ginny Flaherty made Second Team.
Cutuli was ecstatic after the state title win and gave credit to the team and the coaches. “The win is great and this team was great, they worked so hard for it.” She thanked her assistant coach. “I have to give a shout out to our assistant coach, Ronni Heard, who told the team we can’t stop working hard until we get to the graduation platform.”
Cutuli will be headed to UMass Amherst next year, where she will continue to play softball.
Getting into the finals was no easy task for the Lancers, narrowly beating Pinkerton 2-1, in the final inning, four-days earlier.
Both pitchers were outstanding in that game, Kearney had 16 strikeouts and two hits with a walk, while Julia Caruso tallied 13 Ks and walked four with two hits.
Sophomore Vivien Belanger hit a game-winning single to left field in the seventh inning to break the 1-1 tie.