There is no question that the Londonderry Lightning softball organization continues to field some of the most exciting and competitively-successful contingents in New Hampshire youth softball.
The Lightning had its 12-U squad qualify for the Babe Ruth district championships recently with a fine second-place finish at the state championships in Londonderry. And during that major event, the local organization made state history by having its 10-U Blue and Red crews qualify to play against each other for the state crown. The Blue squad snagged the title with a 6-1 win, but the Lightning was assured of claiming both the first and runner-up slots with both of their contingents performing so well at states.
In 12-U play, the Lightning placed an excellent second overall at the district tourney in Litchfield the weekend prior to the state tourney to make it to states. And once there – on their home diamonds during the weekend of July 6 – the locals made it to the title game but were bested by the Litchfield Blast squad. However, the 12-U crew finished as the runner-up, and qualified for the regional championships in New Milford, Ct.
The local girls outscored their opponents by a lopsided 55-9 tally over five games. Sam Daniels and Sarah Weeks combined strong pitching efforts behind a potent offense led by Madison Saucier, Riley Burns, and Sarah Peckham.
The 12-U contingent’s full roster also includes Kaitlyn McHugh, Katie Nolan, Avery Dyer, Emma Houston, Brielle Foote, Emily Goldberg, Reiley Devall, and Sarah Peckham. Head coach Brendan Burns is ably assisted by Keith McHugh and Doug Peckham.
In 10-U competition at the district championships, the Londonderry Blue crew had placed second and the Red squad fourth out of nine entries from Southern New Hampshire as both qualified for states.
And the two local squads performed a first in New Hampshire Babe Ruth softball play by both qualifying to play in the championship contest. Never before had two teams from the same town faced off for the NH crown.
“Our 10-U Red team beat previously unbeaten Windham in pool play, knocking them into the loser’s bracket before our 10-U Blue team beat Windham again in the semifinals to send them home,” said 12-U coach Brendan Burns. “10-U Red beat a very tough Merrimack squad to set up the all-Londonderry showdown.”
Both local entries got solid pitching efforts, with Sara Daniels helming the 10-U Blue efforts and Elisabeth Kearney leading the Red effort on the way to that huge championship-level battle. Kearney also excelled at the plate for the latter crew, bashing a big home run in her team’s quarterfinal victory.
“The championship game featured big hits from Blue’s Emma Saucier and Vivien Belanger, while Regan Burns turned in a defensive gem at second base. Blue took home the title behind Sara Daniels’ pitching and great defense from Caelynn Blattenberger, Jennifer Raza, and Grace Nutter,” said coach Burns.
The title-winning Blue crew includes head coach Brian Daniels and his assistants Matt Leblanc, Dave Merhib, and Chris Raza, and players Sienna Schulz, Ginny Flaherty, Allyson Burgess, Hailey Conway, Natalie Merhib, Maeve Campbell, Isabel Lesieur, Jennifer Raza, Sara Daniels, Kaylee Leblanc, Caelynn Blattenberger, and Grace Nutter.
The runner-up Lightning Red contingent was made up of head coach Mike Saucier and his committed and dedicated assistants Mike Campo, Tara Crowley, Catherine Kearney, and Nissa Belanger. The group of fine players included Emma Saucier, Regan Burns, Shannon Crowley, Vivien Belanger, Elisabeth Kearney, Annie Williams, Riley Campo, Caileigh Aguiar, Makenzie Daneau, and Addison Browning.