It’s not a bright idea to face off with the Londonderry High softball squad right now. Nor has it been for more than a month.
Lancers’ coach Wayne MacDougall has seen his talented and determined charges – who are seeking their program’s very first state championship this spring – win every single contest they’ve played since way back on April 13. The locals’ lone loss came in a 6-2 decision to Winnacunnet of Hampton that day, and the LHS contingent then ripped off 14 consecutive victories coming into this week.
Consecutive victories numbers 13 and 14 – which made the Lady Lancers a Division I best 15-1 overall – came against Manchester Central and Dover last week.
Londonderry got another stellar pitching performance from senior Ila Brown in a 2-0 edging of Manchester Central in the Queen City last Wednesday, May 16. It was the local squad’s fifth shutout of the season.
“Central played us tough, but honestly we gain more out of a 2-0 game than a blowout,” said MacDougall. “Ila was really the difference, pitching a five-hitter and striking out 13.”
Brown’s fellow senior standout Loey Misiaszek powered her team’s offense by smacking three hits in four trips to the plate, and she drove in both of the Lady Lancers’ runs. Gia Komst and Miranda Galan each contributed two hits to the cause.
The Lancers were at home against Dover the next afternoon, and they were embroiled in another tight game with that opponent before the hosts busted things wide open late.
“Dover also played us tough, and we were leading by only two at 5-3 going into the sixth when we plated five more,” said MacDougall. “Ila again came up big, pitching a four-hitter and striking out 11.”
Brown contributed in a big way to the offense, lacing three hits. Emily Nelson contributed three hits and drove in two runs, Misiaszek and Alivia Proulx each had two hits and drove in two teammates, and Cassidy Raza and Nina Perry were each good for two hits as well.
Then this past Monday the locals busied themselves with looking for their 15th straight win against a visiting Keene crew which came in at a very solid 11-6.
The Lancer juggernaut remained unbeatable by bashing the Blackbirds by a lopsided, 10-1 count.