Local roundup: Thetford baseball walks off against Hazen, literally

THETFORD — Mason Fahey drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth inning to force in the winning run as the Thetford Academy baseball team outlasted Hazen, the first-place team in the VPA Division III standings, in a 5-4 thriller on Tuesday afternoon.

The Panthers (9-3), state runners-up a season ago, jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first but did not put another runner on base until the sixth. The Wildcats scored twice each in the third and fourth to take the lead against freshman Boone Fahey, Mason’s younger brother, before freshman Zander Clark and sophomore Justin Robinson settled things down in relief.

Boone Fahey made up for the runs he allowed by hitting his first high school home run in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game, breaking a string of 15 straight Thetford batters retired. Both teams left two runners on base in the seventh before the Panthers won it in the eighth.

“We have a lot of confidence moving forward,” Thetford head coach Philip Chaput said. “A game against the No. 1 seed, that’s a big win for us.”

The Panthers conclude the regular season on Thursday at U-32.

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The Hurricanes (6-7) walked off with a wild win to upset the Terriers (11-4).

Trenton Bird provided the spark to Hartford’s game-winning rally in the home half of the seventh inning. Bird laid down a bunt single and advanced all the way to third on a throwing error. A squeeze play called by coach Bill Vielleux then almost ended in disaster when the bunt attempt failed — but Bird was able to scamper back to third base safely. 

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again: The next pitch saw another squeeze attempt and, again, the bunt failed. Bird was caught in a rundown this time, but the Terriers’ catcher then threw over the head of the third baseman, allowing Bird to jet home with the game-winning run.

Bellows Falls scored three runs early before Hartford pitcher Matt Hayes (13 strikeouts in a complete game three-hitter) buckled down. The Canes scored once in the fifth and then twice in the sixth to tie it up on back-to-back RBI hits by Harry Gaudet (a double) and Hayes.

Hartford now exhales and will visit Otter Valley on Thursday.

SoftballHartford 24, Woodstock 10 (6)

WOODSTOCK — The Canes (8-5) were offensively opportunistic to take down the Wasps.

Several walks, aggressive baserunning and some timely hits had the Hartford barrage on point from the start. Madison Willey scored a team-high five runs and had three hits for the Hurricanes. Hailie DeFabiis walked three times, had two hits and scored four runs. Becca Keelty had a double, walked twice and scored three runs.

Marina Grassi and Miranda Rogers split duty in the circle for Hartford, which hosts Otter Valley on Thursday. Woodstock is at Twin Valley on Friday.

Girls LacrosseHanover 25, Winnacunnet 7

HANOVER — Kali McDonnell had six goals to lead a balanced attack to power the Bears (10-3) over Winnacunnet.

Caroline Adams had five goals, two assists and 11 draw controls for Hanover. Mia Madden added two assists and five draw controls. Lia Naughton scored four times and had two assists.

Maeve Lee had three goals and an assist. Sadie Higgins scored twice and had six draw controls. Emily Perras, Danielle Rudd, Lauren Eiler, Maggie Higgins and Ashley Cotter each had a goal.

The win makes it seven in a row for Hanover, which plays at Memorial-West on Friday.

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The Hurricanes (12-0) stayed perfect with an easy win over the Highlanders.

Elliot Rupp scored five goals for Hartford and notched her 100th career point, while Caroline Hamilton and Sophie Howe each recorded a hat trick. Chloe Jensen, Beth Dobrich, Elsie Davis and Maddie Barwood had two goals apiece. The Canes led, 15-5, at halftime and coasted from there.

Rupp, Barwood and Hamilton also each had two assists. Hartford is at Spaulding on Friday afternoon.