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| By Steve Jusseaume, Posted 06-08-2010 | ||
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The semifinals in this spring's NHIAA baseball tourney are set for this Tuesday and Wednesday, and some compelling match-ups are on the menu. 2009 Class L champion Keene remains in the mix in the state's top division, and Class I Portsmouth will try to extend its 61-game winning streak when it meets Con Val.
In Class S, Pittsburg, with the Chase brothers and a strong supporting cast, is looking at a championship game berth and a second state title in two years.
The following is a quick look at the games:
Class L
(1) Nashua North vs. (4) Salem
The coverage of Salem High school is brought to you by T-Bones and Cactus Jacks
This interesting contest features two southern NH teams that know each other well.
#1 seed Nashua North defeated #16 Manchester Central 8-5 last week and #9 Spaulding on Saturday to reach the semis. The best team in the regular season with an 18-3 record, North has won 15 straight, including the playoffs.
Saturday North defeated Spaulding 3-2. North's win over Central in Thursday's first round returned a favor; Central defeated North in last year's first round.
Salem, meanwhile, defeated #13 Exeter in a pitcher's duel Thursday, 2-1, then took care of Timberlane, the #12 seed, Saturday 7-5 to reach Class L's Final Four. Both clubs have a balance of offense and defense, and a mix of youth and experience. They met once this year; Salem beat North during the regular season, 8-5, on April 19.
(3) Londonderry vs. (7) Keene
Defending Class L champion Keene will meet Londonderry in one of two division 1 semifinal games at Holman Stadium on Tuesday.
Keene defeated Dover 6-4 Thursday then took down Pinkerton, 20-3, two days later. Pinkerton had surprised Goffstown 5-3, a pre-season pick by some observers, in the first round last week, but was no match for the Broncos on Saturday.
Londonderry, on the other hand, defeated, beat Concord (6-3), then Alvirne (13-3) on Saturday to reach the semifinals.
Londonderry put Alvirne away with a seven-run fifth. C.J. Flanders led the assault with a two-run homer, and Jeff Parker drove in two with a single in the inning. The Lancers' Kasey Corollo struck out seven of the first 10 Alvirne batters he faced.
This week's Londonderry/Keene match-up (4 p.m.) pits two teams that met last year in the tournament semifinals; Keene beat the Lancers 2-1 in that game.