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NASHUA, N.H. — The bats lagged, the gloves committed failed (nine errors) and baseball minds weren't sharp — on both sides with good reason.

A nine-day layoff between playoff games will do that to high school athletes.

SALEM — Traditionally, quarterfinal tourney games in New Hampshire are about the big bats — slugfests often fuel by second-tier pitching.

SALEM — Traditionally, quarterfinal tourney games in New Hampshire are about the big bats — slugfests often fuel by second-tier pitching.

Mike Downing delivered a two-run triple, and three batters later Joey DiPalma added a two-run double to spark a six-run third inning for Salem, leading the No. 2 Blue Devils to a 7-2 win over No. 15 Manchester Memorial in the first round of the Division 1 tournament.

Joe Lemenger drove in three runs and scored three more and Mike Downing was 3 for 4 with three RBIs as Salem topped Dover 14-9.

Dan Kinnon didn't allow any earned runs, holding Salem to just three hits over six innings while striking out 14 as Londonderry came back to upset the Blue Devils, 8-4. Kinnon added a homer, double and three RBIs in the victory, the Lancers' fourth in their last five games. Joe DiPalma got Salem off to a good start with a three-run homer in the first inning.

Josh Treff's homer in the first and and Joe Lemenager's three-run double in the second helped lead Salem past Nashua South 8-3.

Trevor Bouvier doubled to score Josh Treff and Joe Morin in the sixth for what proved to be the winning runs as Salem edged Winnacunnet 7-6.

Junior Evan Breen stepped up on the hill with a monster effort, slaying Keene on three hits as Salem toppled the Blackbirds, 4-1.

Junior Evan Breen stepped up on the hill with a monster effort, slaying Keene on three hits as Salem toppled the Blackbirds, 4-1.