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Windham wins first-ever game

The future of Windham's nascent baseball program is in its talented freshmen class, and a couple of those first-year players made an impact in its first-ever varsity victory.

Starter Adam Dolan threw five innings of one-hit, shutout ball with 10 strikeouts until he hit his pitch count limit. Classmate Jeff Peterson worked the final two frames without yielding a hit as the Jaguars defeated Kearsarge, 3-1.

"Adam had his fastball, change and curve going and he was locating them well," Windham head coach Derek Lee said. "His arm action was the same so it was hard for them to pick up his change and curve.

"It's definitely fitting that two freshmen pitchers got us our first win as a program," Lee said. "Ultimately, they're the ones that will shape our team. We had three freshmen starting today and two of them pitched."

A pair of sophomores, Zach Sprague and Max Masse, did the offensive damage. Sprague's second-inning single brought home Jimmy Madigan while hustle and savvy baserunning turned defensive miscues into two more runs. Masse's infield grounder plated freshman Jeff Peterson, who had doubled, for a key insurance score in the third inning.

The lone run from Kearsarge (now 5-5) came on an infield out in the seventh inning.

Windham (1-9) almost suffered a crucial loss as sophomore catcher Joe Lorenz suffered a jaw injury due to an errant bunt in pregame batting practice. Having trouble opening his mouth, Lorenz decided to play and provided the valuable defense Windham depends on.

"With him in there, he gives a good target, is a very good defensive catcher and helps out our pitchers," Lee said. "He's a tough guy — he's Windham's starting quarterback — and he wanted to play Joe really stepped up for us.

"We've been progressing as a team," Lee concluded. "We went up against one of the top teams in Division 2, Souhegan, and its ace pitcher and just lost, 7-4, and we lost to John Stark with the bases loaded in the seventh. Our freshmen showed no fear (yesterday) and you could tell the energy was there. This first win feels very good."