New Hampshire Hardball

Londonderry 6, Portsmouth 3

NASHUA – Collin Philcrantz may have been the best player on the Holman Stadium field Wednesday afternoon. He was certainly a big reason the Londonderry High School baseball team extended its season with a 6-3 victory over Portsmouth in the Division I semifinals.

Philcrantz pitched six scoreless innings before tiring on a hot day. He limited Portsmouth to three hits before he was pulled after allowing three consecutive hits at the start of the seventh. Philcrantz struck out five in six-plus innings.

“Collin goes out and deals on the mound pretty much every week,” Londonderry shortstop Jaylen Stott said. “He’s been dominating all year. Good to see him do that in his last start.”

Sixth-seeded Londonderry (17-6) scored two runs in the first, two in the second and two in the fourth before Portsmouth rallied for three runs in its final at-bat.

Londonderry dropped a 10-9 decision to Portsmouth in the regular season despite leading 9-2 in the sixth.

“The way we lost to them the first time we knew not to let up,” Londonderry coach Brent Demas said. “We knew we couldn’t give them an early lead. They get a lead, they get confidence. That’s how young teams work.”

Fifteenth-seeded Portsmouth finished its season with a 9-13 record. The Clippers, who start four freshmen, lost eight of their first nine games this season.

“On a day where you have to play your best, we didn’t play our best,” Portsmouth coach Tim Hopley said. “We didn’t pitch our best, we didn’t defend our best, we didn’t swing it our best. That’s what it takes. Anything less than that you end up with tears and watching the other team celebrate.

“Philcrantz was really good. He has that bulldog mentality. We had his attention, he locked in and just lost a little energy at the end I’m sure.”

The Lancers scored all of their runs against Portsmouth starter Zavier Lampert, who exited the mound with one out in the fourth.

Stott and Connor Loughlin each had three hits for Londonderry, which will face top-seeded Trinity  in Saturday’s Division I championship game at Delta Dental Stadium. 

Stott handed Londonderry a 1-0 lead when he went from first to third on a Caden Jordan single and took home on an outfield error. Jordan made it 2-0 when he scored from third on Carter Washington’s sacrifice bunt.

Jordan drove in Monohan and Sam Iorio with a two-out single to make it 4-0 in the third, and Jace Ruggerio drove in Stott with a single in the fourth to extend the lead to 5-0. Jordan scored Londonderry’s final run while Ruggierio was caught in a rundown.

Portsmouth scored three runs in the seventh – all charged to Philcrantz – but Cam O’Donnell replaced Philcrantz on the mound after each of the first three batters singled and prevented further damage.

“Cinderella no more,” Stott said. “It was a great day. Now we’re ready for Saturday.”

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