Lebanon Post 22 is set to start its postseason trek in the New Hampshire American Legion Baseball Senior Tournament on Friday at Holman Stadium in Nashua.
Lebanon secured the No. 2 seed in District A after finishing the regular season 10-7 and enters its first tournament game against the No. 3 seed in District B, Rochester, on a heater, having won seven of its last nine contests.
“I think part of it is it just takes a little time to mesh and figure out some roles,” said Post 22 coach Travis Pelletier of his team’s late-season success.
“I have 11 guys this year on the team — they all love baseball, they’re there every day, so it wasn’t hard for them to come together just because of their love for the game. So once we did come together, we started playing some good ball,” he added.
As for what his team’s biggest strength this season has been, Pelletier pointed to its resilience.
“We’ve been down in games; we’ve come back. We’ve had leads that we’ve blown and come back,” he said, adding that his squad has won three extra-innings games this season.
“They don’t quit. Whether we’re not having it offensively, we show up defensively, and on the mound or vice versa. … It’s a no-quit team; they’re resilient, and they show up expecting and looking forward to win every game.”
While Pelletier acknowledged everyone has contributed to the team’s success this season, there have been some prominent figures.
Lebanon’s bench boss described Boone Fahey, who had a stint at Thetford Academy before heading to Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., as his squad’s “go-to-guy” on the mound and indicated he has also produced at the plate.
Fahey has posted a 1.83 ERA and has a .164 batting average against him.
Nevin Marsh, a 2025 Stevens High graduate, has been a strong contributor behind the plate as a catcher and in the batters’ box, hitting .352
“Without him leading the pitching staff we’d be a little lost, so he’s stepped up in big ways,” Pelletier said.
Recently graduated Hanover High ballplayer Jorgen Drent has also been key in all phases of the game, whether that be in the No. 2 spot in the order batting .338, in the field at shortstop or throwing some innings in relief.
Heading into the double-elimination tournament on a two-game winning streak, both of which were over Keene Post 4 by scores of 11-5 on July 14 and 7-4 on July 16, Pelletier is feeling confident in his squad’s chances come postseason time.
“It’s a great group of guys, like I said; they love baseball, they’re playing well. Going in, (we’re) expecting to have a good turnout,” he said.
“But you have to play good baseball to win this tournament — it’s a grind. … Once you get here it’s going to take a lot to win it, but we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
First pitch for Friday’s contest at Holman is set for 1 p.m.
If Lebanon wins, its next game will be on Saturday at 7 p.m. against the winner of Keene and Nashua. If Lebanon loses, it will face the loser of Keene and Nashua at 1 p.m on Saturday.
For more information about the New Hampshire State Tournament and the full slate, visit https://www.newhampshireamericanlegionbaseball.com/baseball5Sr.html.
