NHIAA Division II
Hanover
The Bears finished their season strong, dispatching Lebanon and Pelham earlier in the week to finish 13-4 and cruise into the playoffs on a two-game winning streak. The strong finish comes after an equally strong start, which saw Hanover open the year with six straight wins.
Sitting in the number three spot, Hanover seems poised to secure the third and final first-round bye of the 13-team field.
Lebanon
The Raiders, at 5-10, are hanging on for dear life in the 13th spot. After starting 0-4, Lebanon righted the ship, but as of late, the Raiders have stumbled, dropping five of their last six.
While a win might not be necessary to make the postseason, it could provide some breathing room, though that will be a tall task as the Raiders take on top-ranked Hollis-Brookline at home on Friday.
The NHIAA Division II playoffs are set to begin Wednesday.
NHIAA Division III
Mascoma
The Royals will miss the postseason after finishing 2-15 and 20th in the division. Mascoma, however, did end the season strong, winning two of three.
Newport
The Tigers will also miss the postseason. They are currently 1-14, which is tied for last, and their lone win came against Hinsdale earlier this month. Newport will look to end the season on a high note when it hosts Fall Mountain on Friday.
Stevens
After starting the season 2-4, the Cardinals have turned things around, winning four of their last six, and are 8-7, putting them in a tie for 11th. Stevens’ current spot in the standings gives them plenty of breathing room to make the 15-team tournament.
The Cardinals close the season Friday at Newfound.
The NHIAA Division III postseason is slated to start Wednesday.
VPA Division II
Hartford
Before closing out the regular season on Friday at home against Otter Valley, the Canes were riding a two-game losing streak and sat at 9-4, which was third in D-II.
Before this recent skid, Hartford won eight straight games after starting the season 1-2. The Canes have locked up a postseason spot, given that up to 16 teams can participate in the tournament, according to the VPA’s website.
The first round of the VPA Division II playoffs is set for Tuesday and Wednesday.
VPA Division III
Oxbow
The Olympians will head into the final game of the regular season having won one of their last five games. Currently in 11th at 3-8, Oxbow will look to end the regular season on a high note when it travels to Harwood on Saturday.
Thetford
The defending D-III champions have been outright dominant this season and are unbeaten at 13-0 heading into their final game of the season set for Saturday at North Country Union.
Not only have the Panthers defeated every opponent they have faced, but in the vast majority of contests, they have thrashed them. Nine of Thetford’s wins have come by 10 or more runs.
Sitting atop the division, the Panthers yet again look to be a championship contender.
White River Valley
The Wildcats are 8-5 and in seventh place as they prepare for their final regular-season game at Arlington Memorial on Friday.
White River Valley endured its longest losing streak in program history — four games — but since snapping that streak, it has won five of its last six, showing the rest of D-III why they were runners-up last season.
Windsor
The Yellow Jackets are winless this season at 0-13 and are last in the division. They will attempt to build momentum heading into the postseason and pick up their first win in the final game of the season, on Friday at Brattleboro.
Woodstock
The Wasps hold the No. 2 spot in the division at 11-2, having won six of their last seven contests. Woodstock has had win streaks of five and six this season, but is coming off a loss as its final regular season game on Friday against Green Mountain Union at home approaches.
Per the VPA’s website, up to 16 teams can compete in the postseason, and since there are 14 teams in D-III, all the Upper Valley squads should have a shot at the playoffs.
The first round of the VPA Division III playoffs is set for Tuesday and Wednesday.
