The New Hampshire American Legion state baseball tournament delivered two dramatic victories on Tuesday, as Exeter Post 32 edged Keene 6-4 in a seventh‑inning rally and Rochester Post 7 cruised past Laconia 15-1 in five innings.
Playoff Outlook
Both wins propel Exeter and Rochester into a head‑to‑head showdown, with the victor advancing to meet either Bedford or Nashua for the championship.
Rochester head coach Nate Locke praised his squad’s preparation, saying the team is primed to capitalize on its early‑game firepower.
Exeter’s comeback was anchored by timely hits from Collin McGovern, Ben Wissler and Cam Morrill, while brothers Brady McGovern and Collin each contributed two RBIs.
Nate Edin earned the win for Exeter, limiting Keene to a single hit over the final two innings.
Rochester’s offense exploded early, scoring seven runs in the first and third innings, a surge led by Garrett Truax, who finished with two hits and three RBIs.
The pitching staff for Rochester combined for five hits and just one earned run, with Keegan Daly and Evan Trepanier sharing duties on the mound.
Keene and Laconia saw their seasons end, leaving the remaining contenders to battle for the final spot.
The upcoming matchup promises a test of strategy and resilience as the two posts vie for a place in the championship game.