Exeter High School’s baseball squad delivered a commanding performance in the opening round of the Division I tournament, blanking Concord 2-0 thanks to a stellar outing from senior pitcher Ethan Battles. The commit to the University of Maine threw six shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three batters.
The defense behind Battles was equally polished, turning in a flawless game with no errors and a series of key plays that kept the opposition at bay. The outfield duo of Will Tobin and Nolan Engler, affectionately dubbed the “No Fly Zone,” patrolled the grass with precision, while shortstop Andrew Martin contributed two hits.
A Pitcher's Masterclass
Relief pitcher Brennan Schimoler closed out the seventh inning without allowing a run, sealing the victory and preserving the shutout. Coach Bruce Joyce praised the collective effort, highlighting the team’s defensive discipline and Battles’ poise on the mound.
Looking ahead, Exeter will host Portsmouth in a Saturday quarterfinal, a rematch that carries extra weight after the team’s 5-1 win over the Patriots earlier in the season. The upcoming clash promises another test of the “No Fly Zone” and the pitching staff as they aim to advance deeper into the tournament.