Rochester Post 7 has earned the top seed in the New Hampshire American Legion Junior Baseball State Tournament, which kicks off on July 24. The team finished the regular season with a 16‑1 record, the lone blemish coming at the hands of Salem on July 10.
A Season Built on Resilience
Coach Nate Drapeau praised the squad’s work ethic and tenacity, noting that the players have consistently risen to every challenge. “Their hard work and resilience throughout the season have been evident in every game,” Drapeau said.
The team opened the year with five straight victories, highlighted by doubleheader sweeps of Londonderry and Exeter and a single‑game win over Dover. A decisive sweep of Salem on July 1 pushed their record to 7‑0 before Salem proved to be a formidable opponent.
Path to the Championship
Rochester will host the winner of a best‑of‑three series between Newmarket and Merrimack Navy on July 28 at Spaulding High School. The victor of that matchup will then meet the Post 7 squad in the state championship series, scheduled to begin on July 30 at Gill Stadium in Manchester.
Both finalists in the championship series earn a spot in the Northeast Regional Tournament slated for August 7‑9, adding extra stakes to every pitch down the stretch.
Key Players and Community Impact
The roster features standout talents such as Daniel Altemose, Brady Angell, Brandon Bilodeau, Samuel Brandt, Gabriel Cuevas, Benjamin Eidson, Nolan Ganley, Conor Hogan, Brayden Hubbard, Logan LaCoss, Joshua LaRochelle, Christopher Sherman, Easton Truax, Lucas Uraskevich and Bailintyn White. Their collective effort has turned Post 7 into a community focal point, drawing support from across the state.
A dramatic comeback against Salem illustrated the team’s grit: after trailing 9‑4, Rochester scored six unanswered runs to seize a pivotal win, underscoring the belief that any game can be turned around with focus and perseverance.