By Jason M. Patch
Sports Correspondent

Goffstown third baseman Ryan Beal throws a strike to first base to get the out after cleanly fielding a slow infield chopper during the first inning of the locals' eventual 3-0 tourney-opening win against Manchester Central. Goffstown's second contest against Concord-American had a different ending, a 7-4 extra-inning loss on July 2. (Marc Thaler Photo)

CONCORD - The Goffstown Little Leaguers have made it to the District I finals the last two seasons. Two years ago, the locals took the tougher route through the loser's bracket.

Following a 7-4 extra-inning defeat at the hands of Concord- American on Saturday, July 2, this year's journey is similar, as the boys will need to take the longer road one more time.

Goffstown, 1-1 in D-I action through Wednesday, July 6, has experienced do-or-die games over the last three seasons and manager Steve Bond is confident in this year's squad when it comes to overcoming adversity.

"We never give up and that is what we teach the kids," said Bond, who watched his squad defeat Manchester Central, 3- 0, in its tourney opener (see inset). "There is no quit in this team and we are going to come back. That is what we focus on. We've come out of the consolation bracket to play in the district finals as 10-year-olds and 11-year-olds. We plan on doing it again this year."

Both teams had several chances to take control of this contest, but some solid defensive play and clutch pitching prevented several potential big innings.

Goffstown broke through in the opening stanza as Jake Glauser's RBI single plated Ryan Beal with the game's first run.

Beal also received the starting nod on the hill and struck out nine in an impressive 3 2/3 innings of work. The hardthrowing righty was overpowering in the early stages, but tired in the fourth inning.

Glauser came on in relief of Beal and turned in a stellar performance in his own right.

After Concord-American took the lead with a pair of runs in the third inning, Goffstown battled back to tie the score in the home half of the frame.

Beal scored all the way from first base with a clutch two-out double off the bat of Glauser. Concord-American did some damage with two outs in the fourth inning, as it picked up a pair of runs to claim a 4-2 lead.

Goffstown did not go away quietly, however, as it tied the game up again with a pair of runs in the fifth.

Jay Bouchard reached on a throwing error and then came across on a Ryan Lange RBI triple down the left-field line. Beal then tied the score at 4-4 with a bloop single into right field, which plated the shortstop Lange.

Despite the comeback, Concord-American finally got to Glauser in the top of the seventh inning. The right hander was touched for three runs on a bases-clearing triple that was just out of the reach of hustling right-fielder Reece Easton.

"That's the way the ball bounces sometimes in Little League," explained Bond. "We have one of our best players in right field and the ball just slipped by him. All of a sudden we are down three runs when it could have been the end of the inning."

Lange and Glauser led the Goffstown offensive attack with a pair of hits, while Tyler Sharby, Bryan Yost and Beal contributed with hits of their own.

With the loss, Goffstown will face Lamprey River at Villa Augustina Fields in an elimination game scheduled for Thursday, July 7, at 6 p.m.