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Londonderry Looking To Defend State Title

LONDONDERRY, N.H. - A long-running tradition of success at Londonderry under head coach Brent Demas took a break in the action with the cancellation of the 2020 season. It was a difficult thing to see for the veteran mentor.

“We were returning a vast majority of the state title team led by Nolan Lincoln and Luke Marsh and we were very optimistic on our chances of repeating,” reflected Demas, who has led the Londonderry program since 2003 with 251 wins in that time, including four state titles and one runner-up finish. There is even more that stands out to Demas.

“We have also sent well over 100 baseball players to play college baseball, perhaps the greatest accomplishment,” Demas noted.

Among those are Lincoln, the 2019 ace pitcher who threw a shutout in a 1-0 win over Bedford in the 2019 state title game, Lincoln is now at EConn, while Luke Marsh, an outfielder, is currently at Wheaton, and Sean Cavanaugh, a first baseman, is now with Lyndon State.

Still more from the Londonderry program are future college players in current seniors Owen MacDonnell, Brandon Fish and Zac Rheault. MacDonnell, a Sacred Heart commit, is the 11th-rated senior left-handed pitcher in New England who will also play first base. Fish, who led the 2019 team in hits, is a senior shortstop/pitcher committed to Hartford while Rheault is a 2021 catcher going to Keene State.

Ryan Killelea is another senior returnee for Londonderry, a pitcher and third baseman.

“Our pitching is among the top in the division, our hitting is not far behind, and our defense is looking like it is trending in the right direction,” Demas said about this year’s squad.

Newcomers expected to make big contributions include Zach Smith, Jack Marshall and Gavin Parent. Smith, the 89th-rated senior outfielder in New England, will play right field and fill the role of number three pitcher. Marshall, a junior, will play middle infield, pitch and bat leadoff, while Parent is penciled in to play center field.

“Our experience is a great asset,” Demas related. “Different things and different situations don’t rattle the boys and that helps us stay focused on our jobs.”

The long-time head coach believes he knows what the difference will be if success is to take place this spring.

“Getting the defense up to par with the rest of our game will be the key,” Dumas noted. “It is good right now, but it can be better.” 

That could be the difference in making another run to winning state.

“The pitching around D1 this year is very good,” Demas concluded. “It will be a difficult trek through the playoffs with all the quality arms. I expect to be competitive this year and focus on defending our title.”

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