By Roger Brown
MaxPreps.com
Apparently, winning is contagious at Portsmouth High School this spring.
Six Portsmouth teams entered the week unbeaten and at the top of their respective league standings: baseball (9-0 in Class I), softball (8-0 in Class I), boys tennis (7-0 in Class I), boys lacrosse (7-0 in Division III), girls tennis (6-0 in Class I) and girls lacrosse (6-0 in Division III).
The girls lacrosse team, which went undefeated en route to the Division III championship last year, has outscored its opponents 94-28 this season. The program owns a 25-game winning streak.
"They aren't focusing on last year at all," Portsmouth coach Cindy Fitzgerald said. "They are all driven. They want to make it to the championship this year.
"There seems to be a lot of positive energy in the school. Portsmouth has a lot of pride right now."
The girls tennis team has won all but four games this season, the boys tennis team hasn't played a match closer than its 6-3 triumph over St. Thomas, the baseball team has won five of its nine games by shutout, and the softball team, which has one senior on its roster, has held its eight opponents to a total of 11 runs.
"This is great for Portsmouth, but the season is young," Portsmouth boys tennis coach Dana Levenson said. "There's a long way to go."
Perhaps no Portsmouth team is hungrier for a state title than the boys lacrosse team, which was upset by Merrimack Valley in last year's Division III championship game. The school's baseball and softball teams were each seeded No. 1 for their respective Class I tournament last spring, but both teams lost in the quarterfinals.
"It's great to be in this position, but there's really only one win we're looking for," Portsmouth softball coach Jim Knowles said. "That win comes at the end of the year."
Boys Lacrosse: BG Remains Undefeated
The number of unbeaten lacrosse teams in the state was reduced by one when Bishop Guertin knocked off Londonderry, 20-4, Friday.
Jim McInnis and Jack Kryzston each scored three goals for BG, which received eight saves from goalkeeper Brent Lyskawa.
The victory improved BG's Division I record to 8-0. Londonderry dropped to 7-1.
The Cardinals are one of five unbeaten teams in the state, joining Pinkerton (6-0 in Division I), Portsmouth (7-0 in Division III), Monadnock (5-0 in Division III) and Kingswood (1-0 in Division III). Kingswood's first three games were postponed because of unplayable field conditions.
Softball: Norman, Geekie Reach Milestones
Two senior pitchers, Somersworth's Kim Norman and Newmarket's Erin Geekie, each recorded the 500th strikeout of their career this month. Geekie accomplished the feat April 23 against Somersworth.
Norman's sister, Kim, also passed the 500-strikeout mark during her career at Somersworth. Geekie grew up watching former Newmarket standout Allison Greene, who recorded her 500th strikeout in 2002. Greene led Newmarket to the Class M championship that year.
Ashley Pinkham, who played at Kingswood Regional, holds the state record for career strikeouts with 843.
