Baseball

Baseball

Nick Costa and Ben Jasina

Ever since June 14th, Delta Dental Stadium has stood empty while teams across the state regroup, attempting to do the job only Exeter could finish last year. The Blue Hawks were a senior-heavy powerhouse that reigned supreme, eventually claiming the championship over their cross-town rival, Winnacunnet. Now that nine seniors have graduated, many people are counting the Blue Hawks out because of all the talent they lost. However, the players on the team believe they are much better than people give them credit for. They are ready to prove the doubters wrong and turn Exeter baseball into a true New Hampshire dynasty.

This year's team is going to look a lot different than last year's championship team, but the team and its coaches are ready to return to the top. When talking to Bluehawks coach Bruce Joyce we asked how he was going to keep this year’s team still hungry and focused on this year and not rest over last year: “Our returning guys are motivated to get back to the post-season and make another run at the title, so I don't get the sense that we will "rest" on anything. We just need to remember that nothing is automatic...it's a totally different year with a different group of players and, collectively, we'll have to put our own stamp on this season.” We also asked him how he can make his team consistently peak in June, unlike some teams that peak way too early: “You want to be playing your best going into the tournament, so working to improve all areas of our game as the season goes on is key. If things go right and if we stay healthy, we would expect to be at our best at the end of the regular season. The key is to continue to "stay hungry" and look for ways to improve...individually and as a team... and never settle or get too comfortable because there's always something to work on.”

Knowing that the team is going to be completely flipped this year, we took a look at a few players who we think could have a big role this year. First, John Bakker, who is one of the two returning starters. Bakker is a key piece of the Exeter lineup because of his proven ability to deliver in high-pressure postseason moments, highlighted by his three-hit performance in last year's quarterfinals. As a versatile two-way player, he provides the team with essential middle-infield defense and strong right-handed pitching depth, both of which are critical for a long tournament run. His consistency as both a run producer and a defensive anchor makes him a key leader as the Blue Hawks attempt to defend their Division I state title in 2026. 

Another player we think could have a big season is Raymond Plante. Plante is a multi-sport athlete who had a strong regular season in which he batted an impressive .429 with the at-bats he got. His background as a three-sport star in football, basketball, and baseball gives him the physical toughness and high sports IQ necessary to lead the team through high-pressure Division I matchups. Whether he is playing Right field, shortstop, or coming on to pitch, his versatility allows the Blue Hawks to remain defensively sound while keeping a strong bat in the order.

There are two games that are very key for the Bluehawks this season: First a rematch of last year's championship, the Hawks play @ Winnacunent on May 8th. This matchup serves as a massive rematch of the 2025 NHIAA Division I State Championship, where #5 Exeter beat #10 Winnacunnet 3-1 to claim their first title since the days of Cody Morrisette. The game features a pitching showdown between Exeter's reigning championship hero, Nolan Engler, and a deep Winnacunnet rotation hungry for redemption on their home field. As the power in New Hampshire baseball shifts toward the Seacoast, this early-season meeting will likely give us a good look at the top seed in the standings and set the tone for the 2026 playoffs. The second big game that we would circle is on May 22nd, at home against Dover. This game serves as a major mental hurdle for Exeter, as they were one of the few teams to hand the reigning champions a loss during the 2025 regular season. This matchup is a critical game that often determines final playoff seeding and tests whether Exeter’s elite pitching can handle Dover's disciplined hitting. While the Winnacunnet game is about “the rematch” and history, the Dover clash is about Exeter proving they can overcome the one opponent that disrupted their rhythm last year. 

Although many people believe Exeter will struggle after losing nine talented seniors, the returning players are determined to prove that the team is still a powerhouse. By relying on the playoff experience of John Bakker and the incredible athleticism of Raymond Plante, the Blue Hawks have the potential to overcome their doubters and stay at the top of the standings. The upcoming games against Winnacunnet and Dover will be the ultimate test to see if this new group can handle the pressure and continue the school's winning tradition. If the team follows Coach Joyce's advice to stay hungry and keep improving, they have a great chance to win another championship and start a true baseball dynasty.