GILFORD — The summer softball circuit gets underway today for the Nor'Easter Softball Club as area coaches and players shift gears from school ball to summer ball in preparation for this weekend's NH-ASA State Tournament.

The Nor'Easter 18U's open today at 4 p.m. at Roger Allen Park in Rochester against the Seacoast Hurricanes, while the 16U's open at 4 p.m. at Cawley Middle School in Hooksett against the Hudson Heat Gold.

The Nor'Easter 14U's first game will be Saturday morning at 8 a.m. at St. Anthony's School in Manchester against the winner of today's matchup between the Northeast Invasion and Firecracker Fury.

The state tournament is a double-elimination tournament with a three game guarantee.

The weekend marks the beginning of six to seven consecutive weekends of softball for the Nor'Easter Softball Club that culminates with the Nor'Easter Classic on the weekend of July 24-26.

NH-ASA moved the state tournament to Father's Day Weekend this year, one week earlier than in year's past. The move posed a challenge to Nor'Easter coaches whose teams will be playing in a major tournament for the first time with limited practices and no prior game experience.

Second-year 18U Coach Tom Carr doesn't know what to expect this weekend. With only five teams in the 18U bracket, Carr thinks the division will be up for grabs. The 18U pitching staff looks strong with both collegiate and high school experience. Franklin standout and Southern NH University pitcher Amanda Barton will join Keene State College pitcher Ashley Clark (Exeter) and Laconia High School's Kayla Carignan and Gilford High School's Lindsey Carr from the pitching circle.

School and graduation conflicts have made it tough for Carr to figure out where players will be positioned defensively. "We'll have a few players playing in spots they're not familiar with this weekend," Carr added.

Amanda Barton, a former standout at Franklin High School, will be a key pitcher for the Nor'Easter Softball Club U18 squad this summer. (Alan MacRae/for the Citizen)

"The team is rich with athletic talent and should adapt quickly to new positions on the field."

The roster includes Lydia Bartlett, Cora Crafts, Danielle Dean, Jenna Lembo, Gilford; Megan Bird, Caitlyn Zelonis, Laconia; Caitlin Clary (Assumption College), Belmont; and Tiff Douillette, Merrimack Valley.

Laconia High School varsity coach Darci Blake will be at the helm of this year's 16U squad after coaching the 14U's for a number of years. The squad only has two returning players.

Like Carr, Blake has realistic hopes for the weekend and sees pitching as one of the team's strengths. Blake will look to Marrissa Kotkowski (Winnacunnet HS), Whitney Roberts, (Kennett HS), Courtney Decosta (Plymouth) and Alicia Barney (Plymouth) to lead the team from the mound.

"I'm excited by what I've seen in our limited practice sessions so far," said Blake who still hasn't had a practice with her entire team.

The 16U roster also includes Kaleigh Richardson (Inter-Lakes); Faye Roberts (Kennett); McKenna Caldwell, Mikayla Blake, Skyla Farquharson, Jenna Marchione (Laconia); and Missy Calani, and Kirstie Clark (Exeter).

Seth Gilman joins the Nor'Easter Softball Coaching Staff and will head the 14U program. Gilman was Gilford High School's assistant softball coach this year.

Gilman has squeezed in four practices over the last week and has six pitchers to take the team deep in tournaments this summer. The staff includes Sydney Strout and Molly Dietrich (Gilford); Kim Allen (Belmont); Kasie Tucker (Bow); Jessica Anderson (Franklin); and Samantha Batchelder (Laconia).

Most of the 14U squad has plenty of experience in the infield and one of Gilman's tasks this week was to see whom he would move to the outfield. The rest of the roster includes Abigail Harris (Gilford); Claire Spaulding and Samantha Wilson (Belmont); Casey Curley (Bow); and Abbie Roy (Winnisquam).

More information about the Nor'Easters Softball Club including the Nor'Easter Classic can be found at www.eteamz.com/noreastersoftball.