FOOTBALL

Junior Pee Wees

Merrimack Cardinals open with big win over Saugus (Mass.)

The Merrimack Cardinals Junior Pee Wee team kicked off the season with a 26-0 victory over the Saugus (Mass.) Sachems. The Cardinals (1-0) played well as a team on offense, defense and special teams, and took control of the game from the opening kickoff.

On the first play from scrimmage, Jacob Myers darted along the right sideline for a 47-yard touchdown run. Patrick Yudkin added the conversion on a pass from Ryan Devanna to stake the Cards to a quick 7-0 lead. The Merrimack offense had barely gotten off the field when Nathan Kennedy recovered a fumble. Terrell Hicks broke off a 33-yard run to set up Myers’ second TD run of the day from 4 yards out.

After Saugus failed to gain a first down and turned the ball over on downs, Ben Eichman broke free for a 40-yard touchdown scamper. Eichman added a 61-yard TD run on Merrimack’s next possession. Brandon Myers scored on the conversion to cap a 26-point first half.

The swarming Cardinals defense held Saugus to three first downs and 43 net yards on the afternoon. Tristan Wood and Brandon Myers defended several passes. Several defensive linemen rotated in and out to keep the Sachems at bay, including Jay Lanigan, Robert Defelice, Justin Tevepaugh, Ryan Ivester, Jared Dyer, Brian Genet, Hunter Mack, Dennis Fisette and Caden Shvanda.

SWIMMING

Southern NH FINS tryouts approaching

Don’t hang up your goggles at the end of summer. Add some splash to your winter with the FINS swim team.

The Southern NH FINS offer a competitive swim program from September through March for children 6-18 years old.

Tryouts will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9-10:30 a.m. and Sunday, Sept. 18, from 9-10:30 a.m.

Arrive anytime between those times at the Boys and Girls Club of Nashua, 47 Grand Ave., Nashua.

To tryout, swimmers must be at least 6 years old and able to complete 50 yards of freestyle and backstroke. To sign up for tryouts, e-mail Stasia Dionne at SStani@AOL.com. For more information, visit the FINS website at www.snhfins.org.

BASEBALL

Diamond Devils, Knights holding tryouts Monday

The New Hampshire Diamond Devils and the New Hampshire Knights Baseball Clubs will hold tryouts for the 2012 baseball squads Monday.

Both clubs offer off-season training, complete uniforms (including jacket and helmet) and a spring and summer schedule that will not conflict with Recreation and local league play.

The U13 and U14 teams also offer a fall program.

Ages U10, U11 and U12 will tryout Monday at 6 p.m. and ages U13 and U14 will try out at 7 p.m.

All tryouts will be held at the Nashua Baseball Academy rain or shine at 265 Proctor Hill Rd. in Hollis. The age determination date is May 1, 2012.

Visit www.nashuabaseballacademy.com for details. Call 233-5587 or e-mail nashuabaseballacademy@comcast.net with questions.

NH Grizzlies need players

The New Hampshire Grizzlies have a few openings on their 2012 teams – the U13 team has open spots at all positions, while the U14s need a catcher.

For more info, e-mail nhgrizzlies@comcast.net, call 459-5704 or visit www.nhgrizzlies.com.