Led by a Cody Rocheleau and Travis Hol­brook home runs, Nashua 11U’s offense never let up on its way to an 18-8, mercy rule-shortned victory over Exeter on Sun­day. A win that puts Nashua one step closer to playing for the state title.

Nashua’s defense showed flashes of bril­liance early, highlighted by center fielder Chris Keefe’s catch of a line drive against the fence. Running full speed, Keefe caught the liner and held on as he went face first with full force into the steel fence and held onto the ball for the third out to end the top half of the first inning.

Issac Zhang got the start for Nashua. He was relieved by Drevin Richard in the fourth inning.

Offensively, Nashua got on the board in the bottom of the first. With two outs, Alex Hulfacher kept the inning alive with a single. He came around to score on Hol­brook’s homer off the center field conces­sion stand.

Rocheleau added to the lead with his solo shot to left in the second inning, and it opened the flood gates. Nashua’s next seven batters would reach base via a hit, walk or error, and all came around to score before Exeter recorded an out. Nashua pushed across one more to up its lead to 11-0 lead after two innings.

Exeter scored one in the third inning and added seven more in the fourth, taking ad­vantage of some sloppy Nashua defense. Three errors and three walks sandwiched around two hits, and suddenly Exeter was only trailing by three at 11-8.

Nashua added another run in the fourth for a 12-8 lead, then six more in the fifth – highlighted by singles from Rocheleau, Hart and Hulfacher – for the win and a spot in the winners’ bracket final against Swanzey. The winner advances to the state championship game.