It was split decision locally on Thursday night in the New England Independent Baseball League:

AMHERST 8,

ST.THOMAS 2

Isiah Gutierrez pitched five innings of one-hit ball while Dylan Dufour went 3 for 3 with two doubles and four RBIs to pace the Sabers, now 1-4 in league play and 2-4 overall.

Jeff Lugo had a double and two RBIs while Bobby Henline had a triple and scored three runs.

Troy Brennan had a double, a sacrifice fly and three RBIs, and also pitched two innings of one run relief.

Amherst hosts Durham Saturday in a doubleheader at 10 a.m.at Souhegan High School.

PORTSMOUTH 12,

MERRIMACK 7

Portsmouth got eight runs in the fifth to take control at Harvey Woods Field.

Dylan Brander pitched four solid innings for the locals, allowing three unearned runs with two strikeouts. He also went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a stolen base.

Keaton Miller, Mike Grover, and Aiden Ponder each had two hits for Merrimack, while Grover also had two runs scored and an RBI.

Merrimack hosts Hudson in a doubleheader Saturday at Woods Field beginning at 10 a.m.

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