Ben Geiger delivers a pitch for Coffey Post during Tuesday's 9-0 win over Salem in the first game of a doubleheader at Holman Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – They gathered in left field at Holman Stadium last year after a tough elimination loss in the New Hampshire Senior Legion state tournament, exchanging contact info, etc.

And vowing to return to the same spot but to celebrate, not say good-bye.

That’s the mission the Nashua James E. Coffey Post #3 baseball team is on. They finished their Distict B schedule 13-2 as the top seed in District B, just as the Defenders were a year ago. The double elimination state tournament begins this morning with the finals set for Tuesday, July 28, all at Historic Holman Stadium.

In other words, home sweet home, as Nashua will take on District A No. 4 seed Keene tonight at 7 at HHS. A win Coffey and plays again at 7 on Saturday; a loss and Nashua goes earlier tomorrow at 1.

How hungry is this team?

“I think a lot of them kind of understand the situation where we’re at, and looking around and seeing the regular season we had,” Nashua manager Norm Kerman said. “Even when we went to Rhode Island (in a tourney), I think it proved to a lot of us we’re a team that can be really competitive in the tournament. And I think the guys that weren’t here I think a lot of them when they finished their high school seasons kind of felt they left something on the table.”

Nashua can hit, that’s a given. In a recent 9-0, 8-3 doubleheader sweep of Salem the Coffey Kids banged out a combined 24 hits. They have Liam Ireland, an effective leadoff hitter, and his former Bishop Guertin teammate, Gavin Santos. Mario Ramirez is a solid catcher and can boost the bottom half of the lineup. Tyler Parks has become an RBI machine. This team can rake.

But the Defenders can pitch too. While 24 hits is a big deal, so is the three-hit pitching like Nashua got from Ben Geiger, who is headed to Ithica College after the season ends, in one of the Salem wins. He dominated, tossing a complete game three hitter, striking out eight with zippo walks. He’s playing on an All-Star team and that helps him be one as well.

“Again, the best players from high schools all around here, it’s a blast,” Geiger said. “It makes me even more confident, just go out there and throw strikes, and attack.”

Meanwhile Ireland, Nick Wyner, Jordy Delude,Ramirez and Jacoby Caissie help boost this offense.

“We knew it was big to try to get some momentum,” Kerman said. “When we know we have the ability to really try to step on the gas pedal. It helps when we hit, but it really helps when we have Ben Geiger on the mound. It’s really fun to watch.”

And after that? Well former South ace Brendon Doughty, South’s Aidan O’Connor, Jordy Delude, who catches and throws, and North’s Chance Unthink, plus BG’s Jake Bowen. It’s a strong group to weather the gauntlet storm, it appears.

“We’ve got a lot of arms,” Kerman said.

Defending champion Bedford, of course, is the likely favorite, sailing through District A unbeaten and set to face District B’s No. 4 Salem this morning to open the tourney.

Did Kerman eye them from afar?

“A little bit, a little bit,” Kerman said. “I think that’s kind of a dangerous game. Obviously you look, you know it’s there. But at the end of the day, it’s basically like high school baseball – anybody can beat anybody. It’s whose hot at the right time, who has the momentum at the right time.”

And who doesn’t think it’s the right time for good-byes. The Coffey Kids, that’s who.

For the complete schedule and updates, go to Newhampshireamericanlegionbaseball.com.

Above photo: Ben Geiger will be a huge key on the mound for Coffey Post in the upcoming NH Senior Legion tournament that starts today at Historic Holman Stadium. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)