The Champs of '06

The 20th anniversary of the 2006 spring sports year at Conval was one to remember. The Cougars produced not one but two state champion teams, including the baseball team, which won it all only for the second time in school history (the first being 1975). Known for solid defense and strong pitching, the Cougars finished the regular season in fifth place (13-4), but rolled through the Class I (D2) tournament with wins over Plymouth, Lebanon and Bow before facing a strong Kennett High team in the finals at what is now Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester.

Kennett, led by Pittsburgh Pirates draftee Jeff Locke, was known for their offensive power, and the Eagles outhit Conval in the finals 10 to 5. But the Cougars used a no-mistakes defense while Kennett committed five errors as Conval emerged with a 5-3 victory. The game hung in the balance in the final inning when Kennett had two on and nobody out, but Class I Player of the Year Ross Davis came on in relief to secure the victory. “The team unity and brotherhood on this team is incredible. I’m just glad I got to play on this team,” Ross said afterwards.

Coaching the Cougars to the state title was Mike Marschok, who was 145-103 in 15 seasons before retiring in 2020. And now, Marschok is back in 2026, leading Conval baseball once again.

The 2006 baseball state champs (top photo front, from left): Josh Allen, Jesse Arnold, Mike Breslin, Cody Carlson, Zach Chapman, Kyle Larouche. Middle: Dustin Bealby (hidden), Travis Durgin, Zach Hutton, Zach Nixon, Andrew Hixson, Ray Dewing (hidden), Ross Davis. Back: Coach Mike Marschok, Frank Shea, Matt Beaudin, assistant coaches Scott Liljeberg and Brian Pytko. Missing from photo: Tom Bugsch.

(Photo: Courtesy of Jaimie O'Brien]