Minor all-stars overpower Millinocket; play Friday

Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
HE SWINGS — Nick Perfitt of the Houlton Minor League All-stars takes a swing at the ball during the District 3 Little League 9-10-year-old Tournament held at the Bangor West Field complex. Last Friday night, Perfitt had four hits, including three triples and five RBIs.
    On July 1, the Houlton 9/10 All-stars, sponsored by Swallow’s Electric, defeated Millinocket 23-9 in a four-inning game at the Bangor West field.
    Houlton scored early and often, pounding out 13 hits, and was aided by 12 walks from Millinocket pitchers.
    Drew Marino held the Millinocket hitters scoreless in the top of the first, striking out three batters after a leadoff walk. Houlton then came to bat and scored six runs in the first.
    In the top of the second, Millinocket answered with eight runs to take a brief 8-6 lead until the bottom of the frame when Houlton sent 19 batters to the plate, scoring 14 runs in the inning for a 20-8 cushion. The two big blows in the inning were Nick Perfitt’s two-RBI triples and Tyler Bailey’s bases-loaded triple.      Millinocket was only able to muster one run in the top of the third to bring the score to 20-9.
    Houlton tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the third to finalize the scoring. Millinocket went in order in the top of the fourth, ending the game and improving Houlton’s record in the tournament to 2-1.
Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
FIRES HOME — Tyler Bailey of the Houlton Minor League All-star team fires the ball  to homeplate during the District 3 Little League 9-10-year-old Tournament held at the Bangor West Field complex.
    Houlton’s offense was led by Perfitt who had four hits, including three triples and five RBIs. Bailey added three hits, with five RBIs, also. Keegan Gentle and Andrew Tuttle added two hits apiece, each driving in two runs. On the pitcher’s mound, Marino and Bailey combined to strikeout seven Millinocket batters limiting them to only two hits.
    Mark Dioznia and J.W. Briggs each had singles for Millinocket.  Millinocket finished the tournament 0-2.
    Houlton plays this Friday at the Bangor West Field complex, across from Mansfield Stadium, against Orrington.