SACS perseveres

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    DYER BROOK — It has been a tumultuous season for the Southern Aroostook baseball team. The Warriors lost games they shouldn’t have, won some others against higher-seeded teams, and also went through a coaching change mid-season.
    Still, SACS has not only persevered, the Warriors have thrived, earning the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Class D playoffs. SACS (10-4 overall) thumped No. 6 Woodland 12-3 Thursday afternoon in the quarterfinals. In so doing, the Warriors exacted a bit of revenge as Woodland beat SACS 12-8 in the regular season finale just nine days prior.
    With the win, SACS advanced to Saturday’s semifinal against No. 2 Hodgdon. (See accompanying story).
    Pat Goodall scattered three runs on six hits, two walks and one hit batter, with two strikeouts for the Warriors. For Woodland, Ryan Lincoln yielded 12 runs on 11 hits, two walks and one hit batter, with four strikeouts.
Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Gloria Austin
BUNT — Kaleb Burpee of Southern Aroostook lays down a bunt during last Saturday’s semifinal game against Hodgdon.
    “We kept our heads up,” Goodall said. “When we lost to them last time, we just didn’t play well. Today, we got the bats going early and it paid off.”
    Goodall appeared to tire in the sixth inning, giving up two runs, but he remained determined to finish out the game with his team up 12-3. He gave up three hits in the top of the seventh, but none of those baserunners were able to cross the plate. The final batter hit a slow roller back to the mound, allowing Goodall to record the final out of the game.
    “There’s nothing better than going out in the seventh with a lead like that,” Goodall said. “I felt pretty good today. My slider and fastball were all working. They (Woodland) hit me, but the team played great defense behind me.”
    Rob Betchner and David Day took over the coaching duties midseason following the suspension of long-time coach Murray Putnam. The Warriors are dedicating the playoffs to their former coach.
    “We’re doing all this for Murray,” Goodall said. “He may not be here, but he would want us to come out and play hard, so that’s what we’re doing.
    Leading the Warriors at the plate were Joe Frazier, Vance Gustin and Ryland King, each with two singles, while Will McGary had a double and Gage LeFay, Dylan Porter, Parker Walker and Goodall each had one single.
    For Woodland, Hunter Snowman had two singles, while Scott Boise, Tyler Cochran, Trevor Campbell and Chad Gagner each had one single.
    Coach Betchner said his hitters started off slow, but were able to make some in-game adjustments to Woodland’s pitcher Lincoln.
    “He was throwing a lot of junk, so we told the guys to step up in the box to catch it earlier,” coach Betchner said. “That’s what they did and they started putting some hits together.”