Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
CLOSE PLAY — Hodgdon second baseman Sam Horton, left, is a split second too late with the tag on Shead’s Nick Barnes during Friday’s home opener in Hodgdon. The Hawks soared to a 12-0, five-inning victory.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HODGDON — Opening the season with a pair of victories is every coach’s dream scenario. That scenario played out to perfection for Hodgdon baseball coach Rob Smith after the Hawks beat Shead of Eastport 8-4 on April 17 and pounded the Tigers, 12-0, in a five-inning game at home Friday afternoon.
Overall for the first two games I was pleased,” coach Smith said. “I know the first game is always tough because it is the first time being on the field after being in the gym for three weeks. I have seen some good things on the field, but there is still room to improve.”
At home Friday, Hodgdon’s Nick Lunn tossed the complete game shortened to five innings via the mercy rule. He allowed just one hit and three walks with eight strikeouts.
The Hawks (2-0) pounded out nine hits Friday, while walking three times.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
STAYING WITH IT — Hodgdon shortstop Drew Gough tries to snag the ball after it takes a bad hop in Friday’s game with Shead.
“I would like for us to be a little more patient at the plate,” the coach said.
Tyler Sherman led the way with a triple, two singles and three RBIs. Jonah Sarchfield had two doubles and two RBIs. Lunn and Blake Woods both had a single and one RBI.
The lone hit for Shead (0-2) came in the fourth inning by Phil Farrell, who singled.
At Eastport, Sherman singled twice and Drew Gough singled and scored twice as Hodgdon defeated the Tigers.
Will Urquhart, Nick Barnes and Isaiah Cheverier each singled for Shead.
The Hawks made four fielding miscues. On Friday, Hodgdon cut that number to just one.
“I made some adjustments to the fielding, moving Sam Horton over to second, Tyler Sherman to third and Drew Gough to short,” Smith said. “This may become our starting defense when Nick Lunn is on the mound. Our infield played a clean game and our one error came on a rushed throw. On offense we hit the ball better in the second game.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
DELIVERING — Hodgdon’s Jamiee Theriault fires a pitch to the plate.
