Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
RUN DOWN — Southern Aroostook’s Corey Rockwell is chased down by Katahdin catcher Spencer Anderson after a busted play. Rockwell was broke down the third baseline, but a missed bunt caused him to be caught in a rundown.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
DYER BROOK — Timely hitting and base running proved to be the back breaker in Monday’s Class D semifinal game in Dyer Brook.
The No. 4 Southern Aroostook Warriors advanced to the Class D final against Bangor Christian at Mansfield Park in Bangor after defeating No. 9 Katahdin, 8-3. The Cougars end their season at 8-8.
The title game was supposed to be played Tuesday, but was pushed back two days due to the inclement weather experienced throughout the state.
The Class D final will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. in Bangor. The Warriors will meet the Patriots for the second time in two years. Last year, the Patriots defeated the Warriors, 8-3 to claim the Class D regional crown.
Southern Aroostook had active bats as Jesse Boulier doubled and singled twice; Trent Cullinan singled twice; Mason Caron tripled and drove in a run; Josh Perrin hit an RBI-single in the fifth and Gage LeFay doubled twice and singled.
The game was tied 1-all after the first before Southern Aroostook took a 3-1 advantage in the bottom of the second with two outs, as Perrin scored on Boulier’s infield hit, which was misplayed by Katahdin. Boulier then scored on Parker Walker’s RBI-single.
The Cougars tied the game in the top of the third after Matt Birmingham reached base on an outfield error and scored on Billy Livezey’s triple. With one out, Spencer Anderson delivered a single to score Livezey to tie the game.
Pioneer Times photographGloria Austin
NABBED — Southern Aroostook’s Gage LeFay jumps to nab the ball, while Katahdin’s Spencer Anderson slides safely under the throw at third.
It was short lived, however, as Southern Aroostook scored the eventual winning run in the bottom of the third when LeFay doubled to start the inning, stole second and advanced to third, scoring on White’s sacrifice fly.
The Warriors continued their hitting barrage with a four-run fifth inning, as Cullinan singled and moved to second on Katahdin’s outfield error. LeFay then doubled home Cullinan, while Mason Caron’s double down the first baseline scored LeFay. Perrin singled in Caron and Boulier raced down the first baseline to beat out an infield grounder for an RBI.
Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
FIRES — Katahdin’s Billy Livezey fields the ball and comes up firing to first base during Monday’s Eastern Maine Class D semifinal against Southern Aroostook in Dyer Brook.
“We have been hitting the ball of late as a team, and we love to put pressure on the defense while on the bases,” said Southern Aroostook first-year coach David Day. “One of the keys to our success this season is our ability to steal bases. Here is an amazing stat … we have 117 steals with 119 attempts. There is average team speed, but they have learned how to take crazy leads and have learned what to watch for from pitchers.”
Katahdin’s Anderson collected three base hits, while Livezey tripled and drove in a run. Shey Lane and Birmingham both singled twice.
Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
BACK — Katahdin’s Shey Lane gets back to first base, as Austin White catches the ball.
The Cougars had a chance to tie the game in the fifth, as Anderson singled and made his way to third base. However, Katahdin felt Southern Aroostook’s Cullinan balked and sent the runner to home. But, the balk was never called and Anderson was caught red-handed at the plate to finish the inning.
“There were a few jitters on the bench before our game with Katahdin,” said Day. “It took a couple of innings before some of the kids realized it was just another game and we are here to play.”
Pitching was solid for Southern Aroostook, who started Walker and brought Cullinan in for relief in the fifth.
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