The Houlton Little League town championship was held for the Minors Division on June 21 at Rotary Field, adjacent to Houlton Elementary School.
The Mooers Realty team jumped to a quick lead and never looked back, as they defeated American Legion 15-8.
To start the game, Mooers Realty took a slight lead, 3-1, after Nolan Hodgkins walked, followed by Caleb Tuttle’s double. Tuttle along with Jadon Gentle scored on passed balls.
MINOR WINNERS — Winning the Houlton Little League Minors Division title was Mooers Realty. Playing for the team are, from left, front, Nate Tuttle, Nolan Hodgkins, Kurtis Reynolds, Mikey Fitzpatrick, Maddie Marino and Jonathan Hare; back, coach Mike Fitzpatrick, Caleb Tuttle, Braden Dow, Jadon Gentle, coach Brian Reynolds; Elizabeth Donahue, David Donnelly and coach Brian Donnelly.
Haven Hanning of the American Legion opened the game scoring on a passed ball after doubling in the top of the frame.
Each team had a scoreless second inning, as Gabe Ledger for the American Legion and Hodgkins of Mooers Realty both settled down on the mound.
RUNNERS-UP — Playing for Houlton Farms Dairy in the Majors Division are, from left, front, Hunter Sennett and Keegan Gentle; middle, Jaron Gentle, Andrew Tuttle, Nolan Porter, David Tucker, Jr., and Eli Bulley; back, Ben Grant, Cameron Callnan, Carson Grant, A.J. Henderson, Cameron Stevens and Alex Wilde.
In the third, Mooers Realty extended its lead to 5-1, as Gentle and Mikey Fitzpatrick both scored on Kurtis Reynolds’ triple.
LITTLE LEAGUE ACTION — Above, Jordan Brown attempts a diving stop at the ball hit down the first baseline during Border League’s championship game against T&S Market on June 22, while at right, Silas Graham gets ready to field the ball, while teammate Brock Thompson backs up the play.
However, the American Legion had a rally of its own in the top of the fifth when they exploded for five runs to take a 6-5 lead, as Collin Moody and Hanning each reached base on singles and then Ledger, Bronson Hanning and Jarrett Fournier all had home runs.
With the American Legion team pressuring, Mooers Realty rose to the challenge and drove in five of their own runs to retake the lead, 10-6. Braden Dow, Maddie Marino, Hodgkins, Gentle and Nate Tuttle all scored.
FIRES — Gabe Ledger of the American Legion throws the ball to home during the Minors Division championship game.
In the fifth, Reynolds came on in relief of starter Hodgkins for Mooers Realty and held the American Legion scoreless, as Mooers Realty secured the win, 15-6. Reynolds, Jonathan Hare, David Donnelly, Dow and Elizabeth Donahue all scored.
The American Legion scored two more runs in the top of the sixth, with Josh McGillicuddy and Moody crossing the plate, but the game was out of reach.
DRIVES THE BALL — Kurtis Reynolds of Mooers Realty drives the ball during the Minors Division championship.
I’M READY — Caleb Tuttle gives the ‘thumbs up’ to show his coach he is ready to get in the batter’s box and hit the ball.
