All-stars runners-up in Lions Club tourney

    After playing a grueling District 3 Little League Tournament, the Houlton 9-10-year-old All-stars hit the diamond for the third annual Lions Club Little League Invitational double-elimination tournament last weekend.
    The Houlton All-stars lost their first game on Saturday to Caribou, 7-6, but came back on Sunday to defeat previously undefeated Caribou 8-4 to force a championship game.
    In the finals, Caribou took a 5-1 lead and held on for an exciting finish to capture the championship trophy, edging Houlton by a run.
    For Houlton, Garrett Ring led the offense going 3-for-4 while scoring three runs. Nick Botting and Tyler Brown each had two hits and a run, while Cameron Grant tallied a pair of hits and Cameron Graham singled and scored twice.
    Pitching for Houlton in the championship contest were Ring, Parker Brewer and Ryan Dee.
    For Caribou, Michael Hunter went 2-for-3 scoring twice, including what proved to the game winner on a ground ball by Mason Huck. Tyler Dombroski picked up the win with Donovan Savage getting the save. Both pitchers were aided by stellar glove work in the field, as Caribou’s defense turned in several game-saving plays, including three in the decisive final inning.
    In the first game of the day, it was “must win” time for Houlton, and they pulled out an 8-4 win over Caribou.
    Houlton’s Dee threw five strong innings to pick up the win, as the young Shires built a 7-1 cushion behind Dee, Ring and Brown’s two hits apiece.
    The Houlton defense frustrated Caribou batters — who were hitting the ball — with their leather in the field.
    During the first day of the tournament, Caribou had won three straight games to remain undefeated going into Championship Sunday. They had dropped Fort Fairfield, 13-2 in five innings; Madawaska by an 11-8 score and next edged Houlton, 7-6.
    Despite taking a 2-0 lead against Caribou in the third, the Houlton All-stars watched a close one get away. Caribou’s Hunter smashed a triple driving in two runs before coming all the way around to score after an errant throw to third base, as Caribou went ahead 3-2.
    The game stayed close, but Caribou slipped by with the win, as Justin Ouellette and Savage combined on the mound for the win. Hunter led Caribou’s offense going 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles, single and triple.
    For Houlton in the heartbreaker, Dee collected three hits, while Ring had a pair. Ben Tuttle and Botting each had one hit.