In what felt more like a playoff game, 2 of Eastern Maine's top class B teams battled with their aces on the mound, and John Bapst came up on the short end by the score of 1-0.
Chris Hammond was incredible all afternoon. After a 1st inning error, he set down 15 Eagle batters in a row, not allowing a hit until one out in the 6th inning. After a leadoff walk, a fielder's choice and ground out, Ellsworth's pitcher Pat Kelly tripled home the only run of the game (also the only hit on the day for the Eagles). Hammond had the Eagles' batters hitting the ball into the turf, getting 13 ground ball outs. He struck out 5 and walked just one. Chris is now 2-3 on the season. Certainly his record does not reflect the quality of his starts all season long. He lowered his ERA to a miniscule 1.58! (unofficial of course)
Offensively, John Bapst had a difficult time against one of the top pitchers they've faced all season. JB had 4 hits and walked twice. The game ended in exciting fashion as Bill Wetherbee led off the 7th with a single. After Huckstein popped out to short, Ryan Carr hit a ball to shortstop with Bill running on the play. Carr was out and Wetherbee was now on 2nd with 2 outs. Miles Gagnon came up and hit what appeared to be a game tying single in the hole between shortstop and 3rd base. SS-Brad Folmer made a diving stop and Wetherbee was already rounding 3rd and headed for home. Folmer made a throw from deep in the hole and got Wetherbee at the plate to end the game. What a finish!
Offensively: Casey Hull walked (and had 6 nice assists from his shortstop position on defense), Chase Huckstein singled, Bill Wetherbee singled, and Miles Gagnon hit the ball hard all day and finished with 2 singles. Ryan Carr also contributed a nice sacrifice bunt in the 2nd inning.
JBapst is now 8-5-1 going into Saturday morning's game vs. Hermon (at Husson) 10:30 A.M. start. Don't forget it's also Senior Day! We hope all the moms and dads of our senior players can make the game as we will have special presentations to make to the players and their parents during the pre-game.
Also don't forget our team dinner on Friday night at 6:30 for both the JV and Varsity teams.
We'll have a short booster's meeting as well.