On Senior Day at the Winkin Complex on Saturday morning, the JB seniors came out swinging against the Hermon Hawks and cruised to a 17-2 victory in 5 innings.
Nick Pooler hit the first pitch he saw up the middle, the sun burst out of the clouds, and the Crusaders plated 11 first inning runs to put the Hawks away early.
All the seniors started today's game and they made the most of their appearances.
Pooler went 2 for 4 with 2 runs, 2 rbi, and 2 stolen bases. Matt Duplisea was 2 for 3 with a triple, 3 runs scored and a walk. Casey Hull was 2 for 3 with 3 runs scored, 2 rbi., a HB, and stolen base.
Chase Huckstein was 2 for 2 with 4 rbi, a triple, a walk, and 2 runs scored.
Miles Gagnon was 2 for 3 with a triple, 2 rbi, and 2 runs scored. Derek Smith walked, was hit by a pitch, scored and pitched the final inning setting down the Hawks in order with one strikout.
Tyler Chamberlain also doubled and had an rbi in the 4th inning.
Doug Dieuveuil made solid contact on three groundouts.
Bill Wetherbee had a big day as well: single, double, triple, walk, 4 runs scored, and 2rbi.
Matt Storgaard also singled and scored in the final inning.
(Remember all of this was done in just 4 innings...maybe we should have put some in the 'bank.')

Jason McBurnie picked up his 5th win on the season going 4 innings, giving up 4 hits, no walks, while striking out 2. Both runs given up were unearned.
Congratulations JB on your 9th win of the season. (9-5-1)

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.

Today's Heal Points show that the Bucksport Golden Bucks are the #1 ranked baseball team in Class B East. The Bucks appeared formidable early as they pounded out 8 hits and scored 6 runs in the 2nd inning to build an early 6-1 lead. John Bapst did not roll over and chipped away making it 7-6 Bucksport into the 6th inning. The Bucks scored 2 more (unearned) runs in the bottom half of the sixth to make it 9-6 and JB could not come back in the 7th. It was a gallant effort by the Bapst boys who could've easily given up early in this one but they fought back and made it an exciting game to watch.
Jason McBurnie went 3 innings before giving way to Chris Hammond in the 4th. Hammond struck out 2 while giving up 3 unearned runs the rest of the way.
Nick Pooler hit a 2-run home run in the sixth to spark the comeback. Nick was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 2 rbi. Matt Duplisea was 2 for 4 with 2 more rbi. Casey Hull was 2 for 4, Bill Wetherbee-1 for 4, run scored, SB. Miles Gagnon walked once. Ryan Carr was on base all afternoon; he went 2 for 2 with 2 walks, and 2 runs scored. Adam Leadbetter had an rbi on a FC and scored a run. Jason McBurnie had a nice bunt single as well.
JB is now 8-4-1 going into a Thursday matchup with #3 Ellsworth.
John Bapst was ranked #5 going into today's game.
Another great effort boys!

Matt Storgaard pitched one-hit baseball through 5 innings and Jason McBurnie came in to pitch the last 2 to lead the John Bapst Crusaders to their 8th win, 4-2 over Old Town on Saturday.
Old Town's ace Casey Estes struck out 11 JB batters on the day; but good defensive plays in the field, Storgaard's pitching performance, and some good base running were the difference. Matt went 5 innings, striking out 5.
Offensively for JB: Casey Hull-2 for 4, 3 rbi, double, & great 'D' at shortstop! Nick Pooler- 2 for 3, run scored, stolen base.
Bill Wetherbee- 1 for 2, double, sac fly, stolen base, run scored. Chase Huckstein- SF, rbi. Ryan Carr- 1 for 3, run scored, good 'D'. Adam Leadbetter- walk, run scored. Storgaard- Sac bunt. Jason McBurnie- walk, stolen base, run scored.
JB is now 8-3-1 with games vs. Bucksport on Tuesday (at Bucksport 4:30) and home (Husson) vs. Ellsworth on Thursday 4:30 (WZON radio game). Go Crusaders!

The Bucksport Golden Bucks scored the winning run with 2 out in the 8th inning to defeat John Bapst on Friday afternoon, 4-3. It was a nail-biter all afternoon as JB left 6 runners stranded over the first 4 innings before finally scoring in the 5th. Bucksport took an early 3-0 lead in the 5th inning and Bapst answered in the home half with 2 outs. Nick Pooler singled and moved to 2nd on a wild pitch. Bill Wetherbee doubled him home; then Chase Huckstein tripled Billy home to make the score 3-2, Bucksport. In the 6th, Bapst tied the game as Ryan Carr singled, took 2 bases on a fielder's choice, and scored on a wild pitch.
Chris Hammond pitched all 8 innings, giving up 9 hits, while striking out 4.
Offensively for Bapst: Gagnon- 1 for 3, double, walk, stolen base. Pooler- walk, run scored, single.
Wetherbee- double, run scored, rbi. Huckstein- single, triple, rbi. Duplisea- 2 singles, stolen base.
Carr- single, run scored. Hammond- single.
JB is now 7-3-1 going into a Saturday morning game at Old Town. Game time is 11:00 A.M.

The 'Mercy Rule' that is. After 3 scoreless innings of play, JBapst sent 11 players to the plate in the 4th inning and erupted for 6 runs on 5 hits. Hermon responded in the home half with a bases clearing double to cut the lead in half. In the top of the 5th, Bapst sent 12 more batters to the plate and scored 7 more times to take a commanding 13-3 lead. Matt Storgaard came on in relief to pitch a shutout 5th inning and send everyone home early.
Nick Christie picked up the win on the mound, going 4 innings, giving up 3 hits and 3 runs, while striking out 7.
Offensively for the Crusaders:
Casey Hull- 2 for 4, 2 runs, 3 rbi.
Miles Gagnon- 1 for 4, 1 run.
Nick Pooler- 1 for 3, 2 rbi, 1 run, walk.
Bill Wetherbee- 1 for 3, walk, run.
Chase Huckstein- 1 for 3, 2 rbi, Sac bunt.
Matt Duplisea- 2 for 2, single, double, rbi, stolen base, Hit by pitch, walk.
Ryan Carr- 1 for 4, 2 runs, 2 rbi, and another outstanding fielding play at 3rd.
Derek Smith- 3 for 4, 2 singles, double, 2 runs, 2 rbi.
Tyler Chamberlain- walk, 1 run scored ( and one by J.McB. as Pinch runner)
Chris Hammond caught a line shot Double Play ball at 2nd to end the game.
JB is now 7-2-1 on the season with the Golden Bucks of Bucksport coming to town on Friday.
Game time is 4:30 at Husson...Be there!

It took 9 innings, but the John Bapst JV's beat Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln, 10-7 on Monday. The game was tied at 6 until the top of the 9th when Jordan Charpentier led off the the 9th with a single and moved to third on a sac bunt by David Jones. Jordan scored on a Grady Hayes single. Bapst went on to score 3 more runs in the 9th to win it. Hayes went 4 for 5 with 3 runs scored and an rbi. John Ashman was 2 for 3 with an rbi, Dan Davis was 2 for 3 with an rbi, and Josh Storgaard pitched the first 7 innings giving up 5 earned runs while striking out 9 before giving way to Charpentier who pitched the final 2 innings to get the win.
Congratulations, Boys!

The Crusaders got revenge for an earlier 2-1 loss to the Ponies by defeating them on Tuesday, 6-3.
Jason McBurnie pitched 6 and 2/3 innings, giving up 2 earned runs and striking out 4. Nick Christie came on in relief and walked a batter before getting the last out on a grounder to 2nd.
Offensively, Nick Pooler went 3 for 4 with 2 rbi's, a walk and stolen base. Casey Hull was 1 for 4 with a run scored, walk, and stolen base. Miles Gagnon had a sac bunt, single, and 2 stolen bases
( no style points on that last slide into 2nd!). Bill Wetherbee was 1 for 3 with 2 walks including a final at-bat that took 11 pitches before he worked the free pass. Matt Duplisea had a double that drove in the first 2 JB runs, and Shane Hass hit the ball hard all day and singled. Ryan Carr was 1 for 3 with a walk and stolen base to go along with his solid play defensively at 3rd base.
JB is now 6-2-1.
Game at Hermon on Thursday...4:30.
FYI...Saturday's game at Old Town is supposed to be on WZON radio also (according to the WZON schedule)

Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln's pitcher (Tash) spun a 2 hitter vs. JBapst on Monday, and the Crusaders lost their 2nd game of the season, 4-1. Bapst could muster but 2 hits, a Casey Hull single in the 3rd inning and Bill Wetherbee's single in the 7th inning.
Wetherbee had 2 stolen bases and scored the lone JB run.
The loss erased another outstanding pitching performance by Chris Hammond. Hammond pitched 5 innings of perfect baseball not allowing a runner or hit. Until the single in the 6th inning, he had retired the first 16 batters he faced. In the sixth, MA broke it open with 2 singles and a triple to take a 3-0 lead. They tacked on one more run in the 7th with a double and single.
Hammond struck out 9 on the day while giving up 5 hits and not issuing a walk.
JB is now 5-2-1 on the season as they head to Dover-Foxcroft on Tuesday seeking revenge for a 2-1 loss earlier in the season.

John Bapst and Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln battled to a six-inning 8-8 tie on a blustery, rainy, cold Thursday up in Lincoln. This was NOT baseball weather, yet Billy (Wether)bee had not problem launching a 2 run HR over the left field fence in the top of the sixth inning. Chase Huckstein had a hot bat also, going 3 for 4 with a bases loaded triple to go with 2 singles and 4 rbi on the day. Casey Hull was hit by a pitch and scored on Billy's 'bomb' to LF. Miles Gagnon was 1 for 3 with a sac bunt and run scored. Nick Pooler walked twice, scored twice, had an rbi and stolen base. Wetherbee walked and scored before homering late in the game. Adam Leadbetter was 1 for 3 with a stolen base. Chris Hammond singled in a run and Matt Duplisea was hit by a pitch and scored.
Jason McBurnie battled the Lynx (and the ridiculous weather!) for 5 innings, giving up 4 runs and striking out 4.
Nick Christie came on in relief and walked 4 while giving up 4 unearned runs.
Details of how/when/if this game will be finished will be announced later.
Congratulations boys on braving the elements and still playing with a lot of heart and spirit.

(Get it? Hammond Lumber?)
Sophomore Chris Hammond pitched a 2 hit shutout against an outstanding Ellsworth Eagle team on Tuesday. Ellsworth drops to 6-2 overall, while Bapst is now 5-1. Chris needed only 69 pitches to go the full 7 innings, not walking anyone and striking out 6. Hammond had Eagle batters off balance all day giving up a single in the 2nd inning and another in the 6th. Of his 69 pitches, 54 were for strikes and only 15 were balls. What an amazing performance by #63!
Offensively for the Crusaders, they had 10 hits on the day. Casey Hull was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk, Miles Gagnon had a single and rbi, Nick Pooler was 1 for 3 with a walk, Bill Wetherbee was 2 for 4 with a run scored, and stolen base, Adam Leadbetter was 1 for 3 with an rbi and run scored, Chris Hammond hit the ball hard and was 1 for 3, and Matt Duplisea was 2 for 3 with an rbi and run scored.
Congratulations on an outstanding win over a highly touted Eagle team.

Dover-Foxcroft defeated JBapst on Wednesday, 2-1. Jason McBurnie pitched an excellent game, not allowing a hit until the 5th inning. He struck out 6 on the afternoon.
The Ponies scored an unearned run in the 5th inning and then took the lead in the 6th on a single, sacrifice, groundout, and single.
Bapst turned an unconventional triple play in the first inning and a double play in the 7th, thanks to Tyler Chamberlain's 'heads-up' play at first base.
Leading the way for Bapst was Ryan Carr with a triple, single and run scored. Casey Hull had a single and sac fly rbi along with a sac bunt in the 7th. Miles Gagnon was 1 for 3 with a walk, Nick Pooler was on base 3 more times with a single, FC, and a walk. Bill Wetherbee singled and doubled but was stranded twice at 2nd base. Bill also made some excellent defensive plays; he picked a runner off first, threw out a player stealing 2nd, and held on to an out at the plate late in the game to keep the Crusaders within a run. Adam Leadbetter also had a single.
Bapst stranded 8 runners on the day, including the tying run at 3rd in the final inning.
Bapst is now 4-1

Tonight's game vs. Dover-Foxcroft has been rained out. We'll play tomorrow @ Mansfield 4:30 start.

John Bapst came out swinging in the first 2 innings, scoring 9 runs in the first inning and 7 more in the 2nd inning, to cruise to a 'mercy rule' 16-1 victory over the Old Town Coyotes on Saturday.
The first nine players to bat for JB all scored in the first inning before an out was recorded, and the Crusaders ran their record to 4-0 on the young season.
Casey Hull was 1 for 3 with a triple, SB, and 3-rbi's; Ryan Carr was 1 for 3 with a walk, a SB, and 2 runs scored; Nick Pooler continued his torrid hitting; he went 2 for 3 with a double, an rbi, a stolen base and 2 runs scored. Chase Huckstein was 2 for 4 with a SB, 2 rbi's, and a run scored; Shane Hass was 1 for 2 with a double, 2 runs, and 2 rbi's; Bill Wetherbee was 2 for 3 with a double, 2 rbi's, a SB and scored twice; Miles Gagnon was 2 for 2 with an rbi triple, and 2 runs scored; Matt Duplisea scored once and had a SF rbi; and Jason McBurnie was 1 for 1 with a walk, HB, 2 runs scored and an rbi.
McBurnie pitched the first 3 innings picking up his team high 3rd win of the season. Nick Christie came on to pitch 2 hitless/scoreless innings as well.
Nice win, boys!
TC