Mustangs move on to face Seawolves in baseball championship

(YSCC) Old Orchard Beach, Maine - The #2 seeded Central Maine CC Mustangs baseball team defeated the #3 NHTI Lynx in a hard-fought game, earning a 13-9 victory on Saturday, May 6th, advancing to the YSCC Baseball Championship.

Our YSCC Baseball Championship Saturday began with a groundout from the NHTI leadoff hitter but heated up quickly. A walk, followed by a hit by pitch, and then an infield single loaded the bases for NHTI. The Lynx would score two runs in the top of the first thanks to an RBI single and sacrifice fly. 

After a leadoff groundout, Zach Mann singled back up the middle to get the Central Maine offense going in the bottom of the first. He then stole second base to put a runner in scoring position. Then a walk, and a deep single over the head of the center fielder, would load the bases for the Mustangs. A fielder's choice RBI would net the first run for the Mustangs, as they now trailed the Lynx just 2-1. A groundout to NHTI shortstop Cole Johnston, who would make a great play, helped NHTI escape with a first-inning lead. 

NHTI would start the 2nd in what looked promising, as the diving CM left fielder could not make a diving catch. But he would fire from his knees to second and get the runner trying to stretch the hit into extra bases. They would go down with no additional runs. 

Central Maine's Rolando Rodriguez Jr battled to earn himself an infield single, with the hopes of starting a rally. A 5-4 fielder's choice putout would net the second out of the inning, and then a passed ball put Brandon Gour in scoring position. Then a hit by Jimmy Reed would score Gour from second to tie the game 2-2. A flyout to right would end the second inning. 

Just as it appeared CM Starter Garret Harvey was settling in, Cole Johnston had something to say about that, as he smashed a 325-foot 2-run homerun. The Lynx would regain the lead, 4-2. Harvey did bounce back and strike out James Jones and forced an Isaac Swisher groundout to escape further damage. 

Central Maine would look to do damage in the bottom of the third as they loaded the bases with just one out. A sacrifice fly to center field would score the runner from third and cut the deficit to one run. NHTI would lead 4-3 after three innings. 

Garret Harvey would start the 4th inning showing off his skill with back-to-back strikeouts, followed by a flyout to complete the one-two-three inning. 

Central Maine would look to rally in the bottom of the fourth with a Jimmy Reed double, followed by a Zach Mann hit by pitch. The rally would come to a halt after Jimmy Reed was picked off and Garren Post struck out swinging. 

NHTI began the 5th inning with runners on first and second, forcing the Central Maine skipper to make a pitching change. Enter the freshman from Michigan, Jack Cote. Cote retired the first batter he faced on a flyout to center fielder Jimmy Reed. He would then walk the next batter to load the bases. Then NHTI broke it open with a two-run double by James Jones off the right field wall. NHTI would take a 6-3 lead with runners on the corners. Then a single up the middle would score another run. A stolen base and another single netted another NHTI run, 8-3 NHTI lead, runners on the corners. Time for another Central Maine pitching change. Derek Roman would come on to pitch and get the Mustangs out of the inning, but the damage was done. 

After a pair of quiet half-innings, Central Maine was threatening as they loaded the bases with no outs. Garren Post would go down on strikes for the first out of the inning. Then a groundout to third baseman Josh MacDonald, got the force out at home. Then Central Maine would finally crack the scoring column as NHTI walked in a run. NHTI still led 8-4.

Central Maine would get three more runs on a bloop hit to center field. But Shane Sullivan would get thrown out at third base trying to extend it to three bases. Central Maine would still trail NHTI 8-7 after 6 innings. 

NHTI went down quickly in the top of the 7th and Central Maine looked to continue their strong 6th inning. The designated hitter roped a single to left, followed by a sacrifice bunt and hit by pitch. Runners on first and second, one out. The all-conference leadoff hitter Jimmy Reed drew a walk to load the bases and force an NHTI pitching change. Cole Johnston would come in to pitch for the Lynx. 

Johnston would walk the first batter he faced, and just like that the game was knotted at 8-8. Another run walked in by Johnston would give Central Maine the lead. NHTI saw their once 5-run lead turned into a deficit. Then a sacrifice fly and a balk would score two more runs. 11-8 Central Maine led. 

NHTI would not go down quietly as they loaded the bases in the top of the 8th. A James Jones single to right field put NHTI back in the scoring, now trailing 11-9. Central Maine would escape after a popout. 

The Mustangs would plate 2 more insurance runs in the bottom of the 8th and ride a 13-9 lead to the finish line. Derek Roman earned the win for the Mustangs. Mustangs advance to play Southern Maine Community College.