The Lincoln County Cardinals lost 14-7 to the Kennebec Sturgeons in the Pine Tree Men’s Baseball League season opener for both teams on Sunday, May 4 at Wiscasset Middle High School.
The Cardinals got off to a great start in their inaugural contest, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 3-0 lead in front of an enthusiastic crowd of more than 75 spectators. The Lincoln County lead was short lived as the Sturgeons rallied for eight runs over the next two innings to take the lead for good.
The pitchers and defenses for both teams worked through some opening day nerves and rustiness in what turned out to be a very high-scoring game. The pitchers combined to hit seven batters with pitches and walked another 16 as they struggled to get a firm grip while throwing balls that were wet due to the intermittent rain that threatened to postpone or delay the game.
The Cardinals fielders committed three errors in the game while the Sturgeons were credited with four miscues.
Gabe Morrison (2R, 1RBI, 1SB) led the Cardinals at the plate with a double and two singles. Julian Aponte (2R, 2SB), Cameron Crocker (1RBI), and Tyler Bailey (1RBI, 1SB) hit two singles apiece. Darius Pierpont (1R) ripped a triple, and Josh Doughty (1R, 1RBI), Jim Davis (1SB), and Logan Orr (1RBI, 1SB) each hit one single for Lincoln County.
Cardinals starting pitcher Cameron Crocker gave up six hits and eight runs (seven earned) over five innings. He struck out seven while walking nine.
Davis pitched four innings in relief of Crocker and gave up four earned runs on seven hits and three walks.
Adam Eutsler hit two doubles, scored a pair of runs and knocked in four to lead the Sturgeons offense. Chris Brady and Ryan Chaney collected three hits apiece for Kennebec, which had a total of 13 hits in the game.
