Fourth ranked Wiscasset High School baseball team crushed number one seed Richmond, 9-3 on Saturday to advance to the West Class D Regional finals against Buckfield. The championship game is Wednesday, June 18 at 3 p.m. at St. Joseph College in Standish.
Wiscasset sophomore Daren Wood went the distance in the win and pitched a near perfect game with 11 strikeouts, two hits and no walks. “As of late he has turned into our number one pitcher,” said Wiscasset coach Mike Bowles. “He didn’t start out the season that way. He is taking on a leadership role like the seniors. He is calm and collected, and involved with every aspect of the game. With all the issues we had to face (this season), someone had to fill the role. He did an excellent job with that.”
Richmond had their number one hurler on the mound, undefeated Mike Stewart (7K,7H,7B, 9R), who took the loss. Brandon Emmons closed out the final one and a third innings (1B,1H,2K).
The game was originally scheduled for Saturday morning at 10 a.m., but moved to 2 p.m. due to a wet field.
The Wolverines batted around in the first inning, scoring four runs. Grant Hefler reached on an error, and Brycson Grover and Tyler Bailey walked to load up the bases for an RBI single to Woods, two run single to Nate Howard, and RBI error to Matt Craig.
Wiscasset added two runs in the top of the fifth to take a 6-0 lead. Chandler Longfellow drew a lead-off walk, went to second on a wild pick-off throw to first, and to third on a Craig single, to set up a two run single up the middle to Cass Carr.
Richmond cut the lead in half, scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Johanson singled, and Acorrd was hit by a pitch to set up an RBI single to B. Emmons. C. Emmons drove in two runs with an error.
Wiscasset answered the threat with three runs in the top of the sixth. Hefler reached on an error, Wood walked, Longfellow hit an RBI single, and Bailey walked to load up the bases. Howard reached on a fielder’s choice that saw Wood forced out at the plate. Craig drew a bases loaded walk for an RBI and Carr singled in a run for his fourth RBI of the day.
Hitting for Wiscasset were Carr and Howard with two singles each, and Hefler, Woods, Longfellow, and Craig, one each. Hitting for Richmond were B. Emmons and Johnson with a single each.
Wiscasset started the season with 16 players and dropped down to nine with a few weeks to go in the season. “We finished with 11 on the roster, and only nine playing,” Bowles said. “It is a testament to them. Everybody came together, despite the adversity with grades, kids dropping out and discipline issues. Most teams would have folded. It was the senior leadership with a couple of others. It was the kids’ will to win. I see it day in and day out.”
Wiscasset set lofty goals at the beginning of the season: to make it to the regional finals, and make a State championship appearance.
Bowles credits the Mt.Valley Conference for preparing his players for the playoffs. “I don’t think anything scares them after playing in the conference,” he said. “I am very pleased with how they have responded in the playoffs. It is their first playoff appearance in a long time. To reach a regional final for the seniors is huge. I am very happy for the kids. I think they are enjoying the ride. Hopefully it doesn’t end Wednesday.”
