Wiscasset State D Runners-Up

Grant Hefler dives into third base safe on a passed ball. (Paula Roberts photo)

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The Bangor Christian Patriots needed extra innings to put away a tough Wiscasset Wolverines team to claim their third straight Maine Class D baseball championship June 22.

The Wolverines kept the Patriots under wraps for the first five innings, while building a 4-1 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth.

Bangor, who hit the ball hard all game, plated two runs in the bottom of the sixth and one in the seventh to tie the game at 4-4 and force extra innings. Bangor won the game in the eighth when Alexander McKenney reached on an error, moved over on a bunt single to Zac Palmeter and fielder’s choice to Joshua Palmeter, and scored on a Cody Collins single.

The state title game was held at the impressive Mansfield Stadium, built by Stephen and Tabitha King, which included a team training room and private bathroom off the dugout.

Wiscasset got on the boards in the top of the second inning when senior Chandler Longfellow reached on an error, moved over on a Tyler Bailey sacrifice bunt, and scored on a single from senior Nate Howard.

The Wolverines added a run in the third. Grant Hefler reached on a fielder’s choice, Brycson Grover was hit by a pitch and Daren Wood was intentionally walked to load up the bases. Longfellow rapped a single to left to score Hefler.

Bangor Christian scored a run in the fourth on an RBI single to Tucker Rice, scoring Collins to pull within one, 2-1.

Wiscasset scored a run in the fifth on back to back doubles from Wood and Longfellow (RBI) to take a 3-1 lead. Starter Daren Wood pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the fifth, thanks in part to a nice running catch by Matt Craig in center field.

The Wolverines added a run in the top of the sixth to take a 4-1 lead. Matt Craig singled, stole second and scored on a single from senior Cas Carr.

Bangor scored two runs in the sixth to pull within one, 4-3. Rice singled and Dean Grass and McKenney walked to load up the bases for a two run single to Zac Palmeter. Wiscasset starter Wood, struck out Josh Palmeter to get out of the two runners on jam.

Wiscasset went down in order in the seventh. Patriot Collins drew a seventh inning walk, stole second and scored on a Rice single to knot the game at 4-4. Tyler Flavin made a nice catch in left field and Wood struck out Bryon Boutot to end regulation in a 4-4 tie.

Howard drew a one out walk in the eighth and stole second, but was left stranded when relief pitcher Collins retired the side with two strikeouts. Bangor rallied in the home half of the eighth to claim the title.

Daren Wood started (6I,9H,3K,3B,4R), and Longfellow pitched two innings in relief (1R, 1K,4H, 0B). Bangor relief pitcher Collins collected the win (2I, 4K,1B,0H) in relief of starter Seth Pearson (6I,5K,0B,1HP,8H).

Hitting for Wiscasset were Longfellow with a double and single, Carr two singles, Wood a double, and Howard, Craig, and Tyler Flavin a single each. Hitting for Bangor Christian were Z. Palmeter four singles, Rice and Collins three singles each, and Kyle Holmes, Pearson, and McKenney a single each.

Wiscasset coach Mike Bowles has praised his senior leadership all season.

“It started from day one, with Chandler (Longfellow) kind of leading the charge. He kind of took hold of everything,” Bowles said. “From day one, having him there, kept everyone else up and ready to go. Cas (Carr) and Nate (Howard) just followed suit. Everyone just looked up to them, and ran with it.

“Their leadership made it easier for me, as a first year coach, to run the program like I wanted to. They helped bring the boys along. Toward the end of season you saw that senior leadership. It was a huge part of why we had success this year.”

Wiscasset started the season with 16 players, and through grade trouble, disciplinary actions and drop outs, they found themselves with just nine players midway through the season. “When you are down to nine, you are constantly on the edge of your seat,” Bowles said. “When someone goes down for a minute or two, you’re like please don’t get injured. I’m sure I had kids playing sick or injured, but they didn’t tell me. With only nine guys there is only so much you can do. They had a trooper mentality, and battled through it.”

“Going into the game I knew Bangor Christian was a good hitting team,” Bowles said. “They were well aware Bangor Christian, who out scored their opponents 31-2 in the playoffs, were going to put the bat on the ball. It was no secret they were going to hit the ball. We had to limit their damage. They got runners on early, and we were able to limit the damage.

“I had Daren (Wood) on the mound, and had full confidence in him. He got in a little trouble and I thought about taking him out, but he loves to battle. I had full confidence in Chandler (Longfellow). The experience Bangor Christian has had playing in state games the last couple of games kind of kicked in. It was tough.”

“It was a tough way to end the season,” Bowles said of the loss. “It took a couple of hours for them to sit back and say this is what we actually did this season. We played our hearts out, left everything on the field. It is going to sting for awhile, to take the lead and lose the way we did.

“There are lots of positive attitudes. The seniors know what they accomplished. They have set the precedent for next year. They know now what it takes to play at that level and what it takes to win at that level. It was a very positive experience.”

“We’re losing Chandler, Nate and Cas. They were a big part of the (offensive) support this year. It is going to be tough to lose that production. With the guys coming back, with this season under their belt, they are going to be hungrier, and be back at it next March,” Bowles said.

“I am very proud of the work they have done. This community now has a sense of pride, with the success of the baseball program. I think it will fuel other programs, like soccer and basketball. I am very excited about what the future holds,” Bowles said.