Old Orchard Beach – It’s true that baseball is a game played with nine players.
On Thursday night, however, Fayette Staples defeated Staples Crossingalmost entirely on the strength of its top four hitters; Chris Stasio, Sam Butts, Sam Canales and Alex Newton.
All four led the way for Fayette Staples to cruise to an easy 14-3 win, the Maine American Legion Zone 5 title, and a spot in the Maine American Legion State Tournament.
Standing out amongst the four was Canales, who went 3 for 3 at the plate, with two triples, two RBIs and two runs scored. Canales was one of Thornton Academy’s top hitters during the spring, hitting .357 with a home run and 14 RBIs.
“It feels good,” Canales said. “We went to the state tournament two years ago, and it’s definitely fun. I’m excited to get back.”
Stasio went 3 for 5 and scored four runs, Butts was 2 for 5 with one run and Newton was 2 for 4 with two RBIs.
Also included in the offensive output was Matt Turnage, who went 1 for 4 at the plate, with the one hit being a triple, and delivered two RBIs. Max Dube also added two RBIs.
The scoring floodgates opened for Fayette Staples in the seventh inning. Already holding on to a comfortable 7-3 lead, Canales led the inning off with his second triple of the gap, a shot into the right field gap. Newton walked immediately following, and Turnage plated Canales on a ground out to bring the score to 8-3. After Jack Kenney reached on a walk, Fred Randall and Alex Jacques were consecutively hit by pitches, scoring Newton, Dube hit a two-run single bring the score to 11-3.
Jacques and Dube scored on a two-run error, and Stasio scored the final run of the inning on a fielder’s choice to make the score 14-3.
“We were just seeing the ball well today, I guess,” Canales said.
Jeff Gelinas picked up the complete game win on the mound for Fayette Staples, giving up three runs on six hits and striking out five batters.
Fayette Staples will play a Zone runner up in the first round of the state tournament on July 28. The game will be played at Wainright Fields in South Portland.
Canales said the team understands there will be heavy competition at the start in the tournament. Amongst the teams participating will be Zone 4 champions Nova Seafood, comprised of players from Deering High School.
“We’re definitely going to face some good teams,” Canales said. “We’re going to have to bring our bats.”
— Contact Staff Writer Dave Dyer at 282-1535, Ext. 317.
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