STANDISH — Wiscasset jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and used the steady pitching of Tyler Bailey to beat Buckfield 4-0 for the Western Class D baseball title Wednesday afternoon at St. Joseph’s College.
The fourth-seeded Wolverines (10-9) captured their first regional championship with another display of strong defense and pitching. Wiscasset will play two-time defending champion Bangor Christian for the state title at 3 p.m. Saturday at Mansfield Stadium in Bangor.
“That’s been our hallmark for the whole tournament. We’ve given up only three runs,” Wiscasset Coach Mike Bowles said of his team’s pitching and defense.
“We beat a very quality team. Their pitcher threw strikes and we made him work because we knew he threw 90 pitches on Saturday.”
Bailey, a sophomore, allowed four hits. Buckfield left-hander Jonah Williams gave up eight hits, three days after he struck out 16 and allowed just two hits in a 2-0 semifinal win over Searsport.
“Tyler pitched extremely well,” said Bowles. “He got into some situations but was able to get out of them. That was a confidence booster for him. His defense made the plays behind him. Getting out to a quick lead helped to ease our nerves.”
Second-seeded Buckfield (11-5) got only two runners as far as third base against Bailey.
“My pitches were pretty consistent the whole game. My defense was amazing. Getting the early lead really helped me out. It gave me a lot of confidence,” said Bailey.
Grant Hefler opened the game with a single to left field. Bryson Grover reached on a throwing error, and a single by Daren Wood loaded the bases. Chandler Longfellow’s fly ball to left field scored Hefler. A groundout by Bailey made it 2-0.
That was all the Wolverines needed.
In the fourth, Matt Craig tripled down the right-field line and scored on a wild pitch to make it 3-0. Craig scored again in the sixth when he walked, moved to second on a fielder’s choice and came home on Hefler’s single to left.
Wiscasset ended the game with three strong plays. Hefler charged a slow roller and threw out the runner for the first out. Grover caught a sinking liner at second, and Bailey speared a grounder and threw to first to end it.
Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com
Twitter: TomChardPPH
Send questions/comments to the editors.
