McDonald lifts Ellsworth past Orono in opener

ORONO – Ben McDonald hit two doubles, scored twice and drove in a run to lead Ellsworth to the 5-3 schoolboy baseball victory against Orono Saturday.

John Nybe earned the win in long relief, striking out six batters over six innings in the season opener for both squads. Tim McDonald, Ben Donaldson and Chris Massengale each added two singles.

For Orono, Robey Rhoads hit an RBI double to give the Red Riots a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

Ellsworth (1-0) 000 212 0 – 5 10 4 Orono (0-1) 200 100 0 – 3 4 2

Facciollo, Nybe (2) and Massengale; Perry, Munn (5) and Poulin

Piscataquis 18, Foxcroft 0

At Guilford, Todd Tufts’ perfect game was ruined by a two-out single in the top of the seventh inning, but Tufts hung on to post the shutout for the Piscataquis of Guilford.

Tufts struck out 14 batters and walked none for his two-hitter. Rich Hitchner went 4-for-5 with three singles and a solo home run. Tufts added a three-run home run and a single.

Seth Sands broke up the no hitter with a single.

Foxcroft (0-1) 000 000 0 – 0 2 4 Piscataquis (1-0) 571 014 x – 18 9 0

Hartford, Levesque (2), Day (6) and Peterson; Tufts and White

Softball

Piscataquis 34, Foxcroft 24

At Guilford, the batters got the early-season kinks out as Piscataquis of Guilford cruised.

Maris Leavitt led the way with a 4-for-4 day with four singles and three runs batted in, and Jen Moore stroked a double and three singles, driving in four runs for the Pirates. Meagan Larabee added a single, double, and two RBIs.

Kelly Dow whacked a grand slam and a solo home run for Foxcroft. Ashley Dow was perfect at the plate with three singles, a double, and three RBIs, and Amy Fogan added two singles, a double, and two RBIs.

Foxcroft (0-1) 443 800 3 – 24 13 3 Piscataquis (1-0) 9(13)0 273 x – 34 13 3

Kimball, Gentry (2), Scott (4) and Warren; Craig, Smiley (4) and Kelly

Ellsworth 9, Orono 6

At Orono, Lynn Patterson broke open a tied game with a two-run single in the sixth inning.

Meghan Spencer doubled and Patterson added another single for the Eagles.

Laine Ballard and Ashley Simpson each doubled to pace Orono.

Ellsworth (1-0) 003 024 0 – 9 7 3 Orono (0-1) 001 401 0 – 6 4 4

Forst, Dam (4), Patton (5) and Smith; Ballard and Fergunson