Rams scrap back to trip Indians

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BANGOR – Tuesday afternoon’s baseball game may be remembered as the one in which the young Rams quickly came of age.

It was already a big one for Bangor as unbeaten Old Town was one of the most experienced teams in Eastern Maine with a starting lineup made up exclusively of seniors and juniors. Bangor’s starting lineup consists of four seniors – only two of whom had a lot of starting experience – along with four sophomores and two juniors.

When the veteran Indians jumped on sophomore starting pitcher Josh Young in the first with three runs as four of the first five batters got hits, it looked like Bangor would be in for some growing pains.

Instead, the Rams played more like grizzled veterans as they scrapped back with a run here and a run there while Young settled down nicely. In the end, the Rams posted an impressive 6-3 victory.

“They scored those three runs quick and I figured, ‘Oh no,’ but we chipped away and chipped away,” said coach Jeff Fahey, whose Rams improved to 4-1. “We’re young, but we compete, and we’re getting better every game.”

And every inning.

Bangor scratched for one run in the second without a hit as the Indians issued a walk, committed two errors, and hit a Rams batter. The Rams threatened for more, but a 1-2-5 double play saved the Indians from further damage.

Rather than dwell on missed opportunities, Bangor came back strong in the third as Chris Bombardier hit a one-out double to right-center and scored on Andy Treadwell’s single up the middle. Treadwell took second on the throw and scored the tying run on Buddy Nickerson’s bloop single down the right field line.

The Rams took the lead for good as Kevin Proctor, Bombardier, and Treadwell led off the fifth with singles. One out after Treadwell’s RBI single, Nickerson drove in another run with a bunt single. Treadwell plated the last run with a two-out double to center in the sixth.

“I think everyone’s doubting us this year, but I don’t think they realize the young talent we have is incredible,” Treadwell said. “I think Josh is one of the best sophomore pitchers in the state and we’re glad to have him.”

After getting tagged for doubles by Chris Rand and Brian Tewhey and RBI singles by Brad Goody and Roger Cole in the first, Young allowed three singles the rest of the game while notching nine strikeouts and no walks.

“I started getting better location after the first inning and got in a groove, and my teammates took care of the offense,” said Young.

Young (2-0) threw 68 of 105 pitches for strikes as he mixed a curve and a serviceable changeup in with his fastball.

“He definitely got better as the game went on. You could see it, especially in the last inning,” said coach Matt Haney, whose Indians are now 5-1-1. “For a young kid, that’s pretty impressive.”

Bombardier (double, single) joined Treadwell and Nickerson in the multi-hit club as Bangor finished with 10 or more hits for the fifth straight game.

RAMS 6, INDIANS 3

Old Town (5-1-1) Bangor (4-1)

Player AB R H BI Player AB R H BI

Rand, p-lf 4 1 1 0 Hall, rf 4 1 0

Goody, 1b 3 1 1 1 Proctor, 1b 4 1 0

Tewhey, 3b-p 3 1 1 0 Bombardier, ss 3 2 0

Tidwell, ss 3 0 1 0 Treadwell, lf 4 1 3

Cole, c 3 0 1 1 Young, p 4 1 0

Brown, rf 3 0 0 1 Nickerson, cf 3 0 2

J.Guerrette, cf 3 0 1 0 Shain, 1b 2 0

Pease, dh 3 0 1 0 M.LaRochelle, dh 2 1

Stormann, 2b 0 0 0 0 Willette, c 0 0 0

Emerson, lf 3 0 0 0 N.LaRochelle,2b 3 0 0

Dupuis, 3b 0 0 0 0 a-Clark 0 0 0 0

Totals 28 3 7 3 Totals 29 6 10 6

a-ran for N. LaRochelle in sixth

Old Town 300 000 0 ? 3

Bangor 012 021 x ? 6

E?Stormann, Tidwell; Proctor, Shain; LOB?Old Town 4, Bangor 8; 2B?Rand, Tewhey; Bombardier, Treadwell; DP?Rand-Cole-Treadwell

Old Town IP H R ER BB SO

Rand (L, 2-1) 4 4 4 3 3 1

Tewhey 2 6 2 2 0 2

Bangor IP H R ER BB SO

Young (W, 2-0) 7 7 3 3 0 9

HBP? M.LaRochelle (Rand); WP?Young; PB?Cole; T?1:41; ATT?73