Gardner brothers spark comeback, Dirigo crowned HNLL Majors Champion

Noah Gardner of Dirigo doubles to drive in two runs in the second inning. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Thursday night in Hampden, No. 2 ranked Dirigo Slipform over came a four run deficit in the second inning sending 19 batters to the plate and scoring 14 runs on their way to a 26-7 victory over No. 5 ranked Kiwanis to claim the 2008 Hampden-Newburgh Little League Majors Championship. Tristan and Noah Gardner combined for five RBIs in the second inning, and Kyle Clifford was a perfect 5-5 in the game.

James Gilmore of Kiwanis swings for a double in the first inning.
(Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Kiwanis took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first highlighted by a James Gilmore RBI double. After Dirigo added one run in the bottom half of the inning, Kiwanis came back with three more runs in the top of the second for a 5-1 lead. Gilmore again had the big hit with a 2-run double in the inning.

Robert Stowe of Kiwanis puts the ball in play and doubles during the second inning. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Jackson Gilmore sparked the Dirigo bats leading off the bottom half of the second with a double. 18 batters and 13 hits later Dirigo had taken a 15-5 lead and never looked back. Highlighting the inning was a Brandon Maillet 2-run home run, a bases clearing 3-run double by Tristan Gardner, a 2-run double by Noah Gardner, and a 2-run double by Keegan Quigley.

Brandon Maillet of Dirigo is all smiles after hitting a 2-run home run.
(Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Dirigo would continue to hit the ball well with big hits throughout the remainder of the game such as a home run by Tristan Gardner in the fifth inning, a Quigley 2-run double in the fourth inning, and a Clifford RBI double in the third and RBI single in the fourth.

Tristan Gardner of Dirigo plants both feet on home plate after hitting a home run in the fifth inning. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Providing the offense for Dirigo was Tristan Gardner (home run, double, two singles, four RBIs), Clifford (two doubles, three singles, two RBIs), Quigley (two doubles, two singles, four RBIs), Maillet (home run, two singles, three RBIs), Noah Gardner (double, two RBIs), Sam Jordan (two singles, two RBIs), Dakota Sudbeck (double, single, RBI), Ben Disalvatore (double), and Drew Gilmore (single).

Keegan Quigley of Dirigo was the winning pitcher in the game with four strikeouts over three innings. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Quigley was the winning pitcher working three innings and allowing four hits while walking three and striking out four. Sam Jordan closed the game with three innings of work allowing five hits and striking out three. He did not walk a batter.

Hitting for Kiwanis was Gilmore (three doubles, single, three RBIs), Robert Stowe (double, single), Kurt Townsend (double), and Richie Rawcliffe (single).

Congratulations to all the Dirigo players on a great season and an outstanding performance in the biggest game of the year.

Dirigo Slipform, the 2008 Hampden-Newburgh Little League Majors Champions. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

The Kiwanis players should be congratulated on an outstanding playoff performance coming out of the 5th seed. They proved you do not have to be the best in the league to be in the championship game, and should be very proud of their performance at the end of the season.

Click Here For Photo Gallery

Gilmore leads Kiwanis to upset victory, Dirigo squeaks out late win over Verizon

James Gilmore of Kiwanis swings for a home run in the fifth inning of Tuesday night's semifinal playoff game against FA Peabody. Gilmore helped lead Kiwanis to a 11-6 upset victory over the No. 1 seeded Peabody. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

In Majors baseball playoff action Tuesday night in Hampden, the No. 5 ranked Kiwanis earned it's second straight trip to the championship game with an 11-6 upset win over No. 1 ranked F. A. Peabody. Kiwanis lost to Peabody in the 2007 championship game.

Ben Foster of Kiwanis connects for a fourth inning single.
(Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Leading 4-1 after three innings, Kiwanis broke the game open with three runs in both the fourth and fifth inning to take a 10-2 lead into the sixth. Peabody rallied in the sixth for four runs to close the gap to 11-6 but could not overcome the nine run deficit they faced to start the inning. James Gilmore provided the highlight of the night ripping a home run in the fifth inning for his first homer of the year. Gilmore's homer was also the first home run hit off Peabody all-star pitcher Matt Martin.

FA Peabody Manager Perry Antone talks on the mound with his pitcher Matt Martin. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Providing the offense for Kiwanis was Gilmore (home run, double, single), Robert Stowe (double, single), Ben Foster (two singles), Kurt Townsend (two singles), Austin Ivey (single), and Richie Rawcliffe (single). Colin Vidas was the winning pitcher, working into the sixth inning.

Colin Vidas of Kiwanis delivers a pitch during his five plus innings of work. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Hitting for Peabody was Luther Vom Eigen (two singles), Martin (two singles), Jeremy Kelsey (two singles), Jake Maltz (single), CJ Warren (single), and John Field (single).

Kiwanis will face No. 2 Dirigo for the Hampden-Newburgh Little League Majors championship on Thursday, June 26. Dirigo squeaked out a come from behind 8-7 win over Verizon.

Click Here For Photo Gallery

On the Minor league field Tuesday night, No. 6 ranked Verizon nearly pulled off another upset but No. 2 Dirigo came from behind to score three runs in the bottom of the sixth for an 8-7 victory. Dirigo will face No. 5 Kiwanis in the championship game Thursday, June 26.

Keegan Quigley of Dirigo singles in the first inning. Quigley had three singles in the game. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Verizon held a 7-5 lead and needed three outs for the upset win as they headed into the bottom of the sixth inning. Matt Harris led of the inning for Dirigo with a walk. Jackson Gilmore singled, and Harris scored on a Tristan Gardner double. Keegan Quigley drove home the tying run with a single scoring Gilmore. Gardner then sent Dirigo to the championship game as he stole home with the winning run.

Hitting for Dirigo was Gardner (triple, double), Quigley (three singles), Kyle Clifford (triple, single), Brandon Maillett (single), Sam Jordan (single), Harris (single), Gilmore (single). Jordan picked up the win pitching the final two innings.

Cam Scott of Verizon slides safely into third base with a triple in the third inning. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Providing the offense for Verizon was Jordan Dysart (double, two singles), Cam Scott (triple), Michael Ward (double), Eric babbitt (single), Tyler Moore (single), David Manzo (triple).

Click Here For Photo Gallery

Verizon and Kiwanis upset higher seeds, advance to semifinals in Majors playoffs

Forrest Spang of Verizon singles in the third inning on Monday night. Spang helped lead Verizon to a 9-7 upset win over Dysart's in the Hampden-Newburgh Little League playoffs.
(Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Monday night in the Majors playoffs of the Hampden-Newburgh Little League, the lower seeded Verizon (No. 6) and Kiwanis (No. 5) both came away with victory's over higher seeded teams to advance to the semifinal round on Tuesday night.

Cam Scott of Verizon admires his new bat before his first trip to the plate. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Verizon scored three runs in the top of the first inning and never relinquished the lead as they upset No. 3 ranked Dysart's 9-7.

Trailing 9-4 heading into the bottom of the sixth, Dysart's got singles from Daniel Good, Noah Parker, and Ryan Manning to go with a Joey Doyon double to plate three runs but Verizon pitcher Eric Babbitt closed the game with a strike out to kill the rally and preserve the win.

Leading hitters for Verizon were Forrest Spang (two singles), Cam Scott (two singles), and Ryan Cole (two singles). Michael Ward was the winning pitcher.

Ryan Richards of Dysart's slides into first base to beat out an infield single. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Dysarts top hitters were Good (two singles), Parker (two singles), and Doyon (double, single).

Verizon will face No. 2 Dirigo Slipform on the Minors field at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 24 in a semifinal game. The winner will advance to the championship game on Thursday, June 26.

Click Here For Photo Gallery

Kiwanis (No. 5) overcame late inning deficits and battled back for a 15-14 victory over No. 4 HRH to advance to the semifinals on Tuesday night.

Kiwanis trailed 11-5 after the fourth inning, but rallied for four runs in the fifth while holding HRH to one run to close the gap to 12-9. Kiwanis put on the big finish in the sixth with six runs to take a 15-12 lead, and held HRH to two runs in the bottom of the sixth for the come from behind win.

Ben Foster swings for a single late in the game.
(Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Leading Kiwanis at the plate was Colin Vidas (home run, single), James Gilmore (two singles), and Ben Foster (two singles). Robert Stowe was the winning pitcher.

Ben Huston of HRH delivers a pitch. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

HRH was led at the plate by Matt Closson (triple, two singles) and Cameron Scott (two doubles, single).

Kiwanis advances to the semifinal round and takes on No. 1 F. A. Peabody at 5:45 p.m. on the Majors field. The winner advances to the championship game on Thursday, June 26.

Click Here For Photo Gallery

Majors baseball playoffs begin on Monday

With the regular season now concluded for the Majors baseball league, it is now time for the Hampden-Newburgh Little League playoffs to get underway.

The final standings (based on all games played and reported):

1. FA Peabody 15-3
2. Dirigo 14-6
3. Dysarts 10-9
4. HRH 9-9
5. Kiwanis 6-12
6. Verizon (No final record reported)

Playoffs begin Monday, June 23 with two games being played using both the Major field and the Minor field. On the Majors field No. 6 Verizon will be at No. 3 Dysart's. Down on the Minors field it will be No. 5 Kiwanis at No. 4 HRH. Defending champion FA Peabody (No. 1) and Dirigo Slipform (No. 2) both have a bye on Monday.

On Tuesday, June 24, the winner of the Kiwanis/HRH game will face FA Peabody in a semifinal game. The winner of the Verizon/Dysart's contest on Monday will play Dirigo in a semifinal game. The winner of Tuesday's games will square off (weather permitting) on Thursday, June 26 for the 2008 HNLL Championship.

Walmart Junior baseball sweeps Glenburn twin bill

Sam Good of Hampden rips an RBI single in the first inning of game one on Sunday in Glenburn. Hampden swept the twin bill 13-5 and 14-7. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Sunday in Glenburn the Hampden Walmart Junior League baseball team pounded out 23 hits and scored 27 runs as they completed a double header sweep of Glenburn. Hampden took the opening game 13-5 in six innings, and won the second game of the twin bill 14-7 as three pitchers combined on a 2-hitter.

In the opening game Cam Blood and John Pond combined for four hits and four RBIs to lead Hampden to the win.

Hampden took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, but Glenburn rebounded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Glenburn scored two more in the second to take a 4-3 lead. Hampden battled back with two runs in the third for a 5-4 lead, but Glenburn answered with four straight singles in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game at 5-5.

Andrew Closson of Hampden steadies himself after making a diving catch of a line drive late in game one. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Hampden scored two in the fourth on RBI singles by Blood and Cooper Antone to take a 7-5 lead and never trailed again.

Hitting for Hampden in game one was Blood (two singles, two RBIs), Pond (double, single, two RBIs), Cam Libbey (two singles, RBI), Sam Good (single, RBI), Caleb Nelson (single, RBI), Antone (single, RBI), and Ryan Dunton (single).

Providing the offense for Glenburn was Andrew caitlin (double, single, RBI), Devin Romain (two singles, RBI), Grady Hayes (single), Zach Blodgett (single), and Tyler Omler (single).

HAMPDEN PITCHING

John Pond (WP) 3IP, 6H, 5R, 0ER, 1BB, 1HB, 1K
Cam Libbey (SV) 3IP, 1H, 0R, 1BB, 1K

GLENBURN PITCHING

Brandon Thayer (LP) 4IP, 8H, 7R, 5ER, 4BB, 3K
Zach Blodgett 2IP, 2H, 6R, 3ER, 4BB, 3K


Maine Sports Report Score Board

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
HAMPDEN WALMART	3	0	2	2	4	2	X	13	10	5
GLENBURN	2	2	1	0	0	0	X	5	7	4

Click Here For Game 1 Photo Gallery

In game two Andrew Closson, Cam Libbey, and Cooper Antone combined on a two hitter as Hampden gained a 14-7 win.

Like the opening game of the day, Hampden scored three runs in the top of the first to take a 3-0 lead. They would never relinquish the lead as they scored in every inning. Seven walks, two hit batters, and four Hampden errors allowed Glenburn to score throughout the game.

Cooper Antone of Hampden looks to first base before throwing out the base runner during game two. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Hampden hitters were Antone (double, two singles, RBI), John Pond (two singles, two RBIs), Closson (two singles, RBI), Cam Blood (two singles, RBI), Sam Good (double, RBI), Libbey (single), Hank Bartlett (single), and Tim Coston (single).

Andrew Gatchell of Glenburn gets hit by a pitch in the sixth inning of game two. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Hitting for Glenburn was Chris McCue (double) and Tyler Omler (single).

HAMPDEN PITCHING

Andrew Closson (WP) 4IP, 2H, 4R, 2ER, 4BB, 1HB, 1K
Cam Libbey 2IP, 0H, 2R, 1ER, 1BB, 1HB, 1K
Cooper Antone 1IP, 0H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 0K

GLENBURN PITCHING

Nick Sherwood (LP) 4.1IP, 10H, 10R, 5ER, 3BB, 7K
Andrew Gatchell 1.2IP, 2H, 3R, 3ER, 1BB, 1HB, 0K
Chris McCue 1IP, 1H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 1K


Maine Sports Report Score Board

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
HAMPDEN WALMART	3	2	2	1	2	3	1	14	13	4
GLENBURN	1	0	2	1	1	1	1	7	2	6

Click Here For Game 2 Photo Gallery

FA Peabody ends regular season on high note

Matt Martin watches the ball sail off his bat as he rips an RBI double during Saturday's regular season finale against Dysart's. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Saturday afternoon in Majors baseball action, F A Peabody continued to rack up the hits and runs as they cruised to a 22-4 victory over Dysart's in both teams final regular season game.

Peabody is peaking just at the right time with the HNLL playoffs beginning on Monday, June 23. They have now scored an amazing 65 runs over their last 16 innings of play in three games.

Steve Charette of FA Peabody singles for his third hit in his last four at bats over the past two games. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Dylan Cray, Matt Martin, and Tyler Arbo combined on the four hit win on the mound for Peabody.

Paxton Oversmith of Dysart's gets the bat on the ball. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Doing the hitting for Peabody was martin (double, two singles, three RBIs), Luther Vom Eigen (triple, single, three RBIs), Jeremy Kelsey (two doubles, RBI), Jake Maltz (two singles, three RBIs), Nick Haggan (two singles, RBI), CJ Warren (single, RBI), and Steve Charette (single).

Nick Haggan of FA Peabody gets an RBI single.
(Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Joey Doyon of Dysart's watches the ball before ripping a single into right field. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Picking up hits for Dysart's were Joey Doyon (single), Dan Wirta (single), Dan Good (double), and Noah Parker (single).

Click Here For Photo Gallery

F A Peabody cruises past Kiwanis

Jeremy Kelsey of F A Peabody connects for a 2-run double during Peabody's 20-10 win over Kiwanis Friday night.
(Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Friday night in Majors baseball action, the F. A. Peabody bats were on fire as they pounded out 15 hits on their way to a 20-10 victory over Kiwanis.

Luther Vom Eigen of FA Peabody gets hit by a pitch leading off the game. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Peabody led 5-2 after the first inning, but Kiwanis took a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Peabody put the game away in the third inning with 10 runs and never looked back.

Hitting for Peabody was Matt Martin (two doubles, single, three RBIs), Jeremy Kelsey (double, single, four RBIs), Tyler Arbo (two singles, RBI), Luther Vom Eigen (double, single, RBI), Steven Charette (two singles-his first hits of the season), CJ Warren (single), Jake Maltz (single, two RBIs), and Nick Haggan (two singles, two RBIs). Kelsey picked up the win on the mound.

Ben Foster of Kiwanis waits to apply a tag to an FA Peabody runner. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)

Kiwanis hitters were Ben Foster (double, single, RBI), Colin Vidas (single, RBI), Jay Baines (single), Robert Stowe (two singles, three RBIs), and Tyler Lord (single).

Click Here For Photo Gallery