CA boys suffer first-round upset
MARS HILL — Despite mustering only two hits, the Central Aroostook Panthers forced extra innings but ultimately came up short in Friday’s Eastern Maine Class D quarterfinal, losing to Bangor Christian, 8-6, in eight innings.
Staff photo/Mark Putnam
PLAYOFF ACTION — In top photo, CAHS first baseman Mike McClung receives the ball on a pickoff attempt during Friday’s game. At bottom, Ashland’s Ally Beaulier drops down a bunt Thursday against SAHS.
BC ended up beating Wisdom the following day and played Katahdin in yesterday’s regional final in Bangor. For the defending EM champion Panthers, they finished up with a 14-3 record.
Central Aroostook jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and the score stayed the same until the Patriots rallied for four runs in the top of the fourth off Panther starting pitcher Logan McLaughlin.
CA was able to get a run back in the bottom of the fifth to trail 4-3 at that point, but BC scored two more in the top of the sixth to lead by three.
Staff photo/Mark Putnam
EXTENDS THE GAME — Senior Logan McLaughlin of the Central Aroostook Panthers slides safely into home plate during a three-run rally in the seventh inning of Friday’s game in Mars Hill. Bangor Christian won the game in eight, 8-6.
The Panthers were able to capitalize on some pitching wildness in the bottom of the seventh inning. They drew five walks and scored three runs to tie the game.
However, in the top of the eighth, the Patriots were able to scrap for a pair of runs off Panther reliever Brendan York. Bradley Wilcox knocked in Zac Palmeter on a fielder’s choice for the first run, while the second came across when Marco Zegarra scored on a passed ball.
Palmeter and Zegarra each had two hits and two RBIs for Bangor Christian, who took a 10-8 record into last night’s championship game.
McLaughlin and Kyle Murray had the lone hits in the game for Central Aroostook.
