HOULTON, Maine — The District 3 Little League 10-11-year-old championship was captured Sunday in a close game separated only by a run throughout the six innings.
The Bangor West team came from behind to pick up the 4-3 victory and the title in the second game between these two teams in the tournament.
The tournament featured only three teams from Houlton, Bangor West and Brewer/Orrington.
Bangor West opened the game on Sunday with a run when Max Clark reached on an error and scored on Cole Neale’s base hit. Neither team was able to score in the second.
In the top of the third, Houlton tied the game as Silas Graham singled and advanced on Nolan Hodgkins base hit. Collin Moody then provided an RBI-single. But, Bangor West came back to take the lead again as Clark singled and stole second on a pass ball and third on a wild pitch. Jack Perron’s hit brought in Clark for a 2-1 lead.
Jadon Gentle started Houlton’s offense in the fourth with a double and scored on Garret Harvey’s single to tie the game 2-all, as Bangor West was retired in the bottom of the frame without scoring.
In the fifth inning, Houlton regained the lead 3-2 after Moody singled, stole second and then scored on Kurtis Reynolds base hit.
In the bottom of the fifth, Houlton’s Harvey, who allowed two runs on four hits, with six strikeouts was relieved by Graham.
Bangor West scored the tying and game-winning runs in the bottom of the fifth. Gavin York reached base on an error and advanced his way around the bases. He scored on a passed ball to tie the game. Kevin Austin reached first and with aggressive running, caused Houlton to throw the ball around, as he scored on two fielding miscues.
Houlton did not give up. With two outs, Houlton had runners at first and third. The game ended on a line drive to the second baseman.
York went five and two-thirds innings for Bangor West, striking out five and giving up six hits.
In their second game of the tournament, Houlton raced by Brewer/Orrington, 12-2 to end the game by the mercy rule.
Houlton got an early lead and scored often in the game. In the first, the Houlton all-stars plated four runs after Hodgkins doubled and Moody hit an RBI-single. Reynolds brought in Moody on a single and then he scored on a wild pitch and pass ball. Haven Hanning singled and scored on an RBI-groundout by Logan Tapley.
In the second, Houlton struck for six more runs after Harvey doubled and Graham hit an RBI-triple. Moody then singled to bring in Graham. Reynolds reached on an error and Hanning brought in both runners with a double. Jed Gilpatrick reached first on a dropped third strike and Brock Thompson unloaded with a two-run double.
Houlton continued to add runs, as in the fourth, Harvey reached base on a dropped third strike and scored on Graham’s RBI-double. Hodgkins then hit a run-scoring single, as Houlton led 12-0.
Brewer/Orrington finally got on the scoreboard in the fourth, scoring two runs on a walk, error and a two-run single by Evan Glass.
Graham earned the win on the mound, scattering three hits and striking out nine.
In Houlton’s tournament opener on July 11, they faced Bangor West and came away with a 5-2 win.
Graham drove in two runs with a double and a single and Tapley had a double and an RBI. Harvey picked up the win in five innings of three-hit, eight-strikeout ball.
Hodgkins had a single and an RBI for the winners.
For Bangor West, Brandy Hand had a double and an RBI and Joey Morrison and Perron each singled.
Houlton took a 2-0 lead in the first when Graham doubled and scored on Hodgkins’ single. Isaiah Gentle was the pinch runner for Hodgkins and scored on a passed ball.
Clark reached base on a dropped third strike and advanced around the base path on a wild pitch and pass ball before scoring on a fielder’s choice.
Houlton would do more damage in the middle innings, as in the third, Moody singled and moved around the bases on two wild pitches before scoring on Reynolds’ groundout.
In the fourth, Harvey drew a walk and scored on Tapley’s double and in the sixth, Gentle walked, stole a base and scored on Graham’s base hit.
Bangor West scored its second run on a leadoff walk to Perron, who scored on single. With one out and bases loaded, Houlton’s Graham struck out two batters to finish the game.
