HODGDON, Maine — Home field proved advantageous for the Hodgdon baseball team Thursday as the Hawks held off a pesky Katahdin club to notch a 5-4 Class D North quarterfinal victory.
No. 3 Hodgdon (12-3 overall) advances to the semifinals to face No. 2 Woodland (12-3) Saturday at 3 p.m. in Baileyville. Hodgdon beat Woodland 7-4 May 8 in Baileyville, but lost 13-3 May 29 at Hodgdon.
Hodgdon was complimented this season with players from Greater Houlton Christian Academy as that school did not have enough students to field a baseball team.
Hodgdon pitcher Austin Winslow fires a pitch to the plate during Thursday’s Class D north quarterfinal against Katahdin. The Hawks won 5-4.
(Joseph Cyr)
In Thursday’s quarterfinal, Austin Winslow tossed five strong innings for the Hawks, scattering four runs (one earned) on seven hits and one walk, with three strikeouts. Andrew Tuttle pitched two scoreless innings of relief, allowing two hits and two walks.
For Katahdin, John McNally went the distance yielding five runs (four earned) on six hits and four walks, with five strikeouts.
Elijah Matheson and Brandon Matheson each had two hits to lead the Hawks. Tuttle and Kyle Carver each added a hit for the Hawks.
Leading the way for the Cougars were Bradley Hotham with three hits; Caleb Giles and Justin Hurlbert each with two hits; and Wesley Richardson and Jacob Fitzpatrick each with one hit.
“We had (runners on) first and third with no outs in the seventh,” Katahdin coach Tim Thoreson said. “We ran a hit and run, but it was a pop up back to the pitcher and they doubled up our runner at first.”
Katahdin pitcher John McNally, right, makes a nice catch in foul territory as Hodgdon baserunner Andrew Tuttle tries to avoid making contact as he runs to first during Thursday’s Class D North quarterfinal. Hodgdon won 5-4.
(Joseph Cyr)
Hodgdon then intentionally walked Hotham, the Cougars hottest hitter on the day and the next batter grounded out to second to end the game.
“I am very proud of how far our guys came over the season,” Thoreson added.
No. 6 Katahdin ends its season with an 11-5 overall record.
