Patriots getting ready for playoffs

The Presque Isle Patriots’ American Legion baseball team is preparing for its first-round game of the District 1 playoff tournament, being held at the Winkin Complex on the Husson College campus in Bangor Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. The Patriots are the No. 5 seed and will take on the second-seeded Bangor Comrades. The tournament will continue through Monday, with the top two teams advancing to the state tournament at St. Joseph’s College in Windham Aug. 4-8.
Presque Isle came within a game of reaching the state event a year ago, finishing in third place. Coach Richard Parsons is hopeful the team will be able to take that extra step with a strong tourney this weekend.
“We’re starting to hit the ball again,” said Parsons, whose team won its final three games of the regular season to finish with a 12-8 record. “As long as the pitching holds up, we’ll be fine.”
Andrew York of Mars Hill, who has pitched well in his last two outings, will get the starting nod against Bangor Friday afternoon. “If he brings his A game, we’ve got a good chance,” Parsons added.
Last Tuesday, York pitched a three-hit shutout as the Patriots defeated Motor City, 6-0. Logan York of Presque Isle, Mike Cleary of Houlton and Hunter Caron of Houlton had two hits apiece, while Harry Austin of Houlton hit a solo homer and Pat Thibodeau of Caribou drove in a pair of runs with a single and a sacrifice fly.
The Patriots clinched their playoff berth Sunday with an 8-6 win over Penquis. Andrew York went the first seven innings and was impressive, allowing just two runs.
Desjardins was the hitting star with a homer, a double and a pair of singles. Cleary homered and doubled and Austin chipped in with a pair of singles in the 13-hit attack.
The Patriots wrapped up their regular season Monday with a 21-5 home triumph over Lincoln. Caron had a grand slam home run and a two-run triple to lead the offense, while Tom Desjardins of Fort Kent continued his hot hitting with another homer.
Tyler Lamoureux of Presque Isle earned the win on the mound.
Trenton finished first in the Zone 1 regular season standings with an 18-2 record. Bangor came in at 17-3, followed by Waldo with a 15-5 mark. Brewer and the Patriots had identical 12-8 records, while the final team to qualify for the playoffs was Penquis, who ended up 10-10.         Missing out on the post-season were Orono, Lincoln, Hampden, Motor City and Calais.