The No. 3 Houlton Shires fell to No. 11 Calais Blue Devils, 12-5, in last Thursday’s Class C quarterfinal game held at the Bob Ruth Field in Community Park.
The Shiretowners never really got on track with a team they had split with during the regular season, with each team winning on their home field.
Noah Holmes was a catalyst for the Shiretowners with two hits to drive in two runs, while Ryan Dee had a pair of hits to bring in one run and scored twice himself. Ethan Bouchard stroked two singles, while Billy Phillips had a hit and an RBI. Gage Hunt and Jake Drew each had a hit, as well.
The Blue Devils opened the game with a couple of runners reaching base and scored their first run in the second. In the third, the Shires played a bit shaky, giving up a walk to start the inning and then an error and passed ball led to three Calais runs for a 4-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second, the Shires came back with a run. With two outs and Dee on base, Bouchard reached base after being hit by a pitch and then Drew drove in Dee.
The Shires held Calais scoreless over the fourth and fifth, while they added three runs. With two outs in the fourth, Nick Botting and Dee were both on base and had moved into scoring position when Holmes hit a blooper just over the infield to bring in both runners. In the fifth, Dan Howe drove in Drew to tie the game at 4-all.
The sixth inning did not play out well for the Shires, as Calais rallied for a five-run inning taking advantage of Houlton errors and then settled for three more runs in the seventh en route to the win.
The Shiretowners committed six errors in the game and seven of Calais’ runs were unearned.
“Our greatest strength during the regular season was that we did not beat ourselves in any of our losses,” explained Houlton coach Jim Castner. “But, in this game, we did.”
Though disappointed with the outcome of the Class C quarterfinal round, Castner also sees a promising season ahead, as the Shiretowners lost only Gage Hunt and Kole Buzzeo to graduation.
“Gage had an incredible season leading the team in batting average, RBIs and home runs,” said Castner. “Kole was able to come back from knee surgery and contribute in the final two games of the season.”
The rest of the Shires’ lineup returns for another season and Castner said, “We should be better and better.”
Last year, the Shiretowners lost in the prelims and this year their goal was to have a home playoff game.
“Next year, our goal will be to win a home playoff game,” said Castner. “We took a step forward this year and we can take another next year.”
Calais fell to Washington Academy 10-0 in the semifinals.
