The Eagles celebrate a clutch 9th inning win over Bucksport May 28 in Blue Hill. By Anne Berleant
Blue Hill—Strong pitching and fast foot and glove work on the field kept the GSA-Bucksport score even at 0-0 on May 28 in Blue Hill through extra innings before George Stevens took the win 3-2. The win answered an earlier 2-6 loss to the Golden Bucks in their only previous meeting this season.
A double-play off a hard line drive caught by senior Stefan Simmons on the mound closed out the top of the 8th inning, but Bucksport answered with its own double play. The ninth inning opened with both teams sending in relief pitchers.
Eagle sophomore pitcher Austin Snow allowed a base hit off a grounder and a walk before a shot to center field allowed one run in with one out. The next batter was a strike out, before a grounder to midfield secured the Bucks a base hit and a second run. GSA was able to close out the inning with a catch in center field.
Bucksport led 2-0 as the Eagles went to bat in a do-or-die finish.
The Eagle infield huddles at the mound May 28 in Blue Hill. By Anne Berleant
Snow hit a grounder for a single, as did second-at-bat Caden Mattson, with Snow safe at second base by a hair. With one out, Simmons hit deep into left field for a single, leaving the bases loaded. Senior Tyler McKenney brought one run in off a base hit, and junior Tanner Ashley brought in two, sealing the 3-2 win.
Sophomore Caden Mattson slides home at the bottom of the ninth inning. By Anne Berleant
The Eagles limited the Bucks to five hits while Bucksport’s Brady Findlay, Owen Gaudreau and Chase Carmichael combined for an eight-hitter.
Senior pitcher Stefan Simmons kept Bucksport scoreless through eight innings May 28 in Blue Hill. By Anne Berleant
The teams will face each other in a quarterfinal matchup in Blue Hill on Thursday, June 7. The Eagles finish the regular season with a 11-5 record after a final 8-1 win over Deer Isle-Stonington, and are ranked fourth in the Heal Point Standings. The Bucks are 9-7 and ranked fifth. Both teams received a bye for the preliminary playoff games.
Tanner Ashley gets ready to steal second base. By Anne Berleant
Tyler McKenney swings on his way to a base hit in the bottom of the ninth inning. By Anne Berleant
Marshal Lebel holds down home plate. By Anne Berleant