Blue Hill – With two outs left in the bottom of the sixth, and runners on first and third, junior Ben Parker stepped up to the plate in a tied, 0-0 Class C North quarterfinal game, against Bucksport pitcher Isaac Moore. After throwing two strikes down the pipe, Moore threw a ball into the dirt, which allowed sophomore Austin Snow to advance to second. Two pitches later, Parker cranked a shot to left center field, scoring two runs to give the No. 4 George Stevens Academy Eagles a 2-0 win on June 7.
Junior Ethan Vinall takes a turn around third base. Photo by Anne Berleant
George Stevens Academy senior Stefan Simmons was lights out from the mound, only allowing four hits while racking up 10 strikeouts and only walking two batters.
It was a pitcher’s duel for much of the game, as Moore only allowed four hits as well for the No. 5 Golden Bucks.
The Eagles were knocking on the door in the bottom of the third, as junior Ethan Vinall slapped a single to left field to get the offense going. Sophomore Owen Vinall came up and laid down a sacrifice bunt down the third base line to advance the runner to second, before sophomore Caden Mattson hit a single to center field. Vinall advanced to third on the hit, and Mattson stole second base as Snow stood in at the plate. Snow walked, and Simmons stepped in with bases loaded. After fouling off a couple pitches, Simmons made contact, but it was a pop up foul at first base and the Eagles stranded three.
Senior catcher Marshall Lebel throws the ball back to senior pitcher Stefan Simmons after a strikeout. Photo by Anne Berleant
Up 2-0 going into the seventh inning, Simmons made quick work of the first two Bucksport batters, striking both out on breaking balls before throwing a fastball that led to a ground out to third base as the Eagles recorded the win.
This was the rubber match between the two teams, which split the regular season 1-1.
George Stevens Academy now moves on to face top-seeded, undefeated Houlton, on the road, in the Class C North semifinals on June 9. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m.
The George Stevens Academy Eagles celebrate a Class C North quarterfinal win. Photo by Anne Berleant
Junior Ben Parker waits on second base after his two RBI double at the bottom of the sixth inning. Photo by Anne Berleant
Senior Gavin Mote stands at bat in the fifth inning. Photo by Anne Berleant
Sophomore Owen Vinall races to catch a pop fly. Photo by Anne Berleant