Seven-run third helps Tigers defeat Penquis
DEXTER — Seven runs, six of which came with two outs, in the home half of the third inning helped Dexter Regional High School break open an April 28 Class C North baseball contest vs. regional rival Penquis Valley High School. The Tigers would finish with a baker’s dozen run total on the scoreboard to win 13-4.
With the game 2-0 in the bottom of the third, the Tigers (who improved to 3-1) loaded the bases with no outs. Penquis (1-1) then got two quick outs on a flyout and fielder’s choice at the plate to become one out away from preventing any further damage.
Junior Tylor Handy then sent the ball into leftfield for a single to drive in seniors Brayden Miller and Zach White to double the Dexter lead from 2-0 to 4-0.
With junior Matthew Hanscome due up, the Patriots made a change on the mound as senior Justin Valvo relieved sophomore starter Jeremy Martin. A double steal then put two Tigers in scoring position for Hanscome.
Hanscome followed Handy at the plate by also hitting the ball through a hole in the left side of the infield. Junior Matthew Richards and Handy were both off with the pitch and the pair scored on Hanscome’s multiple-RBI single.
Two plate appearances later a ball off the bat of freshman Nathan Richards was dropped in rightfield to bring home both Hanscome and sophomore Trever Richards and up the Dexter advantage to 8-0.
The eight-run advantage gave the Tigers a margin for error as Penquis picked up four runs in the top of the fourth. Martin put the Patriots on the scoreboard as he ran in from third on a throwing error, and Valvo followed by driving in sophomore Kenny Cail on an RBI-single to leftfield.
Back-to-back singles by freshman Camron Bailey and senior Jacob White loaded the bases as Dexter starter freshman Gabriel Stone recorded a strikeout for out No. 2 of the fourth.
Senior Clayton Preble stepped into the batter’s box next and he redirected a Stone pitch into centerfield to drive in Valvo and Bailey to cut the deficit in half at 8-4. Preble picked up a game-high three hits as he finished 3-of-4 at the plate with a Patriot-best two RBIs.
Dexter would get the four runs back and one more in the team’s ensuing turn at bat. Hanscome and junior Tyler Beem each scored on wild pitches, Trever Richards and White were both driven in on respective singles by Beem and Matthew Richards and an error enabled Miller to come home for one of his contest-best three runs scored.
Stone earned the victory on the mound with four innings of work as Nathan Richards pitched the fifth, sixth and seventh. Martin and Valvo nearly evenly split the duties for Penquis with 3.2 and 3.1 respective innings of work.
The two teams are scheduled to play again in Milo on Monday, May 15 at 4:30 p.m.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
COMING HOME — Dexter senior Brayden Miller rounds the bag on his way to scoring on Zach White’s single to rightfield in the bottom of the first during an April 28 game vs. Penquis. The Tigers earned a 13-4 victory against the Patriots.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
SQUEEZE PLAY — Junior first baseman Tylor Handy makes the catch to end the top of the first during Friday’s game between Dexter and Penquis. The two teams are scheduled to play again in Milo on May 15.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
PATRIOTS’ STARTER — Sophomore Jeremy Martin got the start on the mound at Dexter. He and senior Justin Valvo split the pitching duties with 3.2 and 3.1 innings of work for the Penquis starter and reliever respectively.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
EARNING THE VICTORY — Tiger freshman Gabriel Stone picked up the win vs. Penquis on April 28 as he tossed four innings.