Pirates miss out on attempt to sweep No. 2 Stearns

By Bill Pearson
Staff Writer

    GUILFORD — It’s not often that a 2-10 squad looks forward to the No. 2 team in standings coming to town. But on May 15, the No. 12 Piscataquis Pirates baseball team was excited about the 8-2 Stearns Minutemen arriving in Guilford. Piscataquis had managed only two victories this season, but one of them was an April 27 9-4 victory against the Minuetmen.

Observer photo/Bill Pearson

    SWING AND A MISS — Piscataquis shortstop Tristan French takes a swing on a Zach Bouchard pitch on May 15. The Pirates scored one run on four hits as Bouchard pitched a complete game in leading Stearns to a 6-1 victory in Guilford. Each Pirate hit was a single. French, Spencer Martel, Cody White and Jeremy Bell accounted for the hits.

    Piscataquis’ two wins are good enough to place them in twelfth place in the Heal Points standings. The Pirates upset victory over Stearns has single-handedly kept them in post-season contention. Piscataquis’ two wins still have them ahead of three other teams in the standings with better records.
    The Pirates are just one spot out of a potential playoff appearance. The prospect of sweeping the season series against Stearns and capturing a bounty of Heal Points put added importance in Piscataquis’ post-season aspirations during their May 15 contest.
    In an attempt to duplicate his team’s earlier performance, Piscataquis Coach John Riitano sent sophomore lefthander Nate Burns back to the mound to face Stearns hurler Zach Bouchard. The same two pitchers faced off against each other in Millinocket earlier in the season.
    However, the sequel turned out differently than the first encounter, as the Minutemen showed why they have emerged as one of the top teams in Eastern Maine Class C. Stearns used a combination of solid pitching, timely hitting and a strong defensive effort to earn a 6-1 victory.
    “They’re a good team for a reason,” Riitano said. “Stearns did everything a little bit better than we did. They didn’t make any errors. And when we did hit the ball hard, it was right at somebody.”
    Stearns scored twice in the second inning aided by two base hits and a series of wild pitches and passed balls. With one out, designated hitter Dylan Martin, who reached on a fielder’s choice, scored after the second wild pitch. The second run came with two outs as Lucas McLean, who singled, stole second and advanced to third on a Pirate error. He later scored on a wild pitch.
    Burns pitched six innings and allowed six runs, on 10 hits, struck out three and walked two. Stearns scored again in the third to extend their lead to 3-1. Minutemen later erupted for three more runs in the fifth inning. Their rally included five straight singles with four coming after two were out.
    Riitano believed his team’s 10th loss was due to the opponents being a “little bit better” in all aspects of the game.
    “Nate pitched a good game for us. He didn’t have as good of a curveball as he had in the first game, but he used his others pitches — a fastball and changeup — effectively against a real good lineup,” Riitano said.
    Piscataquis managed four hits against Bouchard who pitched a complete game. The Stearns hurler struck out three and walked four. Spencer Martel scored the Pirates’ only run in the third inning. He singled and later advanced to home on Paul Johnston’s sacrifice fly. All four Pirate hits were singles: Martel, Tristan French, Cody White and Jeremy Bell.
    As the regular season nears completion, the final four games are crucial to the Pirates’ effort to capture the eleventh spot in the standings to earn a playoff berth. Piscataquis needs to turn those narrow losses into victories in the season’s final two weeks.
    Riitano indicated his team’s game on May 17 versus Schenck was imperative to their post-season chances. Schenck (2-8) is No. 12 in the Eastern Maine Class D standings, but the Wolvervines prevailed 5-1 to drop PCHS’ record to 2-12.
    Despite the losing record, Riitano believes his team has been more competitive this year than in seasons past. Piscataquis lost close contests to No. 3 Dexter, 8-5, on May 6, and to No. 11 Lee Academy, 10-9, on May 1. Riitano believes his team is just a few key hits away from winning games on a consistent basis. Cutting down on their strikeouts and displaying a positive attitude have played a huge role in the Pirates’ performance on the diamond.
    “We are a much improved ball club,” Riitano said. “Our players have also displayed a better attitude this season. They are supportive of one another which has resulted in our improved play. It may not be evident in the standings, but it is on the field.”
    The Pirates’ next game is on Thursday against Foxcroft Academy (11-1) who is No. 3 in the Eastern Maine Class B standings.

Observer photo/Bill Pearson

    PIRATE PITCHER — Piscataquis pitcher Nate Burns fires a pitch on May 15 as the Pirates looked to defeat No. 2 Stearns for the second time this season. Piscataquis beat Stearns on April 27, but in the rematch, the Minutemen used a combination of solid pitching, timely hitting and strong defense to earn a 6-1 victory.