Four-run inning helps Tigers top Penquis Valley
By Stuart Hedstrom
Staff Writer
DEXTER — One play ended up making a huge difference during a May 2 Class C East contest on the diamond between Dexter Regional High School and Penquis Valley High School, as the fourth inning could have ended 2-0 in favor of the home team but instead the score was 6-0 when Dexter’s turn in the batter’s box came to an end. The six runs helped the Tigers earn a 9-1 victory over the regional rivals.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
SLIDE ON IN — Junior Daytona Gould of Dexter Regional High School scores as a throw to Penquis Valley High School sophomore pitcher Noah Allen, covering the plate, is off the mark during the home half of the third inning of a May 2 game. Four runs in the bottom of the fourth helped the Tigers earn a 9-1 victory.
In the bottom of the fourth Dexter loaded the bases but two outs were on the scoreboard to put the Patriots one away from getting out of the inning. Junior Jacob Sinclair then sent a pitch from Penquis sophomore starter Noah Allen up into the air above rightfield.
The baseball ended up dropping onto the grass for a hit as all three base runners were off with the pitch. Freshman Zachary White scored first and then junior Joshua Smith came home and freshman Brayden Miller was right behind as Sinclair drove in three runs on the double. He would finish with a pair of doubles and four RBIs, both game-highs.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
TRIPLE TROUBLE — Senior Cody Cobb stands at third base after a two-out triple in the top of the fifth inning on May 2 at Dexter. Moments later head coach/third base coach David Hainer successfully sent Cobb home on a wild pitch.
Sinclair was credited with a double, but as Penquis threw home to try to get an out he ran to third. The ensuing throw toward the bag ended up missing the mark and going into leftfield as Sinclair kept running. He slid across the plate for Dexter run No. 6 as he ended up with a trip around the bases in the at-bat.
In the top of the fifth Penquis senior Cody Cobb hit a shot off Dexter senior Nathan Robichaud deep down the rightfield line. Cobb ran to second and took a turn to get to third safely for the triple. With senior teammate Trevor Lyford at the plate, a wild pitch rolled to the backstop.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
THREE-HITTER — Senior Nathan Robichaud earned the victory on the mound for Dexter over Penquis, as he scattered three hits across six innings. Robichaud also struck out nine and walked five.
Lyford quickly got out of the batter’s box as Patriot head coach David Hainer, positioned at third base, sent Cobb home. Cobb ended up scoring with ease on no throw as Penquis got on the scoreboard. The run was the only one allowed by Dexter, as Robichaud tossed six innings to earn the victory. He scattered three hits and walked five while striking out nine Patriot batters.
The Tigers got the run back in the ensuing half inning and added another. Junior Brandon Young, who was pinch run for by junior Matthew Bartlett, and senior Trevor Fogarty drew back-to-back walks to lead off against Penquis reliever junior Philip Cook.
Junior Matthew Mower then sent a pitch from Cook back to the mound. Cook tossed over to Allen at first for the out, but Bartlett scored from third on the RBI groundout and 7-1 advantage.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
INFIELD FLY — Penquis starting pitcher sophomore Noah Allen reaches to make the out of a ball off the bat of Dexter junior Matthew Mower during the top of the fourth inning. At second base is Tiger senior Trevor Fogarty, with Patriot senior Cody Cobb playing in centerfield.
White followed by also putting the ball in play. Fogarty had a lead at third and after an initial wait, ran home once Penquis opted to go for the more certain force out at first. Fogarty’s run ended up being his team’s eighth. The ninth and final run came in the sixth as Sinclair scored from third on a balk.
Dexter improved to 2-2 with the victory, while the 1-1 Patriots sustained the team’s first loss of the young 2014 season, The two squads are scheduled to play again in Milo on Monday, May 19 at 4:30 p.m.
Next up for the Tigers is a May 7 contest vs. Orono High School (3-2 as of presstime). Penquis is also set to be in action on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. when the team plays at Piscataquis Community High School (the Guilford-based team will enter at 0-4 as of presstime).
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
SHORTSTOP ON THE HOP — A groundball is thrown across the diamond by Dexter junior shortstop Jacob Sinclair, as senior leftfield Trevor Fogarty looks on. Sinclair would finish the game vs. Penquis as the only player from either team with multiple hits, and his pair of doubles would result in game-high four RBIs.