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Updated Through 5/19/08

2008 Game Summaries

CONGRATULATIONS
BLUE BLAZES!
GO GET ‘EM @ ST. JOE’S!!
KEEP BLAZIN’!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next stop,
St. Joseph’s College, Tuesday, June 17th @ 7 p.m.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS!
CLASS ACTS ALL AROUND!!!!!


Those Blazes are still on fire
Class A baseball: Westbrook's youth comes through again in a win over Gorham.
By TOM CHARD, Staff Writer June 15, 2008


John Ewing/Staff Photographer
Christian Hamilton of Westbrook snares a foul ball in right after making a long run in the first inning Saturday.


John Ewing/Staff Photographer
Matt Foye, right, and his Westbrook High teammates celebrate Saturday after Scott Heath delivered a bases-loaded double that scored three runs in the fourth inning.

WESTBROOK — Westbrook had two big hits Saturday -- one by a junior, the other by a freshman.
That's the way it's been for the third-seeded Blue Blazes, who reached the Western Class A baseball final with a 9-3 victory against 10th-seeded Gorham at Olmsted Field.

Westbrook (14-4) used two big innings, and three-run doubles from junior Matt Foye and freshman Scott Heath.

The Blazes will meet Deering in the regional final at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph's College in Standish.
Top-ranked Deering beat Westbrook 3-2 in the regular season and 3-1 for the Telegram League title June 5.
"We're hoping that the saying it's tough to beat a good team three times is true," said Westbrook Coach Mike Rutherford. "And (that Deering Coach) Mike D'Andrea is telling his team that they have our number. It should be a great matchup."

Foye, who had a two-run homer in the quarterfinals against Portland, hit a drive to left-center that cleared the bases and made it 3-2.

"I didn't hit that well during the regular season. I'm one of the team leaders so it's my job to get the big hit," said Foye. "I knew the pitcher had to come in with a strike and I was waiting."
Gorham (11-8) cut it to 3-2 in the top of the fourth, but the Blazes broke it open with five more in the bottom half.

Heath, a freshman who leads the team with a .470 average, lined a 3-2 pitch to left-center for his bases-clearing double that made it 6-2. Taylor Clouatre then singled Heath home, and another run scored on a double steal.

The Blazes added a run in the sixth, and Gorham scored in the seventh. Gorham beat Westbrook in the quarterfinals last year.

"We wanted to get revenge," said Foye.
The Rams, who upset No. 7 Marshwood in the prelims and No. 2 Thornton Academy in the quarterfinals, got a runner to third in the first two innings but couldn't score.

Gorham scored two runs in the fourth on an error and a single, but had a runner thrown out at third and missed a chance to do more damage.

Rutherford felt his team was one of the top five in Western Maine when the season started, but there was no way of predicting how the three starting freshmen -- Heath, Zach Collett and Zach Gardiner -- would play this season.

"I knew we had two good starting pitchers and I knew what the rest of the league had coming back. (Shawn) McAlpine pitched an outstanding game against Gorham," said Rutherford.

Foye said no one could have predicted Westbrook making it to the Western Maine final before the season. Even some of the Blazes' upperclassmen were varsity newcomers at the start.

"Everyone has contributed. We wouldn't be where we are without the contributions of the freshmen. We're glad they developed quickly," said Foye.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com

BASEBALL: A Blazingly quick win for Westbrook

The Blue Blazes need just five innings to rout Portland in a Western Class A quarterfinal, 13-0.
By TOM CHARD, Staff Writer June 13, 2008


John Ewing/Staff Photographer
Christian Hamilton, the winning pitcher, slides safely across the plate to score as Portland catcher Connor McNeill takes the throw Thursday afternoon.


John Ewing/Staff Photographer
Peter Olafsen, Portland’s right fielder, makes a leaping effort but can’t come up with a drive by Westbrook’s Zach Collett, who wound up with a two-run double.

WESTBROOK — Westbrook High's young and talented baseball team is improving with each game.
The latest example was a 13-0 dismantling of Portland in a Western Maine Class A quarterfinal Thursday at Olmsted Field.

The game ended after the top of the fifth because of the 10-run rule. The win sends the third-ranked Blue Blazes (13-4) to the regional semifinals at 1 p.m. Saturday at home against No. 10 Gorham, which upset No. 2 Thornton Academy, 12-2.

Christian Hamilton, one of four junior starters for the Blue Blazes, allowed one hit in three innings to improve to 6-2. Coach Mike Rutherford took out Hamilton after three innings so that he can pitch in relief Saturday if needed.
Westbrook scored five runs in the first inning and seven in the second.

Hamilton doubled home a run and freshman Zach Collett added a two-run double in the first.
Matt Foye highlighted the second inning with a long two-run homer to left.

Westbrook beat Portland 10-2 during the regular season. The Blazes have won nine of their last 10 games.
"Going into the game, I had confidence with Hamilton on the mound, but I didn't think it would be like this. Portland gave us some runs early with their errors," said Rutherford.

"Our bats came alive early," said Hamilton. "And we played strong defense like we usually do."
The Blazes start three freshmen and only two seniors.

"I didn't think we would be this good so soon," said Hamilton. "I thought maybe after I graduated they would be (good)."
Hamilton kept Portland's hitters in check with a hard fastball and a sharp-breaking curve.

"My fastball was working, and for most of the time my curve was, too," said Hamilton.
Portland (10-8) made four errors -- three of which came in the first inning.

Taylor Clouatre joined in the offensive outburst with a two-run single to left.
Brian Furey's sharp ground single was the Bulldogs' only hit off Hamilton. Chad Egeland and Josh Harriman pitched the fourth and fifth innings.

"The errors changed the whole tempo of the game," said Portland Coach Todd Day.

"We thought we were still in it trailing 5-0 after the first inning, but the second inning put it away for them.
"Westbrook has some outstanding hitters. They really hit the ball hard. We knew that coming back after falling behind 5-0 against a pitcher like Hamilton would be difficult. I thought Ed Bogdanovich did good job in relief for us and helped to calm things down."

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com

Blazes beat Trojans in SMAA baseball playoffs
By Mike Higgins
Sports Editor

WESTBROOK (June 4, 2008): In an important tune-up to the upcoming Class A baseball playoffs, the Westbrook Blue Blazes beat Thornton Academy on the road 4-3 in the first round of the SMAA playoffs on Tuesday.
The win set up a faceoff with undefeated and top-ranked Deering on Thursday at Hadlock Field in Portland at 6 p.m.
Westbrook (13-4), ranked No. 3 in the latest Heal Point standings, were led by pitcher Shawn McAlpine, who after some early struggles, settled down to allow only one hit in the final five innings to secure the win for the Blazes.
The Blazes also took advantage of some key Thornton errors in the fifth inning to score twice and erase a 2-0 Trojans’ lead. The Blazes took the lead for good in the sixth thanks to RBIs from Zach Gardiner (on a bases-loaded walk) and Nick Finocchiaro, who singled home the game-winning run.

Based in Westbrook, Sports Editor Mike Higgins can be reached at 207-854-2577 or by e-mail at mhiggins@keepmecurrent.com

Deering baseball captures SMAA tournament title, biggest prize next?
By Michael Hoffer (published: June 12, 2008)

EXCERPTS
…The Bulldogs avenged a regular season loss to the Red Storm and earned the opportunity to battle Westbrook and former coach Mike Rutherford in the quarterfinal round Thursday….

…The Portland-Westbrook rivalry added some spice this year when Rutherford took over as coach. He got the better of his former team May 17 when the Blue Blazes won 10-2 at Hadlock Field.

Westbrook beat Portland 13-3 (in six innings) in the 2005 Western A Final in the most recent playoff meeting. The Bulldogs eliminated the Blue Blazes in the 2002 divisional quarterfinals (6-2).

Portland is eager to earn some revenge Thursday.

“We have to go on the road now,” said Day. “Westbrook is a very good team and they deserved to the higher seed. But this is baseball and anything can happen. We feel like we are playing our best baseball right now. We’ll be ready to go on Thursday.”…

Deering collects another Telegram League baseball title
The unbeaten Rams edge Westbrook 3-1 to collect their 20th such trophy.

By TOM CHARD, Staff Writer June 6, 2008


Westbrook shortstop Matt Foye fields the late throw as Jack Heary slides safely into second for a stolen base Thursday night.

Deering won its 20th Telegram League baseball championship and kept its unbeaten record intact Thursday night with a 3-1 win over Westbrook at Hadlock Field.

Deering (18-0) managed just five hits off Westbrook pitcher Christian Hamilton, but Jack Young and Taylor Candage combined on a four-hitter for the Rams.
The defending Class A state champions won't play again until the Western Maine quarterfinals on Thursday against Sanford or South Portland.

"We played good defense and got the hits when we needed them," said Deering Coach Mike D'Andrea.
D'Andrea started junior left-hander Jack Young instead of Candage, his No. 1 pitcher. D'Andrea said he was hoping for three good innings out of Young, but he got four. Candage relieved at the start of the fifth, and his fastball proved a sharp contrast to Young's off-speed pitches.

"Jack Young has pitched great for us all season," said D'Andrea. "He allowed only one run and three hits.
"The plan was to put Candage in after we got what we wanted out of Young. Candage pitched an inning of relief against Biddeford in the semifinals. We have to be careful how we use him with the state playoffs coming up."

Young started slowly, as two of the first three Westbrook batters got hits. Lance Ludka opened with a single, moved to third on Scott Heath's single and scored when the Rams failed to turn a double play.
Young allowed a hit in the second, but didn't give up another before departing after throwing two balls to the leadoff batter in the fifth.

The Blazes (13-5) would get just one more hit, a triple by Taylor Clouatre in the seventh.
Deering tied it in the second when Candage led off with a walk, stole second and scored when Dan Brown dropped a two-out single into short left field.

The Rams took a 3-1 lead in the third. Matt Powers led off with a triple to the gap in right-center. He scored when Jack Heary hit a hard grounder into the shortstop hole for an infield hit. Heary stole second and scored when Candage ripped a base hit to right-center.

That was all Deering needed, as Young and Candage held the Blue Blazes in check.
Hamilton kept Deering scoreless the rest of the way in his second strong performance this season against the Rams. He lost a one-run game to Deering in the regular season.

"Christian pitched well," said Westbrook Coach Mike Rutherford. "Hopefully, he'll get another chance against Deering in the playoffs. That would be another great matchup -- Hamilton versus Candage -- just like in the regular season.

"We beat a good pitcher in Hamilton," said D'Andrea. "He throws hard and has some good stuff."
After relieving Young in the fifth, Candage walked the bases loaded, and Scott Heath hit a shot to center field that was tracked down by Brad Shafran.

"Against a pitcher like Candage, you only get one or two chances to do something," said Rutherford. "We had our chance in the fifth when we loaded the bases and Scott Heath hit it hard, but it was to straightaway center."

The game marked the return of Regan Flaherty, a Deering junior who missed the first 17 games after recuperating from knee surgery this winter. Flaherty played first base and went 0 for 2.
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com

Westbrook Goes to the Telegram Finals against Deering
Thursday, 6/5/08 6:00 p.m. @ Hadlock Field

Telegram League Playoffs: Westbrook heads to final
The Blue Blazes rally past Thornton and will play unbeaten Deering for the Telegram title.
By TOM CHARD, Staff Writer June 4, 2008


Tim Greenway/Staff Photographer
Shawn McAlpine, who lost to Thornton Academy in the regular season, came up big in a rematch Tuesday, allowing one hit through the final five innings as Westbrook reached the Telegram League final with a 4-3 victory.

TELLY FINAL WHO: Westbrook (13-4) vs. Deering (17-0)
WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: Hadlock Field

SACO — Shawn McAlpine pitched one-hit ball over the final five innings and Westbrook took advantage of Thornton Academy's errors to rally for a 4-3 victory in the Telegram League baseball semifinals Tuesday.
"Shawn pitched a great game after he settled down," said Westbrook Coach Mike Rutherford. "It's the best game he's pitched all season. To give up only one hit over the last five innings to one of the best hitting teams in the league says something."

No. 3 Westbrook (13-4) will play No. 1 Deering (17-0) for the league title at 6 p.m. Thursday at Hadlock Field.

No. 2 Thornton (12-5) led 3-0 through four innings with Matt Leach on the mound. But a couple of errors in the fifth opened the door for the Blue Blazes. They scored two runs in the inning, then took the lead with two in the sixth. Leach was relieved at the start of the sixth because of a bruise on his shin from his own batted ball early in the game and a high pitch count.

The Blazes greeted left-hander Josh Velten with three straight hits by McAlpine, Zach Collett and Tyler Kelly. A walk to Zach Gardiner forced in one run. Nick Finocchiaro then singled home what proved to be the winner.
McAlpine retired the Golden Trojans in order in the third, fourth and sixth. He retired the first two batters in the seventh. Dan Ingraham then reached on an error, but McAlpine got Leach to ground to second baseman Jake Gardiner to end it.

Westbrook had a couple of early pitches called balls that it thought were strikes.
"I was mad about the calls, but the coaches helped me to keep my composure," said McAlpine. "My fastball, curve and change-up were working pretty well. Thornton beat me during the season so this feels real good."
Leach had nine strikeouts and gave up five hits in five innings.

The Trojans scored twice in the first. Ingraham and Leach opened with singles. After a strikeout, Velten drove home Ingraham with a sharp ground single to right. Leach scored4from third when he alertly broke for home when Westbrook was slow getting the ball back to the infield after a fly to right.

Thornton made it 3-0 in the second on an RBI single by Ingraham. It scored Sam Canales, who reached on an infield error and went to third after a throwing error by McAlpine on an errant pickoff attempt at first.
Thornton got only one more hit, a single by Robbie Trask in the fifth.

"Westbrook took advantage of our mistakes and won the game," said Thornton Coach Greg Paradis.
Thornton will await the start of the Western Class A quarterfinals June 12.

"We have a week to rest up and get our injuries healed. We have some good practice games lined up that should help us get ready," Paradis said.

Matt Roberts, a pitcher-third baseman, was out with a back injury. Trask missed several games from the midway point to the end of the season with a lower back injury. He played against Westbrook, but was limited to a set number of plate appearances and innings.

DEERING 5, BIDDEFORD 4: Matt Powers scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth as Deering (17-0) edged Biddeford (10-7) in the other Telegram League semifinal, at Harlow Field in Portland.
Nick Bartlett's sacrifice fly to center in the fifth sent home Matt Watson with the tying run. In the sixth, Powers doubled and advanced to third on a deep fly ball.
Powers pitched three strong innings in relief to get the win. Taylor Candage retired the Tigers in order in the seventh for a save. He also led the Rams with two RBI.
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at: tchard@pressherald.com

HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Westbrook's baseball team earns a nine-inning win

From staff reports May 30, 2008

SCARBOROUGH — Zach Gardner had three hits and scored the winning run in the ninth inning Thursday as Westbrook beat Scarborough 5-4 in a Telegram League regular-season finale.
Gardner, who also hit a solo homer, reached on a single and scored his third run on a double by Nick Fincchairo, who had two hits for Westbrook (12-4).
Scott Heath allowed two hits over the final three innings for the Blazes.
Jake Rutt and Jimmy Rouse were repeat hitters for Scarborough (8-8).

Blazes keep on, well, blazin'
Westbrook wins its sixth straight in baseball, routing Biddeford to keep rising in the standings.

By TOM CHARD, Staff Writer May 28, 2008
BIDDEFORD — Freshman Zach Collett hit Westbrook High's first home run of the season Tuesday as the Blazes won their sixth straight Telegram League baseball game, routing Biddeford 19-6 in six innings at St. Louis Field.

Collett also singled in a run during a six-run first.
Westbrook (11-4) replaced Biddeford (9-6) in third place in the Western Class A Heal point standings. The Blazes were fourth and the Tigers third before the game.
"We guaranteed ourselves at least third place for the playoffs and we might be able to get second if we beat Scarborough on Thursday in our last game," said Westbrook Coach Mike Rutherford.

"The last six games we've scored over 10 runs a game. We've done it with four 15-year- olds in our lineup this season. We can play with anyone in Western Maine and I feel we're going to be tough in the playoffs."
While the Blazes are closing the regular season on a high, Biddeford has lost five of its last six games. Its only win in that stretch was 2-1 against Portland last Saturday.

"We have to find some way to turn this around," said Biddeford Coach Casey Roy. "We have a group of seniors that I feel would want to in their last run at the playoffs. We came out flat and then we had six runs scored on us right off. We've put the ball in play in our losing streak, but we haven't been able to string any hits together and have a big inning."

Westbrook led 9-0 before the Tigers scored. Leading 13-1 after the top of the fifth, the Blazes could have ended it earlier, but Biddeford rallied for three to keep the game going. The Blazes then scored six in the sixth and held Biddeford to two runs in the bottom half to end it.

Zach Gardiner, another freshman for the Blazes, had a two-run double in the first. Winning pitcher Shawn McAlpine and Tyler Kelly added RBI singles in the first, when Westbrook sent 11 men to the plate and had five of its 16 hits.

Collett greeted reliever Justin Gelinas with a two-run homer to left that made it 9-0.
"It felt good but even more so because I'm a freshman," said Collett of his homer. "When our first two or three batters start hitting, it becomes contagious."

Despite its youth, Westbrook hasn't required a huge adjustment to Telegram League baseball.
"We gained a lot of experience playing American Legion baseball last summer," said Collett.
Freshman left-hander Scott Heath pitched the bottom of the sixth for the Blazes.
He ended the game with a strikeout.

Nick Papa of the Tigers hit a solo home run in the second. The Blazes added a run in the third on Christian Hamilton's single and scored three more in the fourth as McAlpine had a two-run double that pushed the lead to 13-1.
In Westbrook's six-run sixth, Mark Dvilinsky drove home two runs with a single, and Matt Foye and Zach Johnson had RBI singles.

Zach Lauzon and Nick Reny had three hits apiece for Biddeford.
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com

5/27/08 Press Herald Summary
Westbrook v. Biddeford (H) (19-6)

5/24/08 Press Herald Summary
Westbrook v. Gorham (H) (6-0)
Christian Hamilton pitched a three-hitter with 10 strikeouts, and added two hits with two RBI as the Blue Blazes (10-4) handled the Rams (7-7) at Westbrook. Zach Gardner also had two hits and two RBI for Westbrook. Sean Grandmaison hit a single and a double for Gorham.

5/22/08 Press Herald Summary
Westbrook v. Massabesic (A) (16-5)
Christian Hamilton had a two-run double and Shawn MacAlpine added a two-run single as Westbrook (9-4) scored seven runs in the second inning to open a 9-3 lead against the Mustangs (2-11) at Waterboro. MacAlpine finished with four RBI.

5/20/08 Press Herald Summary
Westbrook v. Noble (H) (8-3)
Shawn MacAlpine struck out nine and walked one while tossing a six-hitter and hit a two-run triple during a three-run first inning to lead the Blue Blazes (8-4) past the Knights (3-9) at Westbrook. Lance Ludka added three hits and scored three runs for the Blue Blazes. Jesse Peasley had two hits and two RBI for Noble.

5/17/08 Press Herald Summary
Westbrook v. Portland (A) (10-2)
Chris Hamilton pitched a four-hitter with nine strikeouts to lead visiting Westbrook (7-4) past Portland (6-5). The Blue Blazes (7-4) scored six runs in the second inning, including a two-run triple by Hamilton.

5/15/08 Press Herald Summary
Westbrook v. Windham (H) (10-4)
Taylor Clouatre went 3 for 3 with a double, a triple and three RBI, and Tyler Kelly had two hits and drove in three runs as the Blue Blazes (6-4) downed the Eagles (3-7) at Westbrook. Nick Taylor had two hits and drove in a run for Windham.

5/13/08 Press Herald Summary
Westbrook v. Marshwood (A) (1-2)
John Hussey scored twice on sacrifice flys by Zac Fernandes as Marshwood nipped Westbrook, at South Berwick. Both teams are 5-4. Jake Chamblee picked up the win, allowing four hits, walking two and striking out five.

5/11/08 Press Herald Summary
Westbrook v. Windham (H) (10-4)
Taylor Clouatre went 3 for 3 with a double, a triple and three RBI, and Tyler Kelly had two hits and drove in three runs as the Blue Blazes (6-4) downed the Eagles (3-7) at Westbrook. Nick Taylor had two hits and drove in a run for Windham.

5/11/08 Press Herald Summary
Westbrook v. Marshwood (A) (1-2)
John Hussey scored twice on sacrifice flys by Zac Fernandes as Marshwood nipped Westbrook, at South Berwick. Both teams are 5-4. Jake Chamblee picked up the win, allowing four hits, walking two and striking out five.

Unbeaten Deering baseball team slips past Blazes
From staff reports May 11, 2008
WESTBROOK — Taylor Candage pitched a five-hitter with nine strikeouts Saturday to lead Deering to a 3-2 victory against Westbrook in a Telegram League baseball game at Olmsted Field.
Deering (8-0) went ahead 3-0 on a two-run double by Nick Bartlett in the third inning.
Zach Gardner hit an RBI double and Scott Heath singled home another run as Westbrook (5-3) scored twice in the third.

Thornton scores a run in the seventh to defeat Westbrook in baseball
From staff reports May 9, 2008
SACO — Matt Leach led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a double and scored on Steve Trask's sacrifice fly Thursday to give Thornton Academy a 6-5 victory against Westbrook in a Telegram League baseball game.
Thornton (6-1) scored five runs in the third, including a two-run triple by Kory Martin and a two-run single by Robbie Trask, to take a 5-1 lead.
Westbrook (5-2) tied it with two runs in both the fifth and sixth.
Christian Hamilton had a pair of hits and an RBI, and Scott Heath drove in two runs for the Blue Blazes.
Christian Hamilton also had nine strikeouts for the Blazes.

5/6/08 Press Herald Summary
Westbrook v. Kennebunk (H) (8-2)
Scott Heath and Christian Hamilton each drove in a pair of runs in the sixth inning to lift the Blue Blazes (5-1) over the Rams (2-4) at Westbrook. Hamilton won it with four innings of one-hit relief.

5/3/08 Press Herald Summary
Westbrook v. Bonny Eagle (H) (2-4)
Casey McKague's singled home the go-ahead run in the third inning an added a sacrifice fly in the fifth as the Scots (4-1) edged the Blue Blazes (4-1) in Westbrook. Adam Hamilton had two hits and scored a run for Westbrook.

5/1/08 Press Herald Summary
Westbrook v. South Portland (A) (8-2)
Taylor Clouatre hit a three-run double in the third inning as Westbrook (4-0) opened a 6-0 lead against the Red Riots (1-3) at South Portland. Shawn McAlpine pitched a four-hitter with 11 strikeouts and a walk for Westbrook.

4/30/08 Press Herald Summary
Westbrook v. Cheverus (A) (4-2)
Tyler Kelley had two hits and an RBI, and Christian Hamilton and Scott Heath combined on a four-hitter for the Blue Blazes (3-0) against the Stags (1-2) at Portland. Lance Ludka hit an RBI triple for Westbrook. Joe Falconieri doubled and scored for Cheverus.

4/26/08 Press Herald Summary
Westbrook v. Sanford (H) (5-3)
Shawn McAlpine pitched a six-hitter with nine strikeouts and Tyler Kelly hit a two-run single in a four-run fifth inning as the Blue Blazes (2-0) beat Sanford (0-2) at Westbrook. Kelly, Zach Collett and Taylor Clouatre each had two hits for Westbrook.

4/24/08 Press Herald Summary
Westbrook v. Scarborough (A) (12-6)
Shawn McAlpine drove in three runs with a single and a double, and Matt Foye added a triple, a double and two RBI to lift the Blue Blazes over the Red Storm at Scarborough. Ian Ramsdell had a pair of doubles for Scarborough.