The Kennebec Journal

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL

Errors hurt Augusta

By Travis Lazarczyk tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

SOUTH PORTLAND -- Inning by inning, Brewer pitcher Kyle McLain thought the same thing. Throw strikes. Let Augusta hit it.

"That's a really good hitting team. I was just trying to keep us in the game," McLain said. "Thank God they were hitting it at our guys."

McLain battled for nine innings, and after his team capitalized on an Augusta mistake to take the lead, he kept the Falcons there. McLain gave up just six hits, striking out four and walking two in a 5-2 win in the American Legion baseball state tournament Wednesday at the Wainwright Sports Complex.

Brewer will face Gayton Post of Lewiston at 4 p.m. today. Augusta takes on Fayette-Staples of Saco in an elimination game at 11 a.m.

Augusta led 2-1 in the fifth, when Brewer's Jordan Richards hit a high fly ball to left field with the bases loaded and two outs. Cory Clarke lost sight of the ball in the clear sky. Richards ended up with a three-run double, and Brewer had a 4-2 lead.

The Falcons added an insurance run in the seventh inning when Chase Daniels scored on a McLain double.

"We finally got the lead, and I could focus on my hitting," McLain said.

McLain gave up a run in the first on a Charlie Partridge single, and Clarke manufactured a run for Augusta in the second. After reaching on a bunt single, Clarke stole second base, went to third on Corey Lapierre's fly out to center, and scored on a passed ball.

That was all of the offense for Augusta, which couldn't string together any hits off McLain.

"With the people we've got in the lineup, with the credentials they have, they have to hit better than that," Augusta coach Ray Vallee said.

McLain, who threw 126 pitches, said he didn't have one go-to pitch the entire game.

"It was different inning to inning," McLain, who set down the last seven batters, said. "Early, my fastball was working really well. In later innings, I felt good with my slider."

Ryan Minoty started for Augusta and went seven innings. Minoty gave up six hits and seven walks while striking out 10.

"Ryan Minoty was absolutely magical. He deserved a better fate," Vallee said.

Partridge and Clarke each had two hits for Augusta. Richards had two hits for Brewer.

Travis Lazarczyk -- 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com