Clutch Hitting and Strategic Bunting Prove Decisive
Noble High's baseball team, seeded tenth, pulled off an 11‑8 victory over second‑seeded Cheverus in the Class A South semifinal on Tuesday night, securing a spot in the regional final at the University of Southern Maine.
Alec Hale, the leadoff hitter, delivered the decisive blow with a double to right center in the seventh inning that drove in the winning run. He finished the game 2 for 2 with two walks, three RBI and two runs scored, underscoring his impact at the top of the lineup.
The Knights' offensive strategy hinged on a burst of bunting in the second inning, where four consecutive successful bunts set the stage for a multi‑run rally. The disciplined execution forced Cheverus to adjust, but the momentum had already shifted.
Cheverus answered with a six‑run burst in the fourth and added two more in the fifth, but the late surge fell short. Coach Ryan Copp praised Noble's bunting and overall execution, acknowledging the Knights' ability to execute under pressure.
The win marks the third straight road playoff victory for Noble, a streak that includes a 1‑0 triumph over South Portland earlier in the tournament. The team will now travel to face the regional champion on Tuesday, hoping to extend its surprising run.
Key contributors beyond Hale included Dillon May, who collected four hits and an RBI single in the second inning, and Wesley Turnbull, who tallied three hits, two RBI and threw a complete game. Their performances, alongside solid defense, helped the Knights outlast a resilient Cheverus squad.