A Narrow Defeat in the Play‑In
The Boothbay 36ers entered the state American Legion baseball tournament’s play‑in game with a 2‑0 advantage over the Central Maine Hurricanes, but a late surge by the Hurricanes turned the tide.
Central Maine answered with two runs in the third inning and added another pair in the sixth, ultimately securing a 4‑3 victory that sent them into the next round.
Boothbay’s offense managed three runs on three hits, a performance aided by a single error from the Hurricanes, yet the team could not capitalize further.
Key contributors for Boothbay included Sam Markowitz, who doubled, and Oscar Gallant, whose triple and single sparked early momentum, while Liam Jacobs delivered a solid outing on the mound, pitching 4.2 innings and striking out 12.
Relief efforts from Devin Bendix and Sam Wissman each handled a brief stint, with Bendix surrendering two runs in a third of an inning and Wissman walking two without allowing a run.
Casey Phelps closed out the game, recording the final two outs without conceding any hits or runs, underscoring the team’s late‑game resilience.
Despite the loss, Boothbay finished the season with a 5‑13 record, a modest improvement that bodes well for future development.
Looking Ahead
Central Maine, now 9‑10, will meet the top‑seeded Hampden squad in the upcoming state tournament, a matchup that promises added excitement for local baseball fans.
For Boothbay, the focus shifts to building on the experience gained this season, with an eye toward a stronger campaign next year.