Windham Junior Legion Continues Streak in Defeating Cumberland 3-2

Baseball - JR Legion

July, 8, 2010

By David Field

 

 

Windham ME: Windham Merchant’s Junior Legion squad worked hard to generate the runs necessary to defeat Cumberland Thursday evening 3-2.  The win puts the team’s record at 8-1 on the season.

 

Joe Bryant pitched the game for Windham.  Bryant had a tough first inning when he surrendered a hit, hit a batter, walked a batter and his defense committed two errors.  Cumberland was able to record two runs but left the bases loaded.  Despite the tough start, Bryant struck out two in the inning. 

 

Joe Bryant worked the hill for Windham in the 3-2 victory. Bryant settled down after allowing two runs in the first inning and struck out 12 batters in seven innings. David Field photo.

 

Windham’s bats were held pretty quiet until the fourth inning.  However, the offense couldn’t push in two stranded batters.  In the fifth, the bats again came to life for Windham.  Matt McLean started the inning off with a nice single.  Colby Waterhouse pinch ran for McLean.  Dylan Taylor took a hit for the team and casually jogged to first.  Riley Williamson came to bat and crushed a ball to deep center and recorded the two RBI’s as Waterhouse and Taylor crossed the plate. 

 

Play of the game! After a throw from Riley Williamson in right field, Shawn Francoeur blocks the plate and successfully applies the tag to the Cumberland runner for the out. The Cumberland coach attempts some body-english in the background to help his player in the situation. However, home plate umpire Jason McLeod, had a perfect view from the left side of this shot. David Field photo.

 

In the top of the sixth, Cumberland got their bats going with the game tied, but Windham’s defense answered the call at the right times.  Lead-off batter Evan Campbell drew a walk and stole second base.  Windham’s Joe Bryant bore down and struck out Nick Sprague to record the first out.  Liam Pulaski hit a bloop single to right field.  Campbell turned the corner at third and barreled in to attempt the score.  Riley Williamson threw a perfect strike to Shawn Francoeur at home plate.  Francoeur successfully blocked the plate and applied the tag to record the out and prevent the tie breaking run from scoring.  Connor Russell hit a dribbler to first baseman Joe Francoeur who quickly touched first to end the inning. 

 

Colby Waterhouse heads for home in the fifth inning after Riley Williamson hit a ball deep to the outfield. Waterhouse pinch ran for Matt McLean who reached base on a single. David Field photo.

 

In the bottom of the sixth, Shawn Francoeur and Joe Bryant both flied out to right field.  Undaunted, Windham’s attack continued.  Matt McLean crushed a ball deep to left center and almost took third base on the hit.  Joe Francoeur came to bat and pulled a ball to right center.  McLean, who is nursing an injured foot, scrambled on the hit all the way to home to get the game winning run.  In the top of the seventh, Joe Bryant struck out the first batter, hit the second batter, forced the third to fly out to center field and struck out the fourth to get the win.

 

Catch Windham Junior Legion Saturday as they take on neighbor Gray in a double header starting at 10am.  Game will be played in Windham.