Staff Writer
The Katahdin Cougars were awarded the 2008 Class D state runner-up plaque Saturday in Bangor, after being defeated by Rangeley.
Evan McCarthy and Andy Kay hold up the state runner-up trophy.
After clinching the Eastern Maine title on Wednesday, the Cougars once again traveled to Mansfield Stadium in Bangor to get their shot at ending the season on top.
The first four innings of Saturday’s championship game were nearly flawless as neither team gave up a run or had an error, and a combined total of only three hits were recorded. Katahdin pitcher Evan McCarthy started out strong by striking out five of the first nine Laker batters
Even with no hits until the fourth, Katahdin had its chance to take an early lead during the second inning when three batters in a row were either walked or hit by a pitch. However, the Cougars were unable to bring in any runs, and left the bases full to end the inning.
The game broke open in the fifth inning when Rangeley took advantage of the first error of the game and pulled ahead 1-0. The sixth inning brought about two more errors for Katahdin, allowing Rangeley to increase their lead by another run.
Rangeley had its own costly error in the bottom of the sixth which allowed Tom Anderson to hit in Katahdin’s first run of the game with a single to left field.
Dakota Sleeper and Murray Putnam walk back to the dugout as the Cougars celebrate their Class D regional win.
In the final inning of the game Rangeley once again made Katahdin pay for its mistakes by scoring their third and final run, bringing the game to 3-1.
In dramatic fashion, as they did in their semifinal game a week before, Katahdin rallied in the seventh inning when junior Kaleb Gallagher got a single, and eventually scored on a passed ball. The Cougars just could not pull in the final run, and Rangeley pitcher Ben Bliss struck out the final batter of the game, with the tying run for the Katahdin just ninety feet from home plate, on third base.
“Their pitcher was good. He hit the spots well and he threw enough strikes so that you had to swing the bat,” explained Evan McCarthy, about his competitor on the mound.
RUNNERS-UP – From left, SACS coach Murray Putnam claps while Rob Toothaker, Andy Sholler and Dylan Stubbs display the Eastern Maine Class D runner-up trophy.
Both pitchers threw solid, complete games. McCarthy recorded six strikeouts, allowed seven hits and a single earned run. Bliss took home the win, only allowing three hits and getting two of his six strikeouts in the final inning.
“This game right here was indicative of how we played the whole season, we never gave up, came back … I’m really proud of these kids,” summed up Katahdin coach Marty McCarthy after the game.
When the Cougars arrived back into town on Saturday night a reception was held in their honor at the Patten Fire Department. The team was then received a state police escort to the high school, in recognition of their hard work throughout the entire season. Katahdin ended its season with a record of 16-2.
Ethan Qualey slides in to third.
It was expected to be a pitchers’ duel, and last Wednesday’s Eastern Maine Class D final between the Katahdin Cougars and Southern Aroostook Warriors showcased impressive young throwers — Katahdin junior Andy Kay and Southern Aroostook sophomore Dakota Sleeper.
But, it was timely hitting behind the strong right arm of Kay that helped the Cougars capture its second regional title, with a 3-0 win over the Warriors. Katahdin faced Western Maine champion Rangeley for the Class D state title last Saturday at Mansfield Stadium.
Both pitchers were nothing less than spectacular in last Wednesday’s regional game, as Kay fired a one-hitter, striking out 15 and Southern Aroostook’s Dakota Sleeper fashioned a four-hitter, with 13 strikeouts, and each pitcher walked four through the contest.
“The man on the hill for them pitched extremely well,” said Warriors coach Murray Putnam. “I didn’t think my young man pitched too bad himself.”
Tom Anderson of Katahdin checks the runner at first.
The Cougars drove in all three of their runs over the second, third and fourth innings.
The Cougars’ Ethan Qualey singled to open the second inning, then the Cougars loaded the bases and Mark McGraw drew a walk to force in Katahdin first run.
In the third, the Cougars’ Kay drilled a long lead-off triple into center, then scored on Qualey’s one-out infield hit.
Brady Curtis walked in the fourth, and scampered to second base on an errant throw, and eventually scored on Evan McCarthy’s two-out single to left.
Katahdin’s momentum grew with their confidence, but Southern Aroostook needed only one inning to break out.
In the fourth inning, Dillion Boutilier bunted for Southern Aroostook's only hit, and Josh Branscombe walked, stole second and third, but was stranded in the sixth inning. 
SACS’ Josh Branscombe slides into base.
“Their young fellow was top of his game,” Putnam said. “The Kay boy threw the ball very well.”
To open the seventh, Sleeper raced to first after a third strike pitch scooted away from Katahdin catcher McCarthy. After Rob Toothaker walked, Katahdin’s Kay buckled down to strikeout the next two batters before pinch-hitter Dylan Stubbs walked to load the bases. However, on a broken play, Katahdin’s McCarthy alertly caught Sleeper coming too far down the base line. Kay tagged Sleeper for the final out.
The Warriors end their season at 12-6.
“We did OK,” said Putnam. “There were many good clubs who didn’t play yesterday.”
SACS’ coach Murray Putnam has a word with Steven Grant before his at bat.
