Houlton All-stars still going in state tourney

After a disappointing opening loss, the Houlton 9-10-year-old All-stars took their first win of the state double-elimination tournament on Monday, defeating Waldo County, 7-5. The Houlton All-stars dropped into a tough loser’s bracket where they must win to keep advancing. They were scheduled to play their next game of the tournament against the winner of York/Elliot late yesterday afternoon. The York team gave the Houlton All-stars their first loss.
   On Monday, coach Shawn Graham said the squad was playing much better as a team.
Nick Cowperthwaite threw a four-hitter and backed his own cause with two singles for two RBIs. Billy Phillips continued to be a tough batter, stroking a double and a pair of singles to drive in two runs. Cameron Graham doubled, while Matt Tuttle and Connor Grant each singled.
With one out in the sixth, Logan Ellis came on in relief of Cowperthwaite to pick up the save. He struck out the first batter he faced and fielded a hit back to the mound to finish the game.
Last Saturday, the Houlton All-stars showed some offense early, but their defensive errors are what York capitalized on to take a 13-3 four-inning win.
“We loaded the bases with just one out in the first,” said Graham, “but, we didn’t score.”
The Houlton All-stars finally scored in the second inning after loading the bases. Cowperthwaite and Ellis each stroked run-scoring singles.
“But, then things went sour in the bottom of the inning,” Graham explained. “York scored 10 runs on six Houlton miscues in the field.”
The Houlton All-stars did have another scoring opportunity in the fourth when the first two runners reached base with no outs, as Patrick Howe singled and York committed an error. However, a defensive stop by York changed the momentum, as they turned a 6-4-3 double play to end any threat.
Cowperthwaite led Houlton with a pair of hits. For York, Jack Bouchard, Sam Johnson and Matt Ford all had two hits apiece.