The Presque Isle Patriots ended up 8-12 and in seventh place in American Legion Zone 1 baseball play.
A top-six finish would have advanced the Patriots into post-season play, but they were two games out of a playoff position. Bangor, Brewer, Trenton, Steamboat Petroleum (Waldo), Hampden and Motor City of Bangor were the teams advancing to the playoff tournament, which was played over the weekend in Bangor.
After winning just twice in their first 10 games, the Patriots rebounded to go 6-4 down the stretch.
Coach Richard Parsons said the team developed confidence as the season progressed.
“They came together and starting playing like they could,” Parsons said. “They realized they could play against anybody. Plus the hitting really starting to come around at the end.”
The Patriots split their final home games, a doubleheader with Penquis on July 19. The team had three games earlier in the week. On July 14, PI scored eight times in the sixth inning to defeat Motor City at home, 16-9. Kasey Brewer’s two-run double was the key blow in the rally. Thibodeau had four singles and three RBI and winning pitcher Hunter Caron, who relieved starter Chasse in the sixth inning, had a triple and a single. Walker ripped a three-run homer in the first inning.
The next night in Millinocket, Presque Isle lost to Lincoln, 8-6. Caron hit a two-run homer and also singled, while Thibodeau, Folsom and McLaughlin all had two hits.
On July 16, Thibodeau scored the winning run on a balk with two outs in the bottom of the seventh as the host Patriots outlasted Lincoln, 10-9. Presque Isle tied the game earlier in the inning on a run-scoring single by Thibodeau and an RBI fielder’s choice by Walker.
Thibodeau got the win after pitching a clean seventh inning in relief of starter McLaughlin.
The Patriots’ final individual statistics have been calculated, with Thibodeau leading the team in batting average at .473. He also smacked three home runs and knocked in 21 runs. On the mound, he went 2-1 with one save.
Walker had a big year with eight homers and 26 RBI, both team bests. He ended up with a .338 batting average.
Caron (.323, four homers, 15 RBI), McLaughlin (.333, one homer, nine RBI), Folsom (.276, team-high five doubles), Dan Brewer (.400) and York (14 hits, 11 bases on balls) were other statistical leaders.
The American Legion Zone 1 all-star teams were recently announced.
Thibodeau earned a spot on the first team, while Walker, Caron, McLaughlin, Folsom, Dan Brewer, Wilder York and Manny Martinez all received honorable mention.
Nate Adams of Steamboat Petroleum was named player of the year and Brennan Perry of Hampden was the pitcher of the year. Jason Folsom of Hampden was coach of the year.
