HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton baseball and softball squads both notched victories over visiting Presque Isle Tuesday afternoon.
Played under warm, sunny conditions, the Shire softball team rolled to a 12-1 victory over Presque Isle. Houlton capitalized on a number of fielding miscues and close plays to take an early 4-1 lead in the first inning and never looked back.
Gabby Gentle and Maddie Marino both had a double and single, while Emma Swallow and Bre Barton each had two singles. Drew Warman rapped a triple in the contest.
Houlton improved to 3-2 on the season, while the Wildcats are now 3-6.
Houlton shortstop Drew Warman prepares to fire the ball over to first base after getting a force out on Presque Isle’s Olivia Locke during Tuesday’s game in Houlton. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Houlton’s Maddie Marion locks in on the ball as she takes a swing during Tuesday afternoon’s game against Presque Isle. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Presque Isle catcher Lexi Morningstar goes up high to make the catch during a Tuesday afternoon game against Houlton. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
In the baseball game, Greater Houlton Christian Academy’s Silas Graham logged another strong mound outing as he struck out 13 batters through five innings, allowing just two unearned runs on two hits and two walks.
“Silas had a fantastic game,” Houlton coach Jim Castner said.
Thadon Gentle and Brock Thompson each pitched one inning of relief, with both hurlers tallying two strikeouts and no hits or walks.
Diving back to first base on a pickoff attempt is Presque Isle’s Braden Doughty (left) as Houlton first baseman Brock Thompson awaits the ball during Tuesday’s game. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Sliding safely into second base is Houlton’s Kaden Carpenter as Presque Isle second baseman Ben Beaulieu attempts to make the tag during Tuesday afternoon’s game. Carpenter had four stolen bases on the day as Houlton won 10-2. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Delivering a pitch to the plate is Presque Isle’s Jackson Maynard during Tuesday afternoon’s game against Houlton. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Delivering a pitch to the plate is Houlton’s Silas Graham during Tuesday’s game with Presque Isle. Graham struck out 13 with a commanding performance. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
For Presque Isle, Jackson Maynard scattered eight runs on eight hits and four walks, with three strikeouts through three and two-thirds innings. Ryan Blackstone tossed two and a third innings in relief, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with one strikeout.
The Shires rapped 11 hits and drew six walks, with four strikeouts in the game, while Presque Isle managed just two hits and two walks, with 17 strikeouts.
Graham helped his cause at the plate as he collected two triples and a double, while scoring four runs to lead Houlton offensively. Kadan Carpenter had added two singles for the Shires. Cody Jonhston stole four bases for Houlton, while Gentle added three and Bronson Hanning had one.
Evan Chapman and Ben Beaulieu collected the only hits for Presque Isle. Chapman and Blackstone both scored for the Wildcats.
Houlton improved to 4-1 on the year, while Presque Isle dropped to 1-8.
