Rockland, Bangor East advance in elimination bracket

By Ron Hawkes
MaineSportsReport.com

Tuesday was a pivotal day for two teams as the elimination rounds of the State 11-12 Little League tournament got underway with Rockland coming off being held hit-less in their previous game and Ellsworth having lost to South Portland 3-0 in their first game.

In the second game it was Bangor East who had lost a heart breaker to Kennebunk 2-1 in nine innings in the opener and Lewiston who fell to South Portland 10-3.

All four teams knew going in someone was heading home for good. That may have helped turn in two of the finest games played to date at this years State Little League 11-12 year-old tournament.

Rockland 2, Downeast Family YMCA of Ellsworth 0 … Isaiah Patterson pitched a two hitter and drove in a run to lead Rockland (1-1) past Ellsworth (0-2)in Tuesday's 5 p.m. game at the Thomaston Little League Field. Both teams played error-less baseball.

Rockland's Zach Peaco drives this ball to right field for an RBI single that proved to be all Rockland would need during Tuesday's game at the Thomaston Little League field. Rockland beat Ellsworth 2-0 in State 11-12 year-old tournament action. Photo By Ron Hawkes

Patterson pitched six innings allowing two hits and no walks while striking out 12 in the win.

Conor Mcguire was impressive as well on the mound allowing two runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts.

Keenan Hendricks set the pace for Rockland (2 singles, run), Paterson (double, RBI), Zach Peaco (single, RBI), Ryan Allender (single) and Noah Slivinsky (run).

For Ellsworth, Mitch Domagala and Simon French (single each).

Bangor East 3, Lewiston 1 … The Bangor East (1-1) team scored twice in the first inning thanks to an error and a home run from Liam Harrigan and held on to down Lewiston (0-2) in the nightcap under the lights.

Bangor east's Liam Harrigan shows a sweet swing as he connects for a two run home run in the first inning of Tuesday nights game at the Thomaston Little League field. Bangor East defeated Lewiston 3-1 in State 11-12 year-old tournament action. Photo By Ron Hawkes

Alex Welch got the start for Bangor East pitching five innings allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out 10. Ryan Moore got the save pitching one innings allowing one hit and striking out two.

Kyle Lemelin pitched a complete game for Lewiston in the loss allowing 3 runs, one earned on four hits with no walks while striking out eight.

Harrigan led the Bangor east squad (home run, single, run, 2 RBIs), Justin Courtney (single, run), Sam Huston (triple, run), and Andrew Hillier (RBI).

For Lewiston, Lemelin (2 singles), Caleb Dostie (double, run) and Shawn Gagnier (double).

Action resumes Wednesday with South Portland and Kennebunk at 5 p.m. in the battle of the two remaining unbeaten team and at 7 p.m. Rockland will face off against Bangor with the loser being eliminated.

Click to see photo galleries from the entire tournament