South Portland, Bangor advance in 11-12 state tournament

By Ron Hawkes
MaineSportsReport.com

As the dust had settled and the fog started to roll in at the Thomaston Little League field Wednesday night another team was sent home, a previously unbeaten was now in the losers bracket and the State 11-12 year-old baseball tournament was down to just three teams.

In the 5 p.m. game South Portland got behind the pitching of Aidan Mckee for a 3-0 win over Kennebunk/Kennebunkport to remain the only unbeaten and send them to the championship game later in the week.

In the second game Bangor East beat Rockland, ending the season for the local District 2 team.

Kennebunk is now scheduled to play Bangor East Thursday at 6 p.m. with the winner facing South Portland Friday in the championship game scheduled for 6 p.m. Should Bangor East or Kennebunk win the first championship game the final would be Saturday at a time to be determined.

South Portland's Felix Del Vecchio blasts a two-run home run in the first inning. Photo by Ron Hawkes

South Portland 3, Kennebunk 0 … Aidan Mckee was able to bear down in tight situations and pitch through a couple of jams to lead the National's to their third straight win in the tournament.

Mckee pitched six innings allowing five hits and one walk with seven strikeouts for South Portland.

Ben Lary took the loss for Kennebunk pitching five innings allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts.

Felix Del Vecchio (home run, run, 2 RBIs) paced the National's. Mckee (double, 2 runs), Ryan Ruhlin and Matt Beecher (single each).

Kennebunk pitcher Ben Lary delivers a pitch. Photo by Ron Hawkes

For Kennebunk, Caleb Burpee (2 singles), Robbie Burns (double) and Colby Lapointe and Pip Butterfield (single each).

Bangor East 15, Rockland 4 ... Bangor East exploded for 15 hits highlighted by Liam Harrigan's two doubles, a single, and three runs scored. Justin Courtney and James Deane provided the power with a two run homer in the first inning (Courtney) and a two run homer in the second inning (Deane). Sam Huston added two singles for Bangor East.

Nick Mazurek topped Rockland at the plate with two singles, an RBI, and a run scored. Zach Roman and Isaiah Patterson each had a single and a run scored.

Additional info from the game will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

Click for photo galleries from all the state tournament games.