OLD TOWN– What could a team that allowed less than one per game during the regular season do to impress in their first postseason game? How about a perfect game? That is exactly what Kaleb Gifford did in lifting the Old Town Coyotes baseball team to a 3-0 win over Belfast in a class B north quarterfinal game on Thursday afternoon.
Gifford only reached a three ball count against two hitters, and he only reached a two ball count against two hitters after the third inning. He also got plenty of help from his teammates. Coyotes second baseman Ryan Hoogterp recorded five assists, including two outstanding plays where he ranged up the middle and threw out the base runner. Old Town right fielder Nick Swift threw out Alex Flagg at first base in the second inning. Gifford struck out eight, including Garrett Hamlin to end the game.
“I have been preaching all season that pitching and defense will take us a long ways. We had that on display today,”Old Town coach Brad Goody said. “I knew three runs would be enough the way he was dealing today.”
Gifford added, “It is good to know as a pitcher that you have great defense that will cover you, no matter what.”
The Coyotes got all the runs they needed in the third inning. TJ Crawford started the rally with a single. Crawford stole second base and came around to score on a single from Hoogterp. Drew Coulombe doubled down the left field line, Cole Daniel drilled a double deep to right field that scored Hoogterp and Coulombe.
With the lead, Gifford struck out the first two batters he faced in the top of the fourth inning. Gifford also struck out two in the fifth inning. The final featured a ground out to shortstop Coulombe, a fly out to centerfielder Crawford, and a struck out to end the perfect day for Gifford and the Coyotes.
Daniel finished with two doubles and two RBI, Crawford and Hoogterp each had a single and a walk. Crawford added two stolen bases. Old Town (16-1) will host a class B north semifinal game on Saturday afternoon at 3 PM. Live audio can be heard here starting at 2:55. Belfast finishes the season with a 10-8 record.
