DEXTER– Dennis Farnham pitched a complete game two hitter, while Jackson Coutts had three hits, including a two run homer to lift the Orono Red Riots baseball team to a 7-1 win over Dexter on Wednesday afternoon.
Cameron Pratt led off the bottom of the first inning with a single for the Tigers. Farnham would not allow another hit until Zach White led off the Dexter half of the sixth with a single. Farnham walked one, struck out nine, and gave up one unearned run on 93 pitches (65 strikes).
“All of his (Farnham) pitches were working well, he located his fastball, got ahead in the count and could put his curveball in for a strike,”Red Riots catcher Jackson Coutts said. Everything was working.”
Farnham added, “my curveball was on and I think I was throwing a little harder than normal.”
Dexter took a lead when they took advantage of three Orono errors in the second inning. The Red Riots responded quickly when they put three runs on the board in the top of the third inning. Nate DeSisto had a run scoring single while Farnham had a sacrifice fly.
Orono took a 4-1 lead in the fourth inning when Coutts led off with a single and came around to score on a DeSisto grounder. The Red Riots put the game away with three runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by the Coutts shot that landed in the streets of Dexter.
“He (Dexter pitcher Brayden Miller) threw it middle in,”Coutts said. “I was able to turn on it.”
Coutts was walked intentionally 10 times in the Red Riots first six games. He has moved up in the lineup to the leadoff spot to help try and limit that. Coutts took advantage by ripping three hits and scoring three runs.
“He (Coutts) has been intentionally walked 10 times this season, so he hasn’t got many pitches to hit,”Orono coach Tim Bush said. “it was nice for him to finally get something he could hit.”
Coutts added, “It feels good to hit, but I don’t care if I get intentionally walked, as long as I get on base.”
The Red Riots have now won three straight since starting the season 1-3. Farnham (1-2) earned his first victory of the season, despite pitching very well each time he has stepped on the mound.
“This is his (Farnham) third start of the year, he hadn’t got a win yet, but he has pitched great in every game. Being 0-2 wasn’t a lack of what he has done on the mound, it is a lack of what we have done at the plate,”Bush said. “He pitched a great game against Old Town, and a tough one against GSA, he finally got over that hump with a win against Dexter today. This is just consistent of what we have seen with him being a senior leader on this team.”
Coutts had half of the Red Riots hits. DeSisto, Farnham, and Hines had one hit each. Evan Kenefic, DeSisto, Schyler Cyr, and Connor Robertson scored one run each. Orono (4-3) will host Lee Academy on Friday.
Miller pitched the complete game for the Tigers. He allowed seven runs on six hits and four walks, while recording one strikeout. He threw 116 pitches. Dexter (3-3) will host George Stevens on Friday.
