BANGOR– The Searsport High school Vikings baseball team used two big innings and a solid pitching performance from Kyle Moore to earn a 10-2 victory over the Penobscot Valley High School (PVHS) Howlers on Saturday afternoon in the class D state championship game at Mansfield Stadium. It is the sixth state title for the Vikings, including second straight in class D. The first four titles for Searsport came in class C.
“This town has always been about baseball. When you come to our school, you see all the state championships. This town has always been about baseball. Baseball has always been what this town follows,”Searsport coach John Frye said. “To bring it back two years in a row is incredible. It is never been done at the school. Maybe we will go three peat now.”
The first part of the game was all about the pitching of Moore and Howlers starter Jarrett Priest. The two senior right handers needed only 64 pitches between them to get through the first three innings.
The Vikings bats woke up in the fourth inning. They recorded four hits and took advantage of two PVHS errors to put five runs on the scoreboard. Ben Powell had a hit that scored two runs, while Matt Barlow hit a run scoring single during the big inning.
The Howlers looked to respond quickly. Dakota Batchelder started the bottom of the fourth inning with a single, Thomas Spencer followed with a double to right field. With runners on second and third, Priest hit a sharp grounder that nailed Moore in the throat. Moore took in some water and threw some warm up pitches. He came back strong, recording a strikeout and a double play on a bunt that was popped up to end the inning.
Moore was very efficient in his complete game effort. He allowed two runs on eight hits and one walk, while striking out four. He threw 84 pitches/55 strikes.
“Kyle Moore has been talking about this all season. From day one, he knew that he would be going this game because Troy (Reynolds) would be pitching the south (regional final),”Frye said. “So he has been waiting all season to get on this mound.”
Reynolds paced the offense with two hits and three RBI, including a two run double In a five run sixth inning. Searsport finishes the season with a 17-3 record.
Spencer recorded two doubles and one RBI for the Howlers. Priest also had two hits. Both losses for PVHS (18-2) this season came against Searsport.
