ORONO, Me- The defending state champion Brewer Witches built a five run lead in the fourth inning Friday evening, and then had to hang on for a 10-9 win over the Lawrence Bulldogs in Class B North baseball action at Mahaney Diamond to stay unbeaten in the early season.
Brewer (4-0) built a quick 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI double from Levi Williamson, a wild pitch, and a balk that allowed another runner to score. Lawrence (2-2) took their only lead with a five run top of the second. Zach Nickerson led off with a line drive single to left field. Chris Dow then walked, and Dylan Coombs got an infield single to load the bases with noone out. After Nate Bickford struck out looking, Christian Adams walked to force in a run. Nick Girard and Jacob Ryder both followed with two run singles to make it 5-3 Bulldogs. The Witches regained a lead they wouldn’t give up when Hunter Russell doubled to lead off the bottom of the second, and scored when Lawrence left fielder Girard dropped a fly ball hit by Kyle Goodrich. Andrew Kiley then drove in Goodrich with a triple, and scored on a RBI groundout by Anthony Chiappone to make the score 6-5 Brewer.
Brewer made things alot more comfortable by putting up a four spot on the board in the bottom of the fourth. The Witches were helped by three walks and also had four hits in the frame, including RBI hits from Zach Steiger and Ethan Hayes to increase that lead to 10-5. Lawrence rallied though in the sixth inning after Brewer starting pitcher Williamson was replaced by Coty Graves. Two walks and three hits in the inning resulted in a two run single from Girard, an RBI single from Ryder, and an RBI on a fielders choice hit by Nick Robertson to cut the deficit to just a run. Williamson though returned in the seventh to secure a pitching win by setting down the Bulldogs in order in their last at bat.
Girard was the offensive leader for Lawrence with three hits and four RBI, also scoring two runs. Ryder had two hits and three RBI. Hayden Lee was the losing pitcher for the Bulldogs going the first 1.2 innings allowing six runs (three earned), four hits, with one walk, and one strikeout. Kiley, Williamson, and Hayes all had two hits a piece for Brewer. Williamson gets the win going a total of 6.0 innings allowing five runs (three earned), five hits, with four walks, and 10 strikeouts.
Both teams return to action Monday as Brewer visits Old Town, and Lawrence hosts Maranacook.
LAW 0 5 0 0 0 4 0- 9 7 1
BWR 3 3 0 4 0 0 x 10 10 1
WP- Williamson LP- Lee
Runners left- Lawrence 6 Brewer 8
