BIDDEFORD — Walking onto the baseball field Thursday, Biddeford senior Mike Vadnais had no idea he was taking the mound to pitch against Marshwood.

The Tigers, unable to use its original starter, turned to Vadnais, who two hours later would walk off the field all smiles after pitching a complete game win over the Hawks 4-2.

While Vadnais didn’t blow batters away (two strikeouts), he used pinpoint control (zero walks) to induce Hawks hitters to get back to the bench via groundout or popout.

“I just wanted to throw strikes and let the defense makes some plays,” Vadnais said. “I knew I could rely on them.”

It would take Vadnais’ control, a sturdy Tiger defense, and a late two-run single by Tyler Parker, to give Biddeford its fourth win of the season.

A simple strategy, yet effective.

“It’s the old saying, pitching and defense wins games,” Biddeford head coach Casey Roy said. “Mike Vadnais did a great job for us today. He was a workhorse. Just kept pouring the strikes in low, and we made the plays behind him. I’m real proud of how the guys fielded and stayed composed.”

Marshwood took an early 1-0 lead in the first. After hitting a double to right field, shortstop Luke Fernandes stole third base and scored on an overthrow. Biddeford tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the inning when Nick Gagne plated Trevor Fleurent on an RBI single.

The Hawks took the lead back in the third, when Ian McAlister scored on an error. However, the Tigers tied the game again in the bottom of the inning, when Fleurent scored from third base on a passed ball.

After a scoreless fourth inning by both squads, Biddeford jumped ahead in the fifth. After allowing walks to Travis Vigneault, Fleurent and Gagne to load the bases, Parker smacked a Robert Harper pitch into right field to score two runs and give the Tigers the 4-2 lead.

It would be all the runs Vadnais needed, as each of the final six outs were on pop ups to secure the win.

Vadnais said his defense gave him plenty of confidence.

“It gives you a lot, because you know you can throw strikes and not have to worry about it.”

Roy credited the Tigers consistency in its play to its recent success.

“We have been much more consistent,” Roy said. “Our pitchers are starting to get on a roll. I think we’re starting to get a little confidence fielding the ball. We still could maybe get a few more hits out there, that’s the one thing we’re still trying to focus on. But if we can keep teams from scoring a lot of runs, it will give us a chance at least to be in [games].”

Biddeford (4-4) has the weekend off, but will be back in action in a tough matchup with Scarborough on May 17. The Red Storm are currently owners of a 4-2 record, and went far in the Western Class A playoffs last season.

Short Hops”¦

The Tigers took advantage of its time on the basepaths on Thursday, swiping six bases. Fleurent, Gagne, Parker and Scott Callahan each had a steal, while Vigneault stole two bags.

— Contact Staff Writer Dave Dyer at 282-1535, Ext. 318.