Oh so close for the Tigers

STANDISH — It was a seeing-eye single, just beyond Biddeford shortstop Scott Callahan, hit by Oxford Hills first baseman Ethan Davidson, plating Andrew Keniston for a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning.

And that was all it took.

No one knew it then, but the run would seal the Maine Class A state championship for the Vikings, who defeated the Tigers in front of a packed crowd at Mahaney Diamond at St. Joseph’s College in Standish.

The Tigers finish the season with an overall record of 12-8, and were the first team since 2002 to represent York County in a state title game in baseball.

Though the Tigers out-hit the Vikings, Biddeford could not find a way to push a run across. The Tigers had the lead hitter get on base in five out of seven innings without a run.

“As a coach, that’s what you need to see, is getting that leadoff guy on and it gives you opportunities, whether it’s a bunt or a steal. It puts a little more pressure on their defense,” Biddeford head coach Casey Roy said. “Unfortunately, once that leadoff guy got on base, we couldn’t move him around to home plate.”

The closest Biddeford came to scoring was both the first and second innings. Biddeford pitcher Trevor Fleurent reached first on an error to start the first inning, reaching second on a sacrifice bunt by Callahan and reached third on a groundout from first baseman Tyler Audie. Third baseman and cleanup hitter Tyler Parker grounded out to Davidson to end the inning.

The Tigers reached third again in the second. Rightfielder Travis Vigneault started the inning with a single to right field, and reached second on a sacrifice bunt by Chris Jones. Vigneault reached third after tagging up on a flyout from leftfielder Alex Lauzon, but designated hitter Taylor Reuillard grounded out to Davidson to end the inning.

Fleurent, who struck out 10 Westbrook batters in the regional final, pitched another brilliant game to keep the Tigers alive defensively. Fleurent allowed four hits and struck out seven batters, and was particularly impressive in the third inning, when he gave up a leadoff triple to D.J. Croy, but then struck out the side to prevent a run from scoring.

“He came out with the same intensity, the same competitive spirit that he’s brought all year, his whole career in fact at Biddeford High School,” Roy said. “It was a pleasure watching him. We would have loved to have been on the winning end and send them off with a celebration, but they scratched and they clawed. We had a [heck] of a postseason.”

While he didn’t out-pitch Fleurent, Vikings starter Eric Henderson combined his fastball and slurve to induce groundballs from Biddeford throughout the contest to pick up the victory.

“Right there, [Fleurent] is a good pitcher, and we hadn’t faced a lefty this year, except Gordon from [Edward Little],” Henderson said. “He’s a good pitcher, and they were a tough team. Great defense, and they hit the ball. We just out-did it.”

While the Tigers didn’t win the title, it takes nothing away from its Cinderella season. The Tigers finished the regular season with a 9-7 record, and pulled a 2-1 upset win over Bonny Eagle on the last day of the season to grab the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. Biddeford went on to upset No. 2 Scarborough and No. 4 Westbrook to reach the state title game.

The game was the final contest for six Biddeford seniors: Fleurent, Vigneault, Tyler and Trevor Parker, Lauzon and Nick Simpson.

“From summer baseball to spring baseball, they were committed to the program and got a lot better from two years when we started,” Roy said. “They’ve been a staple of our lineup this year, whether it’s defensive, pitching or offensive. It’s going to be tough to replace those guys next year.”