YORK – Addison Foltmer pitched a two-hitter, and his teammates gave him a three-run cushion in the first inning Thursday as Falmouth downed York 8-2 on the opening day of high school baseball in Maine.

The Western Maine Conference Class B opponents played through rain in the middle innings before the sun appeared.

“I couldn’t be any happier,” said Falmouth Coach Kevin Winship. “It’s always nice to score three runs to start the season. I thought Addison did an excellent job. He commanded the zone and kept his pitch count down. He had only thrown something like 56 pitches through five innings. I feel he’ll be one of the top pitchers in the league.”

The Yachtsmen’s first four batters — Drew Proctor, Seamus Powers, Grayson Beressi and Andrew Emple — opened with hits. Powers had a double to drive in the first run, and Emple singled in the other two.

Falmouth added two each in the second and third innings, then scored its final run in the fifth.

“I couldn’t be any happier with the way we started. It’s everything we wanted. We played good defense. We made only one error and the bats were working. It’s great to get that first win,” said Winship.

Foltmer allowed hits to Alex Mercurio in the second and Adam Bailey in the sixth.

“I made sure I threw strikes,” said Foltmer, who had a 2-0 record in four appearances as a freshman. “I limited my walks, which has been a problem in the past. My defense made the plays and I worked efficiently. I have better control and I’m more consistent this season.”

It rained during warmups, stopped for the early innings, then started again with more intensity for two innings. But Foltmer said gripping the ball wasn’t a problem.

“I made sure I had a dry ball,” he said.

The Wildcats scored two runs in the second to make it 5-2. Bailey led off with a walk, Mercurio singled to right and Tim Connolly was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A groundout by Aaron Todd scored one run and a sacrifice fly by Adam Legg scored the other.

“We matched their two runs with two of our own in the third,” said Winship.

York used three pitchers with Bailey, the starter, taking the loss. Freshman left-hander Dan Bock was impressive in relief in the seventh.

“Adam got his fastball up in the zone. He needed to get it lower. He had a good curve,” said York Coach Tony Robinson. “Their pitcher pitched a complete game. It wasn’t a mystery. He threw strikes and we were just a little ahead of his pitches. I think we were trying too hard.”

The Wildcats turned three double plays through four innings, which prevented Falmouth from making it even more one-sided.

“Both teams had to play in the conditions,” said Robinson. “Falmouth made some fantastic plays.”

Shortstop Will D’Agostino of the Yachtsmen made a couple of outstanding plays.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at:

tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH