In fact, in two games against Hall-Dale, the Wolverines were outscored 25-6, including an 11-6 opening-day setback in April.
The Bulldogs just seemed to have Wiscasset’s number, and the trend continued as fourth-seeded Hall-Dale made it 3-for-3 with a 7-2 Western Maine Class C quarterfinal victory over Wiscasset on Wednesday.
The first inning told the tale. Cumler, a freshman lefty, wasn’t sharp, missing on 10 of his first 13 pitches and walking two. His balk put Wolverine runners at second and third base with one out.
But, Cumler escaped. Wiscasset ace Jason Weatherbee wasn’t as fortunate in the bottom of the frame. The senior struggled through a 43-pitch inning, surrendering four runs on three hits, three walks and an error.
“We had chances we couldn’t get, and they capitalized and nibbled away, putting one up here and one up there,” said Wiscasset coach Todd Souza, whose fifth-seeded team finished 9-8. “My hat’s off to them. We just couldn’t get it done today.”
Big first
Ben Crocker started things off well for the hosts, singling to center field to open the home half of the first inning. An error put two runners on, and Weatherbee issued a walk to Zac Plummer to load the bases with nobody out. Brad Shepherd picked up an RBI with a fielder’s choice, and Colin Lush reached out and slapped a single to right field to score two more for a 3-0 Hall-Dale (13-4) lead.
“They didn’t hit many balls hard, but they were in the right places,” said Souza, whose squad was hurt by six Hall- Dale stolen bases.
Nat Crocker blooped a single to left field with two outs to complete the big first inning, as the Bulldogs took a 4-0 lead.
Hall-Dale made it 5-0 in the second inning, with Lush picking up his third RBI with a single to right field.
Wiscasset made some noise in the third. James Andretta walked, and after a Devin Grover sacrifice bunt, Zach Ellison dropped a single to left field to put the Wolverines on the board. Chandler Longfellow cut the deficit to three runs with a two-out single to plate Ellison.
The Bulldogs scored a single run in the third to up their advantage to 6-2. Weatherbee issued his fifth and sixth walks, with Ben Crocker’s single scoring Nat Crocker.
Wiscasset, which left eight runners on base, put two runners on in the fourth, but Cumler picked up a big strikeout to end the threat.
“I knew that Wiscasset really wanted to win this game, and I wanted to give it my best shot, put the ball in the strike zone and just try to find it,” said Cumler, who struck out seven, walked four and permitted five hits. “I tried to forget about a lot of stuff and just pitch. I think I felt a little bit too confident coming in after pitching the no-hitter. I tried to work on my pitching as I went on as best as I could.”
Hall-Dale’s final run came home in the sixth inning on a pair of Wiscasset errors. The Wolverines committed three miscues, with the Bulldogs taking advantage of each in scoring three unearned runs.
Andretta led the Wiscasset offense, reaching base three times (two singles and a walk). Dylan McMahon also singled for the Wolverines.
Weatherbee, one of 10 seniors on Souza’s squad, went the distance. He threw 137 pitches, struck out seven, walked six and permitted five hits.
“I lose 10 seniors, six starters, kids that have been first-class, top-shelf guys,” said Souza. “For me, I am just focusing on thanking the guys for what they have done for us.”
Ben Crocker and Lush each singled twice for Hall-Dale, which takes on the winner of No. 1 Dirigo/No. 9 Old Orchard Beach on Saturday in the Western C semifinals.
No. 4 Hall-Dale 7, No. 5 Wiscasset 2
Western Maine Class C Quarterfinals
At Farmingdale
Wiscasset — 002 000 0 – 2-5-3
Hall-Dale — 411 001 X – 7-5-1
Bobby Cumler and Matt Plourde; Jason Weatherbee and
Devin Grover.
Repeat hitters — (W) James Andretta; (HD) Ben Crocker,
Colin Lush.
Records — Hall-Dale 13-4, Wiscasset 9-8.
Next — The Bulldogs take on the survivor of today’s quarterfinal contest between No.1 Dirigo and No. 9 Old Orchard
Beach; Wiscasset’s season is completed.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less