Senior leftfielder Andrew Loane starts his swing as the ball approaches the plate.
Courtesy photo
York High School baseball players are joined by friends, one of the umpires and the Erskine Academy coach, who had a great time visiting with the players.
Photo by Jim Kennedy, Sr.
YORK - York High School varsity baseball opened its 2008 season at home against Fryeburg Academy.
Junior RHP Jimmy Kennedy opened the season with a complete game win.
In seven innings, Kennedy allowed three hits, had nine Ks and only one earned run in a 9-5 victory. Kennedy helped his own cause, scoring the go-ahead run in the fourth inning with a single and a stolen base.
Following Kennedy across the plate in the same inning was senior Matt Prewitt with the game-winner.
Offensive power was provided by Senior Co-Captain Kevin Maran who had a single, a double, four RBIs and scored two runs.
Matt Haight, senior first baseman, had two doubles, two RBIs and scored a run.
Sophomore Tanner Chase added a double and a single, and senior Mike Hymanson added the fifth double for the day and scored two runs.
Senior Co-Captain David Nieves added a single to the hit parade.
York then played three scrimmages in the following week.
On April 21, York hosted Presque Isle for York's fifth scrimmage of the season. Presque Isle was in Southern Maine on their annual spring vacation trip and escaping the snow for some practice time.
York won the scrimmage 16 - 3, and highlights for York included freshman RHP Chris Cole pitched four innings of shutout ball, giving up three hits, one walk and three strikeouts. Jack Radke and Nieves also pitched.
Catcher Maran again led the team with a big stick, scoring two runs off three hits, including a double and a homerun and five RBIs.
Homeruns were also hit by Paddy Murphy and Cole. Kennedy went four for four, scoring each time.
On April 22, York hosted Erskine Academy, also escaping snow, for scrimmage 6, and in the spirit of sportsmanship, played to a 12 - 12 tie.
Nieves pitched five innings and had four strikeouts. Kennedy pitched the seventh inning and struck out the side, but had one hit which did score off several errors.
Maran, Haight, Chase, Dylan Merritt and Andrew Loane had multiple-hit games.
After the game, the York boys hosted Erskine Academy and Presque Isle to a barbeque cookout. Following the game, Erskine and Presque Isle scrimmaged against each other.
On April 23, York again scrimmaged Presque Isle for its seventh and final scrimmage, winning 12 - 1.
In a last tune-up before the regular season reopens against Wells, Kennedy pitched six shutout innings, throwing 65 pitches (45 strikes), with 5 Ks, one hit and no walks.
Maran continued to be hot behind and at the plate with two hits, two runs and three RBIs, and again had a double and a homerun. Loane and Kennedy also added homeruns.
Cole had a great day at first base, playing for an injured Haight, and had three hits, two runs and two RBIs.
After the scrimmage Presque Isle left for home and a six-hour bus ride.
For the season's seven scrimmages, the top hitters for York were Maran, Haight, Cole and Kennedy. Top fielders were Matt Prewitt, Haight, Cole and Nieves. The top pitcher was Kennedy with 18 innings pitched, 20 Ks and an ERA of 0.67.
The teams April 28 game against Wells was postponed due to weather. The team will play Saturday, May 3, at 4 p.m. in Wells. Both York and Wells will have 1-0 records when the rivalry resumes for 2008.
