Cougar boys win quarterfinals easily

DIXFIELD -- It really is an advantage when everything works out and that's what the Dirigo baseball team thrived on in its Class C quarterfinal playoff game at sunny Harlow Park.

Chad Snowman erupted for three hits, including a double and three RBI as the Cougars offense pounded out 14 hits in a convincing 13-2 in over No. 9 Old Orchard Beach. The game was called after four and one half innings because of the mercy rule.

TJ Frost, Tyler Frost, Caleb Turner, Hunter Ross and Ben Holmes each had two hits. The Cougars figured out OOB starting pitcher Dan Bonneau for three straight singes to lead off the bottom of the first inning. Dirigo extended its winning streak to 16 games and received plaques for winning the Mountain Valley Conference championship for the second year in a row.

The Cougars earned the title, based on having the best record during the regular season, and the championship game could not be played because of wet grounds at Saint Dom's campus in Auburn.

Dirigo's aggressiveness on the base paths paid off against OOB. TJ Frost and Turner each singled in the first. The Seagull infielders were sleeping, so Turner raced to second and Frost raced home when the throw went to second. Snowman checked a swing on the first pitch for a single to score Turner. Holmes singled and Cody St. Germain had an RBI ground out.

Ross led off the second with a hustle double and scored one out later. Turner singled and when OOB missed the cut off, Ross raced home.

"Basically, I'm suppose to be a spark in the number nine spot," said Ross. "My main job is bunting, but today I really didn't have to. I just wanted to keep things going for the top of the order."

The huge lead allowed Holmes to be lifted after three innings. The tall right hander struck out seven of the nine batters. Holmes is the all-time school leader in wins, having passed the record of 21 set by former cougar Ryan Lafleur. Holmes had thrown a no-hitter and one-hitter in his prior starts, working with catcher Jake Dowland.