Gabe Gifford and Lucas Moore lead Old Town to Class B state baseball title
Senior lefthander Gabe Gifford tossed a two-hit masterpiece and senior third baseman Lucas Moore singled home the game’s only run in the sixth inning as Old Town won its second Class B state championship in three years with a win over Yarmouth.
Yarmouth’s Liam Hickey also pitched a gem, allowing five hits. The only run was unearned.
Gifford’s shutout was his third of the playoffs.
Old Town wound up 17-3 while Yarmouth finished at 14-6.
The University of Maine-bound Gifford struck out six and walked one. He threw just 80 pitches, 54 for strikes.
Old Town’s Lucas Moore beats the ball to Yarmouth first baseman David Swift and is safe at first in the second inning of the class B state championship game at Mansfield Stadium on Tuesday. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN
James Dumond opened the sixth inning for Old Town by reaching on the shortstop’s throwing error and went to second on Nathan Baker’s sacrifice bunt before scoring when Moore lined his two-out single to left center.
The game got off to an auspicious start for the Coyotes when junior catcher and No. 3 hitter Jackson Lizzotte sustained a hand injury in the top of the first inning and had to leave the game.
On a 1-2 pitch, Andrew Cheever swung at a Gifford delivery and he caught the glove and hand of Lizzotte, resulting in a catcher’s interference call.
Old Town’s Gabe Gifford celebrates on second base after hitting a double in the first inning of the class B state championship game against Yarmouth Tuesday at Mansfield Stadium. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN
The next hitter grounded out on the first pitch but, before the next hitter, the coaching staff and trainer were summoned to evaluate Lizzotte’s hand and he wound up leaving the game.
He was replaced by sophomore Baker.
Senior righthander Hickey struck out 10 and walked one.
Old Town had a glorious opportunity to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Gifford led off with a double that eluded the center fielder, who had a shot to make the catch.
But two strikeouts sandwiched a grounder to second and he was stranded at third.
Old Town’s Lucas Moore is safe back at first after trying to steal second base in the second inning of the class B state championship game Tuesday at Mansfield Stadium. Yarmouth first baseman David Swift (#14) waits for the throw from second baseman Matt Gautreau (#2). Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN
The Coyotes had another chance to break the deadlock in the third inning when Gifford grounded a sharp single through the box and stole second.
Following a strikeout, Baker blooped a single into left center, sending Gifford to third.
But Brendan Mahaney’s liner down the first base line was snared by first baseman David Swift, who then stepped on the bag to complete a double play.
The Clippers had their first scoring chance in the fourth when Sam Lowenstein grounded a single to center with two outs and scampered to third on an errant pickoff throw by Gifford.
But Sam Bradford lined to left for the final out.
Gifford was the game’s only repeat hitter with a double and single.