BANGOR — The Post 51 American Legion baseball team of Oakland earned the top seed in the Zone 1 tournament in this, its first season in the zone. But on Friday night, Post 51 learned the zone title still runs through Bangor.
The Coffee News Comrades of Bangor scored the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning to take a 3-2 win over Post 51 at Husson University’s Winkin Complex. With the win, Bangor clinched a spot in the state tournament. Post 51 will face Brewer at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Husson, with the winner advancing to the zone title game and also earning a trip to the state tournament.
In the top of the ninth, Sam Huston hit a possible double play ball to Post 51 shortstop Jared Cunningham, but Cunningham’s throw to first base sailed high and out of play, advancing Huston to second base. Andrew Hillier’s single to left then scored Huston on a close play at the plate, giving the Comrades the lead. Huston’s headfirst slide just beat the tag of Trevor Gettig.
Hillier allowed a one-out infield single to Dylan Hapworth in the bottom of the ninth, but Bangor turned a double play to end the game.
Bangor took a 2-1 lead in the top of the seventh. Ryan Brookings led off with a triple down the left field line, and scored on Ben Crichton’s single to left. After Sam Huston singled with one out, Frazee’s night was over. Devin Warren came on and picked up two strikeouts to end the threat and get out of the inning.
Frazee worked out of trouble throughout his night, allowing eight hits and six walks while striking out one.
Post 51 tied the game in the bottom of the eighth. Gettig led off with a single that hit second base, and advanced to second on an error in center field. After going to third base on a wild pitch, Gettig scored on a Cunningham single.
The Comrades took an early lead, when Peter Kemble drove in Crichton in the first inning. Post 51 answered when Zach Mathieu (3 for 4) scored from first base on Hapworth’s single to right field.
Kemble started for Bangor and went seven-plus innings, allowing seven hits and one walk while striking out two. Hillier pitched the final two innings for the win.
Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242
Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM
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