BY TRAVIS LAZARCZYK

Staff Writer

Dylan Hapworth, Winslow High School’s freshman shortstop, went on a family vacation to Sanibel Island, Florida, a few weeks ago. He came back with a scar, and an interesting story to share with his friends.

While swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, Hapworth was bitten on the leg by a small shark.

“I was swimming maybe 15, 20 feet out, and it got me, I guess,” Hapworth, who also pitches for the Black Raiders, said. “I got out of the water and I had a big gash in my leg.”

At first, Hapworth didn’t know he’d been bitten by a shark. He didn’t get a good look at the animal. The doctor who stitched his leg up recognized the wound as a shark bite.

“At first I thought it was a crab,” Hapworth said.

It took eight stitches to close the wound, Hapworth said, showing off the pink scar near his right shin. Hapworth said he’ll probably go back in the ocean.

* * *

The Waterville pitching staff is starting the season a little thin. Junior Tyler Bouchard has a sore shoulder that not only kept him off the mound all preseason, it kept him off the field for the Purple Panthers’ season opener at Winslow.

Bouchard was the designated hitter. He doubled and drove in the winning run from the cleanup spot.

“That’s going to be his role until he can get back in the field somewhere,” Waterville coach Don Sawyer said.

When healthy, Bouchard is expected to be Waterville’s No. 2 starter, behind senior J.T. Whitten.

“Other kids now will have to step up to the mound. We’ve got a couple kids who will throw really well this year,” Sawyer said.

Sawyer said either sophomore Brian Bellows or freshman A.J. Godin will start today’s game against Mt. View.

“They throw strikes, and if we can keep playing solid defense, we’ll be OK,” Sawyer said.

* * *

Nokomis opened the season with a strong offensive effort in a 12-2, six-inning win over Maine Central Institute. The Warriors had nine hits, four of which went for extra bases.

“They hit the ball really well,” Nokomis coach Jared Foster said. “It took a few innings to get comfortable.”

Justin Kasprzak had two hits, including a triple, and drove in three runs for the Warriors. Chandler Foss tripled and drove in a pair of runs. Jesse Hicks and Jake Winslow each doubled and had an RBI.

Senior Justin Amoroso pitched well, striking out six in a complete-game effort.

Nokomis doesn’t play again until Monday, when it plays at defending state champion Waterville.

“It’s always good to open with a win, but the real test comes Monday,” Foster said.

* * *

Messalonskee coach Ray Bernier was extremely pleased with his team’s effort in a 7-1 win over Brewer on opening day.

“The pitching went well. The hitting went well, and there’s no complaints with the defense,” Bernier said.

The Eagles had 12 hits, and junior pitcher Reid Nutter threw five solid innings, striking out four and walking four.

“His changeup was moving like crazy. To keep a team like Brewer to one run is a statement to his pitching,” Bernier said.

Messalonskee started three freshmen: Jake Dexter at second base, Trevor Gettig at catcher and Zach Mathieu at designated hitter. Mathieu will DH while nursing a sore shoulder.

The Eagles have a tough stretch of games coming up. After playing at Lewiston today and at Bangor on Monday, they host Mt. Blue next Friday. Lewiston, Bangor and Mt. Blue were the No. 1, 2 and 4 seeds in the Eastern A regional tournament last spring, respectively.

“I told the team, we have a good test at the start of the season,” Bernier said. “They seem to be up for the challenge.”

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

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