Staff Writer

They might not have had much competition, but the Scarborough Red Storm baseball team got plenty of exercise running around the bases on the Massabesic Mustangs.

The Red Storm defeated the Mustangs 15-3 in five innings before being called due to the 10-run rule Tuesday afternoon in Scarborough. With the win, the team raised their record to 5-2 on the season.

Scarborough’s offensive onslaught started early, as the team scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning against Massabesic starting pitcher Matt Turnage. Shortstop Brendan Sullivan, third baseman Ian Ramsdell and left fielder Blake Brubach each had a run batted in during the inning.

The Red Storm added two more runs in the second inning from a Chris Bernard double, giving Scarborough an early 6-0 lead. However, the team would more than double that figure in the third inning alone.

Eight runs were scored by Scarborough in the bottom of the third inning. Mustang relief pitcher Brandon Melanson could not figure out a way to get batters out, walking three and giving up a single without recording an out. After four batters, Melanson was pulled and replaced by Mike Guay, who did not fare much better than his predecessor, giving up RBI hits to Sullivan, Bernard, Ramsdell and right fielder Neil Ravin before finally being able to pitch his way out of the inning with his team trailing 13-0.

The Mustangs were able fight back somewhat in the top of the fourth inning. Massabesic third baseman David Chaves stole home on a double steal to give the Mustangs their first run, and Turnage scored on a base hit by catcher Andrew Cessario.

Scarborough would add one more run in the bottom of the fourth inning on a base hit by Dan Murphy that scored Matt Duquette.

Red Storm relief pitcher Ben Wessel closed out the game in the top of the fifth inning to give Scarborough the win.

Sullivan was the offensive leader for Scarborough during the game, finishing 3-3 with three RBIs and a stolen base. Bernard also added three RBIs, hitting two doubles. Ramsdell went 2-3 in the game, also with three RBIs. Every player in the starting lineup for Scarborough had at least one hit.

Andrew Myers pitched a strong game for the Red Storm, striking out five batters in four innings of work.

Massabesic was lead offensively by Chaves, who had a base hit and stole two bases.

Scarborough head coach Jim Cronin said the Red Storm played well, but told the team to focus on the next game.

“We got pitching and played defense, but we’ve got a tough one coming up on Thursday [against Bonny Eagle].”

The win was the second in a row for the Red Storm, as they had beaten the Portland Bulldogs 1-0 Monday night at Hadlock Field in Portland. Bernard pitched seven innings, striking out eight and giving up four hits. Brubach hit the game-winning double which scored Ravin to end the game.

Cronin said the team still has some difficult games left on their schedule.

“There’s still some tough games,” Cronin said. “But we’re past Deering and Westbrook. We still think we have a chance [at the playoffs]. I think we can string together some wins.”

The Red Storm also played Bonny Eagle on Thursday, and will hit the road for their next game at 4 p.m. Tuesday against the Windham Eagles.

Staff writer Dave Dyer can be reached at 282-4337 ext. 219