Staff Writer

Larry Mahaney Diamond in Standish could have been confused for the new Yankee Stadium last week with the number of home runs hit over the right field wall.

The Scarborough High School baseball team had their season cut short by the Deering Rams by a score of 16-10 in the Maine Western Class A Final June 17 at the Larry Mahaney Diamond at Saint Joseph’s College. Offense was clearly on display for both teams, as a total of four homeruns were hit during the game.

The Red Storm started the offensive fireworks in the top of the first inning, when catcher Jacob Rutt hit a towering home run off Deering pitcher Taylor Candage over the right field wall to give Scarborough a 1-0 lead.

Deering came back in the bottom of the first, scoring five runs off Red Storm pitcher Chris Bernard. The inning started with a single up the middle by Rams leftfielder Samuel Balzano. After walks to shortstop Matthew Powers and first baseman Regan Flaherty to load the bases, Bernard walked Candage, scoring the Rams first run. Centerfielder Jack Heary hit into a fielder’s choice scored two runs and an RBI single by catcher Marc Ouimet quickly made the score 5-1 in favor of Deering.

The Red Storm hit back in the second inning, when centerfielder Jimmy Rouse hit a two run double, scoring rightfielder Neil Ravin and second baseman Joe Cronin. Rouse’s hit was followed by another home run by Rutt, who hit the ball in almost the exact location over the right field wall to make the score 5-5.

After Deering scored two more runs in the bottom of the second, giving them a 7-5 lead, the Red Storm had another power surge, scoring four runs. Shortstop Brandon Sullivan hit a two run triple to tie the game. Sullivan later scored on a passed ball, giving Scarborough an 8-7 lead.

However, the highlight of the inning, and perhaps the game, was Bernard’s steal of home plate. After drawing a walk, reaching second on a fielder’s choice and reaching third base on a passed ball, Bernard timed up Candage’s delivery and performed his best Jackie Robinson impersonation, sprinting down the third base line. As the pitch got away from Ouimet, Bernard slid headfirst into the plate, taking out Ouimet’s legs and giving the Red Storm a 9-7 advantage.

The Rams remained unfazed by Scarborough’s offensive output, scoring five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. After Powers singled to center and Flaherty drew a walk, Candage crushed a Bernard fastball over the wall in right centerfield. 

Candage said he was waiting on Bernard’s best pitch.

“I knew he was going to throw a fastball and it went out,” Candage said.

Heary followed Candage with a triple hit to right field, and Ouimet finished Bernard’s day by hitting a two run homer over the rightfield wall, giving Deering a 12-9 lead.

Bernard, who will attend the University of Maine at Orono on a baseball scholarship, ended his day pitching less than four innings, with 12 runs allowed, six walks and four strikeouts.

The Rams scored four more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, highlighted by a two run double by rightfielder Luke Hammond and an RBI double by Powers to give Deering a 16-9 lead. Scarborough could only muster one more run in the top of the seventh, as Cronin scored with the bases loaded when Bernard was hit by a pitch from Powers. 

Heary, Ouimet and Powers, who each had two hits apiece, led Deering offensively. The Red Storm were led offensively by Rutt, who collected four hits and finished a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. Rouse also contributed with three hits on the day.

Candage finished the game with the one home run and 3 runs batted in, as well as pitching more than three innings, giving up nine runs. He also walked three batters and struck out five.

Candage attributed the Rams’ success with their ability to battle through games.

“We love to win, we’ve got great coaches,” Candage said. “We just love to win and battle.”

Scarborough head coach Jim Cronin said he was proud of his team’s performance throughout the game and season.

“I am extremely proud of how this team conducted themselves on and off the field,” Cronin said. “It was a battle. They put up runs, we came from behind. I have nothing but the utmost pride.”

Cronin said this year’s team has been the hardest working he had seen as a coach. He said he will miss the senior ballplayers who played their last game, including Bernard, Ravin, Rouse, Ian Ramsdell, Matthew Duquette and Will Armishaw, but is looking forward to the younger players who will come back next season.

“I’m really excited about our young guys,” Cronin said. “They’ve experienced what it’s like to get ready for a big game.”

Scarborough finished the season with a 14-5 overall record.

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