By Dave Dyer

Staff Writer

Sometimes it’s okay to fall short of perfection.

Imperfect weather conditions and imperfect baseball didn’t slow Libby-Mitchell Post 76 from defeating First Title of Maine 14-9 in an American Legion Baseball matchup Tuesday evening at Saint Joseph’s College’s Larry Mahaney Diamond in Standish.

Libby-Mitchell, comprised of players from both Scarborough and Bonny Eagle High School, came back from an early 4-0 deficit to finish the game, outscoring First Title by six runs. 

First Title, a team of Cheverus High School players, started scoring in the first inning, when rightfielder Peter Potthoff hit an RBI single to left field off Libby-Mitchell pitcher Jake Rutt, ending the inning with a 1-0 lead.

First Title continued its offensive attack in the bottom of the second inning, scoring three runs off of Rutt, highlighted by an RBI single by centerfielder Nick Melville, giving First Title a 4-0 lead.

Libby-Mitchell’s offense finally came around in the top of the third inning. With catcher Conor McCann on third and centerfielder Joe Davis on first, shortstop Lincoln Sanborn hit a line drive shot over the left field wall, making the score 4-3.

First Title added to its lead in the bottom of the third inning, when second baseman Joe Falconciri knocked a base hit to left to score Potthoff from second base. Designated hitter Eliot Pickering hit into a fielder’s choice to score catcher Nic Lops, giving First Title a 6-3 lead.

Libby-Mitchell collected three runs in the top of the fourth inning to tie the game at six runs apiece. After an infield single by rightfielder Jimmy Rouse and a walk to left fielder Ryan Nason, pinch hitter Ian Ramsdell whacked an RBI double to left center field, scoring Rouse from second base. Second baseman Joe Cronin followed by hitting into a fielder’s choice, which scored Nason from third base. Two batters later, Sanborn hit an RBI single to right field to bring home Davis to tie the game.

After Libby-Mitchell gave up a run in the bottom of the fourth, the floodgates opened for the team’s offense in the top of the fifth. First baseman Chris Bernard started the inning off by cranking a 0-1 fastball off pitcher Harry Ridge over the scoreboard in left field to tie the game at 7-7.

“He was just throwing his fastball in the zone all game,” Bernard said. 

Three batters later, catcher Kevin Moskevich hit an RBI double to score third baseman Brendan Sullivan, and Cronin hit a two-run double to give Libby-Mitchell a 10-7 lead.

First Title tried to stage a comeback, scoring another run in the bottom of the fifth inning to bring the score to 10-8. However, Libby-Mitchell scored four more runs in the top of the sixth inning, highlighted by a three-run double hit by Moskevich. Heading into the seventh inning, Libby-Mitchell led 14-8.

First Title was only able to muster one run off of Cronin, who took over pitching in the seventh inning to close out the game.

Libby-Mitchell head coach Will Sanborn said it was good to see the team win, even though they did not have their best performance.

“We had an early deficit, that was good to see us come back,” Sanborn said. “We didn’t play our best game defensively or running the bases, but when you don’t play well and win, that’s a good sign.”

The win put Libby-Mitchell’s record for the season at 3-1. Sanborn said he has been impressed with the depth of this year’s team so far.

Bernard said he has been impressed with his team’s motivation.

“I think the biggest thing is, everyone wants to win,” Bernard said. “Sometimes you see some lazy summer teams, but we have goals and we want to win.”

Libby-Mitchell will travel to Portland on Saturday to play a double-header against Nova Seafood, comprised of players from Deering High School. The first game begins at 9:30 a.m.

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