PORTLAND – For a second straight game, Westbrook left-hander Scott Heath had a no-hit bid broken up by a pinch hitter in the sixth inning.

This time Heath settled for a two-hitter but faced the minimum 21 batters in seven innings as unbeaten Westbrook beat Deering 6-0 in a Telegram League baseball game Saturday at Hadlock Field.

Additional Photos

Joe Quinlan of Westbrook slides past a tag applied by Deering catcher John Miranda to score on a steal of home during the fourth inning of unbeaten Westbrook's 6-0 victory Saturday at Hadlock Field. Photos by Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

Westbrook pitcher Scott Heath, center, and his brother, catcher Kyle Heath, celebrate after the final out Saturday as the unbeaten Blue Blazes downed Deering 6-0 at Hadlock Field.

Scott Heath of Westbrook pitched a two-hit shutout, adding to a season that has seen him chalk up another two-hitter and two one-hitters among his five starts.

Devon Fitzgerald of Deering is picked off first base immediately after breaking up Scott Heath's no-hit bid with a single up the middle as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning.

The Rams (9-2) saw an eight-game winning streak stopped by the Blue Blazes (11-0), who came out swinging in the first two innings.

“We have outstanding pitching and we play great defense,” said Westbrook Coach Mike Rutherford. “We had some key hits early. Deering didn’t hit the ball hard. That’s a tribute to (Heath) because Deering has some good hitters.”

In his five wins, Heath has two one-hitters and two two-hitters. He hasn’t given up a run in 31 innings.

“I’m pleased with the way I pitched,” said Heath, who is headed to the University of Maine on a baseball scholarship. “I spotted my fastball and had a lot of late movement on my curve.

“It was a great day to play and on this beautiful field. We knew if we came in here and played like we’ve been playing, we would be tough to beat. We’re going to be tough to beat the rest of the way if we play like this.

“Deering is a big rival in baseball. It’s nice to beat them after they beat us pretty good two years ago.”

Heath had a no-hitter through 51/3 innings. Pinch-hitter Devon Fitzgerald grounded a single through the middle with one out in the sixth. Then Heath picked him off.

With one out in the bottom of the first, Heath walked Matt Bevilacqua and also picked him off.

The other runner who reached base was doubled off.

Sam Balzano, who will join Heath at UMaine next fall, led off the bottom of the seventh by dumping an opposite-field single to left.

The next batter, Bevilacqua, lined to first baseman Sam Stauble, who stepped on the bag for the double play. The speedy Balzano was running on the pitch.

Heath got the final out by fielding a grounder in front of the mound and throwing to first.

Heath had doubles in the first and second innings for two runs batted in.

In the first, Kyle Heath opened with a single off Deering pitcher Nick DiBiase. Heath, a freshman, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on his brother’s double to the fence in right-center.

Scott Heath then scored on a base hit by Zach Collett.

The Blazes added three runs in the second to lead 5-0. Jake Gardiner walked. After a strikeout, Stauble singled to center. When Balzano fumbled the ball for an error, Gardiner kept running and scored.

After a fly to center, the Heaths hit back-to-back doubles, one to right and the other to left. Stauble scored on the first one and Kyle Heath scored on his brother’s hit.

Joe Quinlan stole home in the fourth to make it 6-0. It was against a left-hander (DiBiase) whose back was to third and a right-handed batter was up, helping block the catcher’s view. Quinlan also got a great jump.

Heath had three strikeouts, a low number for him, and one walk. He retired 14 consecutive hitters at one point. The Blazes played errorless ball.

In his previous start May 12 against Marshwood at Westbrook, Heath no-hit the Hawks for five innings. A pinch hitter led off the sixth with a single to right.

“It seemed every one of his pitches was down by the knees,” said Deering Coach Mark Sutton. “When you get behind him, it’s difficult to come back.

“We made some mistakes and Westbrook hit the ball well. We haven’t seen someone with a pickoff move like his. I thought my pitcher, Nick DiBiase, made some adjustments and pitched well after the second inning.”

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at:

tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH

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