BIDDEFORD — Biddeford High leadoff batter Corey Creeger had already used his speed to get on base and advance to third.

With two outs in the seventh inning of Thursday’s game against Marshwood, he was looking for one more opportunity.

When a first-pitch fastball by Zach Quintal was high and popped out of catcher Luke Stankovich’s mitt, Creeger didn’t hesitate and easily scored the winning run in a 2-1 walk-off victory for the Tigers, who have won nine straight.

“I like to make plays and I was just saying to myself, ‘Come on, passed ball,’ ” Creeger said. “I was at least probably if not half, really close to halfway down the line. I was gone. It was just a matter of the catcher not making a play. I had it in my mind I was gone.”

Creeger had reached on a chopping infield single, was sacrificed to second by Kerry Crepeau, then stole third when Quintal struck out Corey Brown on a curveball in the dirt.

Creeger scored the first run for the Tigers (13-2) in similar fashion, working a one-out walk in the fifth, stealing second, then stealing third.

He scored when Stankovich’s high throw to third ticked off Patrick Fallon’s glove, making it 1-1.

“Both teams really brought it tonight,” Creeger said, “Definitely the pitchers. Both pitchers played a great game. If it wasn’t for little plays like that, being on your toes and making the plays when it really mattered, we weren’t going to win this game.”

Marshwood (11-3) had won eight straight but could generate only two hits and three baserunners off unbeaten junior left-hander Nate Huot – both ground singles by the No. 8 batter C.J. Davis.

Huot entered the game with a 0.74 ERA and is now 7-0.

“What was really working well was my change-up,” Huot said. “It’s something I’ve been working on and it was my best pitch tonight.”

“He’s been good all season but his command was outstanding, and this was the best that I’ve seen him pitch this season,” Biddeford Coach Keith Leblanc said.

Marshwood’s run came without a hit in the fourth. Zach Hodges drew the lone walk, stole second, was moved up on a bunt and came home on a fly to center by Jake Lebel.

Biddeford had just six singles against Quintal, who struck out 10 and showed serious grit, pitching out of a bases-loaded one-out jam in the fifth created by two errors after Creeger scored.

“I don’t think either team had a hard-hit baseball,” Marshwood Coach Eric Fernandes said. “When you walk guys and you can run like Biddeford can, then something’s going to happen.”

Steve Craig can be reached at 791-6413 or at:

scraig@pressherald.com

Twitter: SteveCCraig

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