SACO — Thornton Academy scored four times in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a come from behind 8-6 win over Gorham, in an SMAA baseball tilt, Tuesday.
Chris Stasio’s run-scoring single with two out in the frame drove in pinch-runner Max O’Neil with what proved to be the winning run.
It was the crowning moment in another of a string of Thornton’s less than picturesque wins.
Not that there were any complaints coming from the Thornton dugout.
“We definitely needed a win,” said left fielder Derek Cameron. “We’re a young team, but it’s late in the season, so we can’t say that anymore. So we’ve just got to keep fighting every inning.”
The fight became more daunting after Gorham (3-10) sprinted to a 6-1 fourth inning lead.
Up to then, the lone Thornton (6-6-1) highlight was Steve Trask’s first-inning homer, a towering shot that dropped over the left field fence.
“We were really flat, earlier on,” said Thornton coach Greg Paradis. “We didn’t compete very well. We didn’t have great at bats. I just knew that if could plug away and get a couple runs here and there, that could put us in pretty decent shape.”
Paradis’ faith in his squad was repaid in the bottom o f the fourth, when the Trojans pushed across two runs, after Jon Dupee doubled in one run, and Stasio singled in another.
The Trojans continued their surge next inning, after Steve Trask reached first base on a swinging strike three that scooted back to the screen.
Sam Butts followed with a single, which spelled the end for Rams starter Jon Foster.
Reliever Nick Gowen came on and was promptly greeted by Cameron, who slugged a liner to left field that brought in two runs.
“We had some confidence coming from the last inning,” said Cameron. “We hit the ball really hard, and just made them pitch. We didn’t do much. Just hit the ball.”
The Trojans added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, when Cameron was singled in by Keegan Sullivan.
Sophomore fireballer Dimitri Skinsacos hurled three strong innings in relief and picked up the win.
Thornton will continue its quest for a playoff spot Thursday, at Cheverus.
— Contact Dan Hickling at 282-1535 ext. 318 or dhickling@journaltribune.com.
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