Third-seeded Libby-Mitchell eliminates second-seeded Stockhouse in the American Legion Zone 4 baseball tournament

No. 3 Libby-Mitchell overcame an early deficit to knock off No. 2 Stockhouse, 4-2, in the American Legion Zone 4 tournament semifinals on Wednesday in Westbrook.

Libby-Mitchell (15-4) advances to face No. 1 Nova Seafood today (Thursday) at 4:30 p.m. at Deering High School. The winner gets a spot in the state tournament, while the runner-up must play a play-in game on Saturday in Augusta. The loss eliminated Stockhouse from the tournament.

Stockhouse, with players from Westbrook High, took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as Lance Ludka led off the game with a double and scored on Christian Hamilton’s double. Scott Heath walked and later scored on Matt Foye’s groundout.

Libby-Mitchell pitcher Chris Bernard settled in after the first inning, allowing only three hits the rest of the way and keeping Stockhouse (14-5) off the scoreboard for the final eight innings. Bernard struck out 13 – including the side in order in the bottom of the ninth – in a complete game.

Libby-Mitchell, with players from Scarborough and Bonny Eagle high schools, scored single runs in the third, fourth, fifth and eighth innings.

Joe Cronin walked to lead off the third, stole second, moved to third on a groundout and scored on Jake Rutt’s sacrifice fly.

In the fourth, Joe Davis reached on a bunt single, was moved along by a sacrifice bunt by Jimmy Rouse and a fielder’s choice, and scored on a wild pitch to tie the game.

Cronin singled to lead off the fifth, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error, and scored on a wild pitch to put Libby-Mitchell on top, 3-2.

Scott Heath started and pitched 4 and 1/3 innings for Stockhouse. He took the loss. Christian Hamilton relieved Heath with one out in the fifth. Libby-Mitchell added an insurance run in the eighth as Kevin Moskevich doubled with two outs and scored on Cronin’s RBI single.

Moskevich finished with three hits for Libby-Mitchell. Ludka had two hits for Stockhouse.

Libby-Mitchell’s Kevin Moskevich slides safely across home plate as Stockhouse catcher Tayler Clouatre gets the throw too late.Libby-Mitchell’s Adam Morin (left) and Ryan Boyington cheer from the dugout after the final out is made.Stockhouse’s Jake Gardiner makes solid contact.Libby-Mitchell’s Joe Davis dives safely back to first base.Libby-Mitchell’s Brendan Sullivan tags out Stockhouse’s Christian Hamilton near third base.Libby-Mitchell’s Joe Cronin successfully steals second base as Stockhouse shortstop Matt Foye waits for the throw.Stockhouse starter Scott Heath delivers a pitch.Libby-Mitchell’s Chris Bernard pitched a complete game with 13 strikeouts in his team’s 4-2 win over Stockhouse.

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