Mitchell Powers of Cheverus opened the season by pitching a four-hitter with 11 strikeouts in a victory against Bonny Eagle. On Tuesday, Powers had a couple of big hits in a 10-0 win over Sanford.

After graduating pitchers Louie DiStasio and Harry Ridge, Cheverus has tabbed Powers, a junior, as the team’s No. 1 pitcher. No surprise there after Powers’ outstanding American Legion season last summer.

It will be Powers and the rest of the staff in the Stags’ bid to stay at or near the top of the SMAA.

Left-hander Nate Smith, another junior, showed he could be a nice complement to Powers by pitching a two-hitter against Sanford in a five-inning game.

Powers pitched only nine innings last season because of elbow surgery on his throwing arm.

He had a fracture in his elbow and a pin was inserted to stablize the bone.

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Last summer he pitched for First Title of Maine, Cheverus’ American Legion team. First Title reached the final of the Northeast Regional.

Because the nerve in his elbow was overlapping the pin and causing discomfort, Powers had the pin removed last September.

“My elbow feels better than ever,” said Powers. “I had rehabilitation on it all this winter. My velocity is fine and I’m working with all of my pitches. I’m going to give it plenty of rest between starts.”

Powers’ next start is scheduled for Saturday against Thornton Academy at Cheverus.

“Mitchell looked very sharp against Bonny Eagle,” said Cheverus Coach Mac McKew. “We’re looking for one quality start a week from him. We’re going to take it easy with him. The big key for us is what we get from our other pitchers. We’ll be running guys out there all season.”

McKew said Powers will bat first or second in the lineup. Along with being a factor on the mound, Powers is expected to be one at the plate.

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“Mitchell will contribute offensively,” said McKew. “He’s probably our best baserunner. He’s a player with a very high baseball IQ.”

PITCHING IS USUALLY ahead of hitting at this time of the season. A look at the early-season action indicates as much. There were some strong pitching performances a week ago as many teams opened the season.

Ben Greenberg of Scarborough and Jeff Gelinas of Thornton Academy locked up in a pitcher’s duel. Greenberg allowed two hits and struck out eight. Gelinas allowed three hits and struck out 11. Scarborough won, 3-0.

Three days later, Jayme Lappin of Scarborough tossed a one-hitter as the Red Storm beat Massabesic, 5-0.

Other strong opening-day pitching performances were by Connor Graffam of Camden Hills, a one-hitter against Medomak Valley; Keenan Lowe of Westbrook, a one-hitter against Noble; Damon Wallace of Gorham, a three-hitter against Kennebunk; and Robert Jones of Marshwood, a three-hitter against Windham.

THE FALMOUTH baseball team spent school vacation week in Florida. It’s been an annual trip for the Yachtsmen. The team played six games against teams from Connecticut, Florida and New York. Falmouth went a respectable 3-3.

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Instead of practicing and playing in 40-degree weather, which would have the case here, Falmouth enjoyed temperatures in the 90s at the Disney World Complex.

“We played some really good competition. It was a great experience,” said Coach Kevin Winship.

“Just being in warm weather was great. Our pitchers were able to get their pitch counts up. The kids played some strong baseball. We lost some close games.”

The Yachtsmen played four games at the Atlanta Braves’ spring-training complex.

The players also got to watch a Division I college game between Central Florida and Florida Atlantic. Naturally, they also visited Disney World.

Apparently, the competition was good for Falmouth and pitcher Thomas Fortier.

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In the Yachtsmen’s first official game of the season, they shut out Cape Elizabeth 3-0 on Fortier’s no-hitter.

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

tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH

 


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