TOPSHAM

Messalonskee’s Josh Joy pitched five strong innings behind some solid defensive support as the visitors came away with an 8-2 Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference win over Mt. Ararat in high school baseball action on Wednesday.

Joy induced three double plays to end Mt. Ararat (0-1) threats as Messalonskee began the season 1-0.

Mt. Ararat used four pitchers. Jake O’Neill got the start and was the victim of a Messalonskee offense that featured a variety of seeing-eye ground balls and a couple of errors that gave Messalonskee a 2-0 lead after two.

The wheels fell off in the top of the third. A lead-off infield single looked harmless after O’Neill retired the next two batters. But, two singles plated another run and Adam Sirois came on in relief. But, three walks later upped Messalonskee’s lead to 5-0. Sirois escaped further damage with a fly out to end the frame.

Sophomore Kaileb Hawkes took over on the mound for Mt. Ararat. The young fire-baller gave up a lead-off single to Messalonskee’s Sam Bell, who stole second and advanced to third on a fielder’s choice. Connor Garland drove him home before Hawkes settled down and retired the next two batters on weak grounders.

The hosts got on the board in the fourth inning when Ryan Mello walloped a long drive over the left fielder’s head for a double. He advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a fielder’s choice. In the top of the fifth, Kaileb Hawkes registered the first scoreless inning for Mt. Ararat.

In the bottom of the inning, Mt. Ararat played some small ball. Harper Moutal led off with a single, moved to second on a fielder’s choice and to third on a wild pitch. After Kyle Brennan walked, the Eagles successfully executed a double steal for the team’s second run.

Garrett Moody worked a walk before Joy bore down and retired the next two batters.

Alex Miranda came on to pitch the final two innings for Mt Ararat, including a scoreless sixth inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Mt. Ararat coach Bob Neron pinch hit to get his bench players some at-bats and they responded. Ethan Boyko drew a walk and Eddie Van Note drilled a line single to right, but another double play killed the rally. A long fly ball to center field by Cam Cox ended the game.

There were a couple of defensive gems by the Eagles. Nate Leslie tracked a twisting pop up down the third baseline in foul territory and made a nice running catch with his glove fully extended. Nick Merrill combined his athleticism with some heads up thinking when he backhanded a ball deep in the hole and did a backhand flip to Leslie at third, who applied the tag on a sliding Messalonskee runner to complete the unusual 6-5 putout.

Tyler Lewis led Messalonskee at the plate, going 4- for-4, while Josh Kasey singled and doubled. Cam Cox and Eddie Van Note also singled for Mt. Ararat.

Mt. Ararat returns to action on Friday at Cony. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.