Red Stormer Bayley Welsh added a late-game run on a Nick Lorello single against visiting Massabesic on Thursday, May 12. Welsh and Lorello’s combined effort capped a come-from-behind push that ultimately earned Scarborough a 4-3 victory over the Mustangs.

“We’re doing all right; it was a good game,” said Scarborough head coach Mike D’Andrea. “Massabesic played tough tonight. Coach Renaud is doing a nice job with that team.”

D’Andrea had warned his boys about the Mustangs: “Before the game even started, I said, ‘This is a team you’ve got to watch out for. I’ve watched their scores, they’re playing teams tough. They’re one of those teams, their record’s not so great, but you know they can beat anybody on any given day. There’s a lot of those teams.”

The win bumped Scarborough to 7-1 on the year; they’ve since picked up a second loss (to South Portland, 5-1) and an eighth win (over Cheverus, 6-4). The Storm are sixth in A South at present, a slot back from Portland (9-1) and one ahead of Gorham (6-3). They travel to Westbrook on Thursday, May 19.

Scarborough struck first in Thursday’s action. Lead-off man Tim Carion knocked a single to right, then promptly scored when Josh Reed followed him to the plate and blasted a triple down the rightfield line. Reed crossed home himself when Connor Kelly grounded to short.

“Josh picked us up early with that big hit,” said D’Andrea, “and he had great base-running; ball was bobbled, kept going, didn’t even hesitate.”

“The Massabesic pitcher did a really nice job,” said D’Andrea, “basically throwing one pitch, the fastball, but he stayed out of the middle of the plate and pitched to the edges. We didn’t square him up really well. A few times here or there, sporadically, but overall he did a nice job. Their catcher did a nice job, too, threw us out trying to run bases.” 

Brandon Dyer started on the mound for the Mustangs, and Dawson Renaud played opposite him, behind the plate.

It took the Mustangs a couple innings to respond, but when they did – in the top of the third – they seized control. Simon Roberts, Tyrus Sprague-Ripley and Renaud all tallied runs in the stretch, putting Massabesic on top 3-2.

“Obviously, we had a rough inning,” said D’Andrea. “But [starting pitcher Mitchell Wedge] settled down and threw strikes, and we made plays. The inning we gave up some runs, we made some errors and kicked the ball around a little bit and gave them opportunities.”

Scarborough continued to put the ball in play, connecting in the third and the fourth both, but they didn’t balance the scoreboard till the fifth. Reed clubbed a grounder to third, but the Massabesic throw to first flew far wild of the baseman there, allowing Reed safe passage all the way to second. He then rounded to home when Kelly grounded a single into center. 3-3.

Then, in the bottom of the six, the Storm struck again, putting up the eventual game-winner.  Welsh kicked off the scoring push, blasting a ball toward second; diving Massabesic baseman Derek Coulombe snagged the line-drive, but it flopped out of his glove on his way to the ground, and Welsh arrived untouched at first. Two batters later, John Timpson sac bunted and Welsh reached second. Finally, Lorello singled into wide right – and a prettier ball placement the Storm could not have hoped for, as it gave Welsh all the time he needed to reach home standing. 4-3.

The Mustangs did get a man on in the top of the seventh – namely, Jake Gregoire – but they only barely managed it and were already down two outs. The momentum had abandoned them, and Scarborough took the W.

D’Andrea praised a number of his boys. “Connor Kelly had three hits for us today – or two, but I think he lined out to short, so he was on it. Stole second on a big play and scored. And obviously Nick Lorello, coming up and getting that two-out RBI down the rightfield line.”

Lorello went 1-4 on the day, but he sure picked the right time to find the sweet spot. Meanwhile, Matt Caron, Tim Carion and Jack Hughes logged a hit apiece as well.

Massabesic shortstop Derek Coulombe tries for the tag on Scarborough runner Tim Carion.

Scarborough’s Mitchell Wedge unwinds into a pitch vs. Massabesic on Thursday evening, May 12.

Scarborough catcher Bayley Welsh powers a throw toward first on Thursday.

Scarborough shortstop Nick Lorello reels in a throw at second as a Massabesic runner slides for the bag.

Scarboruogh basemen Matt Caron pulls the trigger on a 5-3 attempt.

Scarborough’s Bayley Welsh dives back to first. Welsh would score the winning run for the Red Storm over Massabesic in the teams’ matchup last Thursday.