BOWDOINHAM

Little has gone right so far this season for the Ararat Junior American Legion baseball team.

The winless squad has struggled to come together, both on the field and at the plate. There was a question if there was going to be a team at all, considering the cost to field the team and the lack of a sponsor.

But, on Tuesday Ararat battled a solid Augusta Capitals team tooth and nail, tied 2-2 through three innings.

In the end, the Capitals showed their depth, scoring the game’s final six runs en route to an 8-2 win, sending Ararat to an 0-8 mark so far. However, head coach John Grant was pleased with his team’s effort.

“We have a lot of individuals that have good skills, it is just about building the confidence on the field in playing together,” said Grant. “Guys on base, you have to play your game around that. A few more hits would help. It is about getting them in the right spots.”

At the top of the list on Tuesday was starting pitcher Blair Kopp, who went 6 1/3 solid innings. He struck out four, walked one and threw 99 pitches.

“Blair, that is typical. He has a great presence on the field and this is what he does every time out,” said Grant. Comeback

The Capitals (6-2) struck first, taking a 2-0 lead in the third inning when No. 9 hitter Mike Levesque scored on an error. With two outs, Dean Jackson launched a double off the fence in leftcenter field to score Charles Speigel. Both runs were unearned, with two miscues in the inning by Ararat.

It didn’t take long for Ararat to respond. After stranding a pair of runners on base in both the first and second frames, Zach Grant doubled to left field and Kopp walked. A throwing error allowed Zach Grant to score, and Kopp trotted home on a single by Cam Grant to tie the game.

Jackson started for the Capitals, but lasted just 2 1/3 innings after walking four Ararat hitters and throwing 55 pitches.

But, Dan White slowed Ararat down the rest of the way, going 4 2/3 innings on four strikeouts, one walk and two hits. Ararat finished with four hits.

The Capitals claimed a 4-2 lead in the fourth. With two outs, Tyler Dostie singled and Levesque followed with a ground-rule double. On the next pitch, Cody Taylor singled up the middle to plate both runners.

The game remained 4-2 into the sixth inning when Levesque (2-for-3, three runs, RBI) hurt Ararat again. This time he tripled to deep center field to score Noah Bonsant, and Taylor (2-for-5, three RBIs) singled to make for a 6-2 contest.

The Capitals tacked on two more runs in the seventh to complete the scoring.

Nick Prooler had three hits for the Capitals, including a double.

Cam Dunton pitched the final two-thirds of an inning for Ararat, walking three and striking out one. Kopp walked in all three of his plate appearances.

Capitals 8, Ararat 2

Junior American Legion Baseball, at Bowdoinham

	Capitals		— 002	202	2	—	8-	11-2
Ararat		—	002	000	0	—	2-	4-3

Dean Jackson, Dan White (3) and Yoki Wallace, Alec Shorey (4), Yoki Wallace (7); Blair Kopp, Cam Dunton (7) and Dan Stewart. Doubles — (C) Dean Jackman, Mike Levesque, Nick Pooler; (A) Cam Grant. Triple — (C) Mike Levesque. Repeat hitters — (C) Nick Pooler, Mike Levesque, Cody Taylor. Records — Capitals 6-2, Ararat 0-8. Up next for Ararat — Thursday vs. Lawrence at Bowdoinham, 5:30 p.m.