Portland senior shortstop Billy Barnard forces Biddeford senior Cam Twomey, then throws on to first too late for a double play during Wednesday’s contest. The Bulldogs committed six errors and lost, 12-7.

Derek Davis / Press Herald photos.

More photos below.

BOX SCORE

Biddeford 12 Portland 7

B- 103 141 2- 12 13 1
P- 000 030 4- 7 10 6

Top 1st
Rousselle singled to right, C. Edgerton scored.

Top 3rd
Lyons tripled to left, Demeule, Rousselle and Harriman scored.

Top 4th
Demeule singled to left, Perry scored.

Top 5th
Lyons and Perry scored on error. Demeule singled to right, C. Edgerton scored. Rousselle reached on infield single, K. Edgerton scored.

Bottom 5th
Do. Tocci singled to right, Brown scored. Stasium doubled to left, Da. Tocci and Do. Tocci scored.

Top 6th
Perry grounded out, Descoteaux scored.

Top 7th
Rousselle doubled to left, K. Edgerton scored. Crowell grounded out, Burnell scored.

Bottom 7th
Do. Tocci singled to center, Da. Tocci scored. Sawyer grounded out, Knop scored. Barnard reached on infield single, Do. Tocci and Stasium scored.

Multiple hits:
B- Rousselle 4, Demeule 3, Harriman
P- Do. Tocci 3, Knop

Runs:
B- C. Edgerton, K. Edgerton, Perry 2, Burnell, Demeule, Descoteaux, Harriman, Lyons, Rousselle
P- Da. Tocci, Do. Tocci 2, Brown, Knop, Stasium

RBI:
B- Lyons, Rousselle 3, Demeule 2, Crowell, Perry 
P- Barnard, Stasium, Do. Tocci 2, Sawyer

Doubles:
B- Demeule, C. Edgerton, Harriman, Rousselle
P- Stasium

Triple:
B- Lyons

Stolen bases:
B- Perry
P- Do. Tocci 2, Stasium

Left on base:
B- 9
P- 5

Harriman, O’Connor and Crowell; Riley, Lewandowski (5), Da. Tocci (6) and Knop.

B:
Harriman (W, 4-2) 6+ IP 9 H 6 R 6 ER 1 BB 3 K 1 Balk
O’Connor 1 IP 1 H 1 R 1 ER 1 BB 0 K 

Harriman faced three batters in the seventh.

P:
Riley (L, 3-3) 4 IP 7 H 5 R 5 ER  3 BB 4 K 1 WP
Lewandowski 1+ IP 3 H 5 R 0 ER 1 BB 1 K
Da. Tocci 2 IP 3 H 2 R 1 ER 0 BB 1 K 

Lewandowski faced two batters in the sixth.

Time: 2:09

PORTLAND—Just when Portland’s baseball team felt like it was peaking at the right time, it found out otherwise Wednesday afternoon at Hadlock Field. 

Not only did visiting Biddeford bring the offense in the teams’ pivotal late-season showdown, but the Bulldogs’ largesse was also responsible for a painful setback.

Portland made six errors and allowed the Tigers to produce 10 runs with two outs as Biddeford led from start to finish.

Biddeford went on top to stay in the top of the first inning when junior third baseman Matt Rousselle hit a two-out single to score senior shortstop Carter Edgerton, who had opened the game with a double.

In the top of the third, again with two outs, junior leftfielder Nick Lyons hit a bases-clearing, three-run triple for a 4-0 lead.

Senior first baseman Hunter Demeule drove in an unearned run in the fourth with a two-out single, then in the fifth, the Tigers scored four unearned runs to grab a 9-0 advantage.

The Bulldogs tried to rally in the bottom half, getting an RBI single from senior second baseman Donnie Tocci and a two-run double from senior centerfielder Ben Stasium, but Biddeford got a run back in the sixth, on another error, then plated two more runs in the seventh, thanks to an RBI double to the Maine Monster from Rousselle and an RBI groundout from sophomore catcher Ashton Crowell.

Portland made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh, scoring four times, but the hill was too steep to climb and the Tigers went on to a 12-7 victory.

Biddeford got four hits and three RBI from Rousselle as it improved to 8-6, dropping the Bulldogs to 8-7 in the process.

“We’ve struggled offensively most of the year, but maybe some warmer weather was a blessing,” said Tigers coach Keith LeBlanc. “The kids swung the bats hard today and looked to drive pitches, which we haven’t done much. It was nice to see.”

Heating up

Portland started with a 10-0, five-inning victory at Kennebunk, then blanked visiting Falmouth, 2-0, before losing at home to Thornton Academy (4-2) and at Gorham in a playoff rematch (3-1). The Bulldogs bounced back with wins at Sanford (8-0) and Westbrook (15-1, in five-innings), before losing at home to Noble (6-0), at South Portland (6-5, in 11-innings) and at home to Windham (5-1). Last Friday, Tocci no-hit visiting Cheverus (1-0), Saturday, Riley blanked host Bonny Eagle (6-0) and Tuesday, senior Sonny Villani threw a shutout in a 4-0 home win over Massabesic.

Biddeford started with a 1-0 home loss to Gorham, then knocked off host Sanford (13-6), visiting Noble (10-7) and host Marshwood (5-3). The Tigers then lost at home to Falmouth (8-0), at Bonny Eagle (4-3) and at home to Windham (6-2). After downing host Westbrook, 10-5, Biddeford lost at home to Cheverus (2-1) and was blanked at Scarborough (2-0). Shutout wins over visiting Massabesic (5-0) and host Kennebunk (6-0) and a 7-2 home victory over Deering then ensued.

Last year, Portland won, 4-0, at Biddeford.

Wednesday, on a comfortable (64 degrees at first pitch) evening, Biddeford turned the tide.

The Tigers took a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first, as Carter Edgerton jumped on Riley’s first pitch and doubled over the head of senior Jake Loranger in left. After junior designated hitter Kurtis Edgerton grounded out to short and Demeule grounded back to the mound, Rousselle fell behind 1-2, but lined a pitch the other way, into rightfield, for an RBI single. Riley then caught Crowell looking at strike three to end the frame.

Portland threatened in the bottom half, but Carter Edgerton’s glove bailed Biddeford out. Donnie Tocci led off with a single off the glove off senior second baseman Kiernan O’Connor and was balked by starting pitcher, sophomore Will Harriman, to second, but Stasium popped out to short, a sharp ground ball off the bat of senior rightfielder Ben Sawyer was stabbed by Edgerton going to his left (he threw on to first for the out) and junior first baseman Griffin Buckley flew out to center.

Riley then worked out of a jam in the top of the second.

Riley struck out Harriman swinging to start the frame, but junior leftfielder Nick Lyons reached on a throwing error by Barnard and after junior centerfielder Delano Hale grounded into a short-to-second force play, senior rightfielder Seth Perry, the No. 9 hitter, drew a walk on four pitches, but Riley got Carter Edgerton to ground out to second to end the threat.

In the bottom half, Barnard flew out to fairly deep right, Loranger struck out swinging and junior designated hitter Max Brown bounced out to second on the first pitch.

Biddeford then relied on more two-out magic in the top of the third to gain some separation.

Riley got Kurtis Edgerton to fly out to right leading off, but Demeule doubled over the head of Sawyer in right, Rousselle walked on a 3-2 pitch and after Crowell lined out deep to center, Harriman singled up the middle to load the bases.

That brought up Lyons, who fell behind 0-2, took a ball, then lifted the ball over third and down the leftfield line. It got past Loranger and rolled all the way to the wall and Demeule, Rousselle and Harriman all came home on the three-run triple to make it 4-0.

Riley got Hale to chase strike three, but the damage was done.

“That early lead gave us confidence that we could go out there and drive the ball over and over,” said Rousselle. “We have the potential to open up games at any moment.” 

“Getting an early lead was something that hadn’t happened much this year.” LeBlanc said. “We’ve had a lot of close, tight games. To get an early lead gave us some confidence.” 

Portland wasn’t able to answer in the bottom half of the frame, as sophomore third baseman Danny Tocci bounced out to second and after junior catcher Sam Knop reached on an infield single up the middle, Donnie Tocci popped out to third with Knop on the move and Knop was easily doubled off to end the frame.

Biddeford scored again with two outs in the top of the fourth.

Perry walked on a full count pitch leading off and after Carter Edgerton popped out to Knop behind the plate, Knop tried to pick Perry off, but his throw got away, allowing Perry to move to second. Kurtis Edgerton grounded out to third, but a Riley wild pitch moved Perry to third and Demeule went the other way, singling in the hole between short and third for an RBI and a 5-0 lead. Rousselle continued the frame with a single to center, but Riley caught Crowell looking at strike three to end it.

The Bulldogs had a chance to get on the board in the bottom half, but couldn’t do so.

Stasium led off with a sharp grounder to third, which Rousselle couldn’t handle for an error, and Stasium stole second, but when Sawyer grounded sharply back to Harriman, Stasium was caught in no man’s land and Harriman threw to Carter Edgerton to apply the tag. Buckley followed with a single to left, but Barnard popped out to third and Loranger, one pitch after lining a pitch down the leftfield line which appeared to kick up chalk, but was ruled foul, grounded into a short-to-second force to end the threat.

Senior Walter Lewandowski came on to pitch in the top of the fifth, where, through no fault of his, the game got out of hand.

Lewandowski got Harriman to ground to third, then, in a sign of things to come, Lyons reached when Danny Tocci’s throw got away for an error. Hale struck out for the second out, but Donnie Tocci couldn’t handle Perry’s grounder to second and Carter Edgerton walked to load the bases. Kurtis Edgerton then grounded to short, but Barnard couldn’t make the play and Lyons and Perry scored. Demeule followed with a single to right to score Carter Edgerton and when Rousselle beat out an infield single on a slow roller to third, Kurtis Edgerton scored as well. Crowell lined out to right, but Biddeford was firmly in control, up, 9-0.

To its credit, Portland showed some life in the bottom of the fifth, scoring three times.

Brown got things started with a single to center and he moved to second when Danny Tocci drew a walk. Knop struck out swinging, but Donnie Tocci came through with a single to right to score Brown and put runners at the corners. Donnie Tocci then stole second and both Tocci brothers came home on a deep double to left off the bat of Stasium.

The Bulldogs couldn’t draw any closer, however, as Sawyer grounded out to third, with Stasium moving up, and Loranger bounced out to third with Demeule making a nice scoop at first base to end the inning with the score 9-3. 

Biddeford answered right back in the top of the sixth, as Harriman led off with a double down the leftfield line and after he was replaced by sophomore courtesy runner Alec Descoteaux, Danny Tocci came on to pitch and struck out Lyons, but senior pinch-hitter Cam Twomey reached on an error by Buckley at first and Perry’s ground ball resulted in a second-to-short force out with Descoteaux scoring. Perry stole second, but was stranded when Carter Edgerton lined out to left.

In the bottom half, Barnard struck out swinging, Loranger flew out to right and Brown bounced out to second.

The Tigers tacked on two final runs in the seventh.

Kurtis Edgerton led off with a single to left and senior Carter Burnell followed with a single to left. Rousselle then crushed a pitch all the way to the fence in deep left which went for a run-scoring double with the runners stopping at second and third.

“It’s a totally different game in this ballpark,” Rousselle said. “That ball comes at you so much quicker and travels so much faster. Just looking around, seeing all the signs, it’s an awesome feeling. That (double) was pretty cool. A dream come true. We were just being aggressive at the plate, looking for good pitches and driving the ball.” 

Crowell’s ground out to third produced another run and Harriman’s fly out to left resulted in a double play as Rousselle wandered too far off third, but Biddeford had a 12-3 advantage.

Portland made things very interesting in the bottom half before going down to defeat.

Danny Tocci singled through the hole between short and third and Knop followed with a single to right. Donnie Tocci then lined a single to center, scoring Danny Tocci and putting runners at the corners, chasing Harriman in the process.

Harriman was replaced on the mound by O’Connor, who walked Stasium to load the bases, then got Sawyer to ground out to first on a 3-2 pitch to score one run. Buckley flew out to right, but Barnard kept faint hope alive with an infield single that allowed both Donnie Tocci and Stasium to come home. Loranger then ended it with a ground out to third and the Tigers celebrated their 12-7 victory, which needed 2 hours, 9 minutes to complete.

“It got a little hairy at the end, so I was glad to see us finish it off finally,” LeBlanc said.

Rousselle paced the offense with four hits and three RBI. He also scored a run.

Demeule had three hits, two RBI and a run scored.

Harriman also had multiple hits.

Carter Edgerton, Kurtis Edgerton and Perry scored two runs apiece, Burnell, Descoteaux, Harriman and Lyons also touched home.

Lyons had three RBI, while Crowell and Perry each had one.

The Tigers had five extra base hits and stranded nine runners.

Harriman improved to 4-2 after giving up six earned runs on nine hits in six-plus innings. He walked one, balked once and struck out three times.

O’Connor finished it off, allowing one earned run on one hit and one walk in one inning of work.

Portland was paced by Donnie Tocci, who had three hits, two runs scored and two RBI. Knop also had two hits.

Danny Tocci also scored twice, while Brown, Knop and Stasium had one run apiece.

Barnard and Stasium both drove in two runs, while Sawyer had one RBI.

The Bulldogs stranded five base runners.

Riley fell to 3-3 after giving up five earned runs on seven hits in four innings of work. He walked three, struck out four and threw a wild pitch.

Lewandowski gave up five unearned runs in one-plus inning. He allowed three hits, walked a batter and fanned one.

Danny Tocci gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits in two innings. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out one.

Getting late

Biddeford (now seventh in the Class A South Heal Points standings) goes to rival Thornton Academy Saturday morning, then closes at home against South Portland Tuesday of next week.

“This is a big win that should put us in playoffs,” Rousselle said. “It’s a big confidence boost heading into a couple of big games. We think we can win anywhere and we think we can beat anyone.”

“We finish with Portland, TA and South Portland, three very good teams, so it’s a tough end to the year,” LeBlanc said. “We harped on getting wins early in the year, because wins at the end will be hard to come by. I feel like the league is wide open in general. No one is really running away with it. Anyone can win it.”

Portland (currently ranked eighth in Class A South) travels to Marshwood Thursday, hosts Scarborough Monday, then finishes at home versus Deering Tuesday of next week.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.

Biddeford sophomore starting pitcher Will Harriman throws a strike.

Portland senior leftfielder Jake Loranger lunges in vain for Biddeford senior Carter Edgerton’s double.

Portland senior Billy Barnard throws on the run.

Portland senior Ben Stasium is tagged out by Biddeford senior shortstop Carter Edgerton.

Biddeford celebrates after junior Nick Lyons’ three-run triple in the third inning.

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