BERWICK — The Ararat 9U Cal Ripken All-Stars reached the championship game of the state tournament recently, falling to Noble in the final.
Ararat dropped its first game before it reeled off four consecutive victories to emerge out of the loser’s bracket.
Ararat clinched a berth in the state final with a 10-7 victory over Andy Valley. Bryson Rioux pitched 5 2/3 strong innings to record the win. He helped his own cause with a double and a triple. Luke Pinkham drew a key RBI walk late in the game to secure the victory.
The Ararat 9U All-Stars finished runner-up in the state tournament in Berwick recently. Back row, from left: Blake Pelletier, Luke Pinkham, Coach Craig Harvey, Coach Justin Keleher, Coach Todd Hinds, Coach Jack Rioux, Bryson Rioux, and Hunter Dubious. Front row, from left: Landon Harvey, Jackson Ramsay, Thomas Paquette, Jax Hinds, Evan Keleher, Elijah Stemp, and Miles Robinson-Handley. The All-Stars came out of the loser’s bracket with victories over Messalonskee (16-15), Waterville (27-8), Bath (15-14) and Andy Valley (10-7) to reach the final, which they lost to Noble. In the loser’s bracket final against Andy Valley, Rioux pitched 5 2/3 strong innings and also doubled and tripled. Luke Pinkham drew a key RBI walk late to secure the win, while Ramsay, Keleher, Hinds and Pelletier had key hits as well. Photo provided by Justin Keleher
Jackson Ramsay, Evan Keleher, Jax Hinds and Blake Pelletier also had big hits.
Earlier in the tournament, Ararat edged Messalonskee 16-15 thanks to three strong innings on the mound from reliever Keleher. Keleher also doubled and singled. Pelletier led the way with three singles.
Jackson Ramsay, Jax Hinds and Landon Harvey each had three hits in a 27-8 win over Waterville. Harvey also pitched a gem in the victory, striking out five in four innings. Keleher turned two double plays in a 15-14 win over Bath while Rioux and Thomas Paquette each had three hits.
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