The Houlton Shiretowners will head out to challenge the Orono Riots at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.
On Thursday, Houlton came up short against Presque Isle and fell 8-4. The Shiretowners have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Thadon Gentle was huge no matter where he played even without the win. He tossed 2.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-low in walks (zero). He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBI, one run, and one double. Those RBI were his first of the season.
Gentle wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Aedan Valles, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one run. James Diehl also deserves some recognition as he scored his first run of the season.
Meanwhile, Orono got themselves on the board against Central on Friday, but Central never followed suit. They were the clear victors by a 10-0 margin over the Red Devils. Considering the Riots have won three games by more than eight runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Logan Williams was incredible, going 3-for-4 with three stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI. Williams is crushing it when it comes to stolen bases: he's snagged at least one every time he's taken the field this season. The team also got some help courtesy of Jack Brewer, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Orono was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .407. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .321 or higher in four consecutive contests.
Orono now has a winning record of 3-2. As for Houlton, their loss dropped their record down to 1-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Saturday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Houlton has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Orono struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Houlton might still be hurting after the 14-0 defeat they got from Orono in their previous meeting back in May of 2024. Can the Shiretowners avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
