BAR HARBOR — The Mount Desert Island High School baseball team tore out to a 5-0 lead by the third inning in their game against the Central High School Red Devils on Monday. A slight mid-game slump did nothing to thwart the Trojans, as they hoped to end the game by mercy rule in the fifth, but the Central Red Devils held on until the seventh before MDI walked away with the 11-3 win.
The taste of the “almost win” tie with Old Town on May 14 was still lingering in the mouths of the Trojans and they had hoped to wash it down with a blowout.
“I think it started Thursday. It lit a fire underneath them,” Trojans head coach Mike Swanson said. “We have had a couple of good practices.”
Good solid defense was the difference in the win against Central, according to Coach Swanson.
“Today we made the plays. We only had one error. Groundball opportunities, we made them, plays at the plate,” Coach Swanson said. “It was a nice relay that Jasper (Cousins) threw to Dennis (O’Neil) to Devon (Young), great execution. It killed their momentum.”
The Trojan offense came to play as well. “We ran the bases extremely well. Whether it was stealing bases or taking the extra base when they weren’t paying attention,” said Coach Swanson. “We are aggressive. But you have to be on base to be aggressive. We had great contributions up and down the lineup.”
Part of the turnaround performance is due to the guy on the mound, pitcher Sammy Stewart. “Sammy had a great day … ,” Coach Swanson said. “He is a great leader.”
“You have got to give the kids credit because they are still battling,” said assistant Trojan coach Greg Linscott.
The future holds some point-worthy opponents, like Bucksport and Presque Isle. MDI could use the wins to ensure a place in the postseason.
“Hopefully this will get us going, give us some confidence, and we can turn in some more wins,” Coach Swanson. “We still have a lot do opportunities. We just have to keep our heads up, keep improving, and take advantage of the opportunities we get.”