The Cougars strikes out 15 batters and earns a 7-0 shutout against Mt. Abram.
By Bob McPhee
Staff Writer

DIXFIELD – Senior pitcher Shane Donovan certainly has his act together, and the Dirigo High School baseball team benefitted from his performance as he showcased his talents in a Mountain Valley Conference game Wednesday.

Donovan was in complete control as he struck out 15 batters and allowed two hits as the Courgars remained unbeaten with a 7-0 shutout against Mt. Abram at overcast Harlow Park. It was the second-straight shutout for Dirigo.

Dirigo (2-0) received a complete game, two-hitter by Cory Wing in a 3-0 win at Livermore Falls Monday.

“I can’t recall if we ever have started this well,” Cougar coach Al MacGregor said. “Shane really pitched a strong game. He hadn’t done that well last year because he missed a lot and there were discipline problems. He has his act together this spring and is focused on baseball. In fact, I had told him before the game that he’s showing great senior leadership.”

Donovon set the tone early by striking out seven of the first eight Roadrunner batters, including five looking at the third strike. He threw approximately 88 pitches, didn’t issue a walk and only had full counts on two batters. The big right hander retired the side on strikes in the second, third and fifth innings.

“Our kids simply couldn’t catch up with him at the plate,” Mt. Abram coach Swell Pingree said. “Donovan kept us off balance, but one bad inning in the field really hurt us.”

Mt. Abram (0-1) had its lone two base runners in the second inning and had one baseball reach the outfield the entire game. No. 9 batter Kenny Foster reached safely when Wing and third baseman Ethan Ray collided while trying to corral a ground ball. The Roadrunners’ Billy Perkins singled cleanly to left field, but Donovan struck out Curtis Tyler on some high heat to end the inning.

“I relied on my two and four-seam fast ball,” Donovon said. “I basically just wanted to throw strikes and when my catcher (Brandon Berry) froze, I hit the target. The 15 strikeouts are the most that I’ve ever had in high school.”

Dirigo had taken advantage of the wildness of Mt. Abram starter Frank Hays to score five runs in the bottom of the second. Ed Gracey and Kyle Dolloff each walked and scored on wild pitches. Jon Pineau and Ray each scored on an infield error. Wing scored from second base on a single by Berry.

The Cougars’ planned to be aggressive on the base paths and were successful at stealing seven bases. Wing was a catalyst with three runs scored, including racing home twice from second base. Gary Holman (bunt single) and Craig Langevin each added RBIs.

Mt. Abram used three pitchers and received the biggest effectiveness from sophomore Robbie Thorndike. The Roadrunners defense also turned two double plays.

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