JAY – Prior to the game, Livermore Falls baseball coach Brian Dube assembled the team to remind them about a grand opportunity to earn some valuable Heal Points.

The Andies heeded Dube’s advice as southpaw Dane Hanson pitched a four-hitter and Livermore Falls capitalized on every opportunity in a 5-2 win against arch-rival Jay. It also avenged a loss to the Tigers last month.

Livermore Falls (7-5) took the lead early behind some aggressive base running, and then Hanson was able to keep the Jay batters off balance through out the game. The actual game-winning run was scored by Chuck Drake (two runs) who came home on a ground out by Tyler Cote in the third inning.

“It’s important to get ahead early in a game like this,” Hanson said. “No doubt, we were the underdog coming in to this. The (defense) made the plays behind me and I was able to get it by them with my curve.”

Hanson (3-1) relied on pinpoint location in striking out six and allowed one fly ball in the game.

Jay (9-3) was simply unable to figure out Hanson except for stringing three hits and two runs in the third. The Tigers’ Jake Turner (two hits) singled with two outs and scored on a tailing double by Joel Ouellette. Ryan DiPompo hit an RBI single, but was later erased at third base.

“(Team) wasn’t on top of their game,” Jay coach Chris Bessey said. “That was due in large part to Hanson’s swooping curve, but that’s the way baseball goes some times. I was more upset about the three unearned runs that we allowed. That’s some thing you can’t afford to do in a game like this.”

Livermore Falls scored two runs in the first inning against Jay starter Zack Charles. Brad Bryant walked and Drake singled, each player stole a base and eventually scored on the same play. Cote hit a ball to third base, but the ball glanced off the fielder’s glove.

“We wanted to be aggressive both at the plate and on the base paths,” Dube said. “We knew (Zach Charles) has a good breaking ball, so we wanted to hit the fast ball and not let the count get in his favor.” The Andies scored two insurance runs in the fifth as Bryant (two runs) singled and advanced on a potential double play that resulted in a two-base error. Mike Chamard and Hanson each singled runs in.

Hanson had retired nine of 10 batters, until the Tigers Ryan Bourassa drew a walk, with two outs in the seventh. The Andies received some outstanding defensive plays by Chamard and Drake in the latter innings.

“You expect a close game between Jay and Livermore Falls,” Dube said. “We’re getting some good productive from the top of the batting order and the bottom of the order is coming along. This was a big win and I believe Class C is wide open.”

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