RUMFORD – Marcus Palmer pitched a masterful complete game to remain unbeaten and Mountain Valley played nearly flawless defense in a hard-fought 4-1 win against Boothbay in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday.

In Game 2, the Falcons’ pitcher Tim Turner settled down to go the distance in a 14-5 win over Georges Valley at sunny Hosmer Field.

The Falcons’ Korey Stairs was the offensive leader going 6-for-8, five runs scored and two RBIs in a rare doubleheader. All make-up games had to be played Thursday. The playoffs begin next Tuesday, but the Falcons play Jay tonight in the Mountain Valley Conference championship game at Saint Joseph’s College.

In the opener, the stakes were high because both teams needed the respective Heal Points to solidify playoff positions. The results provided a major boost for Mountain Valley (11-3), which is ranked fourth in Class B. Boothbay (6-8) is No. 11 in Class C.

“We didn’t well against Boothbay,” Mountain Valley coach Steve LaPointe said. “But pitching and defense carried us through, again. Ryan Palmer had thrown 40 innings this season and only walked seven batters. As a fielder, it’s great playing behind someone like him because he keeps you on your toes. There’s no time to relax.” Palmer, a sophomore, (7-0) scattered six hits and only left two runners on base in the second inning. He threw 72 pitches, had five strikeouts and lowered his ERA to a microscopic .50. The lone Seahawks run was unearned, following an RBI single by Matt Higgins in the fourth.

“I felt good from the get-go,” Palmer said. “This warm weather is great. Coach told me to go out and establish my fastball and then try to mix things up with my curve ball. That (strategy) worked out really well.”

Mountain Valley got things going in the second as Stairs and Turner singled and Aaron McPhee walked to load the bases. Two runs scored on wild pitches by Ryan Babcock (4-4).

The game remained 2-1 as both pitchers settled into grooves and kept the opposing hitters at bay. Mountain Valley suffered a blow when designated hitter Ben Madigan suffered torn ligaments while trying to slide in to first base.

The Falcons iced the game by scoring two insurance runs in the sixth. Josh Umbro drew a lead-off walk and Stairs and Turner each singled to load the bases. Travis Child, first team all-MVC, singled in both runs.

“A key was (Marcus Palmer),”Boothbay coach Al Hersom said. “He had good control and their defense didn’t make mistakes. For adjustments, we tried swinging away to try and getters runners on base. They scored two big runs in their sixth, but Ryan Babcock had kept us in the game.”

In the nightcap, the Falcons led by 4-0 and 7-3 after two and one half innings. Stairs hit an RBI single and McPhee smashed an RBI double.

Georges Valley, which had been shutout by Telstar earlier during the afternoon in Bethel, made things interesting when Randy MaLoney hit a two-run single.

Fortunately, Turner threw four scoreless innings.