By Bob McPhee,Staff Writer

FARMINGTON – John Maloney had two hits and scored twice to lead Mt. Blue to a 9-1 win over Lewiston at Hippach Field on Friday.

Nick Tibbetts (4-1) pitched six strong innings, and more importantly was able to cool off the Blue Devils, who had been on a roll. The tall right-hander scattered six hits, and got out of two-bases loaded jams.

Mt. Blue (9-4) batted around and scored four runs in the second inning off Lewiston starter Luke Potter (4-2). The key blast was a towering drive to center field by Luke Lambert (two runs scored) that scored Tibbetts and Adam Wallace. The Cougars beat out three infield hits, including RBI singles by Maloney and Hal Robbins (three hits, two RBI).

“We haven’t been hitting that well,” Mt. Blue coach Gary Parlin said. “Today we were able to get on the bases and make things happen. I thought that we executed well with a couple of hit and runs and some straight steals.”

Lewiston (6-7) entered the game on a high after having upset Oxford Hill on Wednesday; however, the lack of any key hits did in the Devils.

“That was certainly a big win for us,” Lewiston coach Don King said, prior to the game. “The kids enjoyed it Wednesday night, but when we practiced Thursday, I told the kids to forget it. But, we’re in a different situation this year because we’ve won some close games and that breeds confidence.”

Lewiston found itself in a perfect position in the top of the third to get back in the game. Following a ground out by Erik Waite, Andrew Joy, John Paradis and Nate Gruz (three-for-three) each singled. Tibbetts bore down to strike out Nick Langlais and then benefited from the defensive play off the game.

Brian Nason hit a sharp ground ball in the hole, but short top Steve Wells ranged over, caught the ball while on his knees, and threw to third baseman Justin Lowe for the force out.

Gruz had an RBI single in the fifth and the Blue Devils reloaded the bases with one out in the sixth. But Tibbetts got both Zack Timmermeyer and Waite to fly out.

Mt. Blue scored five runs in the fourth and fifth off reliever Andy Boulanger. Wells and Lambert each had sacrifice flys and Robbins added an RBI-double. Bobby Duley also doubled and scored.

“Our defense is strong,” Parlin said. “We think Steve Wells is the best short stop in the conference.”