BETHEL – When Mike Fleet pitches, the Telstar Regional High School baseball team feels confident on the diamond
Fleet was masterful, going the distance and hurling a four-hitter, as the Rebels’ timely offense made the difference in a 6-0 win over Monmouth on Wednesday.
It was the Rebels’ Mountain Valley Conference season opener, and they turned in a fine performance on defense, too.
Telstar received support from several batters, including RBI hits by Lou Thornton and Kyle Maines. The latter was an opposite field two-RBI single in the third inning that gave the Rebels a 4-0 lead.
“It was a strong outing,” Telstar coach Bob Remington said. “But that’s Mike Fleet because he throws strikes and works quickly. That keeps every one behind him in the game, and he’s also a great athlete.”
Fleet was effective from the start and threw 23 pitches after the first three innings. The right hander only allowed one hit in the last four innings and finished strong by retiring the final seven batters, three by strikeouts.
“All my pitches were working for me today,” Fleet said. “I felt good, and it helped by getting ahead in the count. But I owe it all to the defense because they made the plays.”
Telstar drew first blood in the second inning on an RBI-single by Bryce Walker. Mustang starter Nate Armstrong fell victim to a couple defensive miscues. The Rebels proceeded to break the game open in the third with aggressive base running. Fleet reached safely on a hard hit ball and came around to score on a hit-and-run play with Ryan Kimball. Gave Broomhall singled, and the Mustangs threw Kimball out at second base. Walker’s hit came on two outs.
Monmouth, which had lost to Wiscasset, didn’t have many opportunities on the bases. Mack Tozier doubled, leading off the fifth, and reached third base on an attempted pickoff play. Tozier overran the base and was erased in a rundown.
“Despite the cold, I didn’t have trouble gripping the ball,” Fleet said “I didn’t have to sit to long between innings, and I sweat enough when I pitch. When they got runners on base, it really helped me to bear down.”
The Rebels also made a double play on a fly out, and shortstop Andy Whitney made an over-the-shoulder catch to save a run.
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