DIXFIELD – Down to its final out after surrendering a three-run advantage, Livermore Falls coolly came through in the clutch to force extra innings in its Mountain Valley Conference season opener.

Then with two outs in the ninth, James McLamb doubled home Chandler White with the go-ahead run, enabling Livermore Falls to rally for a dramatic 9-7 triumph against Dirigo at chilly Harlow Park.

Each team had to make huge comebacks in regulation and there were plenty of strong efforts on both sides. Winning pitcher Willie Brown threw five innings in relief and survived potential disaster on several occasions.

“This was quite a game to start off the season,” Livermore Falls coach Brian Dube said. “We got some timely hits when we needed them and the right people came up at the right time. Willie came in and settled down after pitching out of (two) bases-loaded jams.”

The game counted toward Heal Points, but not in the Mountain Valley Conference standings, which count 14 games. This game had been added on.

Trailing early by three runs, Dirigo fought back and scored three runs in the sixth inning to take a 7-5 lead. Arik Fenstermacher walked, raced to third on a Keith Langevin sacrifice bunt, and scored on a wind-blown single by Tyler Chaisson (three hits). Chaisson and Aaron Fenstermacher (three hits, two RBIs) each scored on hits by Ryan Lafleur and James Moulton.

“We certainly had our chances,” Dirigo coach Dave Lafleur said. “But, I’m very proud of their performances. Three of my starting infield was missing, but the team battled, and I can go down the batting order, beginning with Tyler Chaisson and point out several key performances.”

Livermore Falls, the defending Western Class C regional champion, then scored two runs with two outs in the seventh to tie the game. White singled (three hits) and scored on a double by McLamb (three hits, two RBIs). Brown followed with a single off starter Ryan Lafleur (seven innings, five strikeouts).

Dirigo loaded the bases with two outs, but Brown threw a curve ball to pinch hitter Cliff Turner who failed to execute a squeeze.

Brown also had four strikeouts in the seventh inning.

“You really have to credit Dirigo because they kept chipping away,” Dube said. “Lafleur found his location, and their catcher (Aaron Fenstermacher) took our run game away by throwing out (three) runners.”

Dirigo scored in four of the first five innings against Andies starter Derek Castonguay. Aaron Fenstermacher had two-RBI singles, while Josh Palmer and Moulton each added RBI singles.

Livermore Falls took a 4-1 lead behind three runs in the second. Andre Uter raced home on an overthrow, Shane Whiting singled home a run and Bryan Maurois added a sacrifice fly.

“We dug ourselves a hole,” coach Lafleur said. “But, there was some unearned runs. Our kids battled back and we can correct any problems that we had in practice.”