AUBURN – Austin Associates held on to defeat Auburn Firefighters, 7-6, in the Auburn Suburban Little League major division baseball semifinals.

Four runs in the bottom of the first inning got Austin off to a quick start. Key hits by Brandon Varney and Dylan Marston produced the runs.

Austin pushed the lead to 5-0 in the second before Auburn Firefighters launched a comeback with one run in the fourth and four in the fifth. Noah Yarnevich and Austin Cox both singled and scored a run in the bug inning, along with key hits by Noah Moreshead and Noah Perron.

In the bottom of the fifth, Austin answered with two runs to retake the lead. Justin Keaney’s leadoff double, a single by Varney and a wall double by Marston plated the runs.

Austin got the first out in the top of the sixth before singles by Kody Berube and Shammond Thomas started Fire’s rally. Berube eventually scored on a passed ball to make it 7-6. After a walk and a fielder’s choice to get the second out, AFF had the potential game tying run at 3rd base.

Marston induced a ground ball to Jason Taylor, who fired to first base to end the game.

Perron, Yarnevich and Cox shared the pitching duties for AFF, allowing seven hits and striking out seven. Varney, Keaney and Marston combined for Austin, surrendering six hits and striking out 10. Keaney got the win for Austin over Yarnevich.

Austin played top-seeded Pepsi on Wednesday night for the major division pennant.

Apple Valley Babe Ruth

WINTHROP – Winthrop extended its winning streak in Apple Valley Babe Ruth baseball with a 9-8 verdict over Greene.

Jared Hanson was the winning pitcher for Winthrop (7-4).  Zach Glazier cranked a triple and single to lead the offense. Nate Bowers doubled and singled, and Chris Bowers chipped in a single.

Tyler Hutchinson hammered two triples and a double for Greene. Christian Fullerton tripled and slapped two singles. Sam Godfrey smacked a double and a single.

In other Apple Valley action, Maranacook turned back Turner One, 6-2.

Zach Elwell picked up the pitching decision over Levi Morin. Tucker Whitman cracked two doubles for Maranacook. Eben Ballard added a double and a single. Dubois belted a double and two singles to lead Turner.

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