LEWISTON – Despite 22 strikeouts from its pitching staff over the nine-inning route, the Lewiston Lumberjaxx 12U fall baseball team dropped an 8-2 verdict to Oxford Hills in its final game of the season.

Lewiston closed out its season at home, hoping to avenge its only loss of the season, a 12-4 decision in South Paris. The weather was cooperative for the scheduled nine-inning bout as Brady Cusson took the mound for the  ‘Jaxx.

Cusson kept Oxford Hills off the scoreboard through his first two innings, striking out five of the nine batters in those frames.

The Lumberjaxx struck first in the bottom of the second on an RBI double by catcher Damien St. Pierre. But Oxford roared back with three runs of its own on knocks by West and Verrier.

‘Jaxx bats were quiet in their halves of the third and fourth innings. Oxford extended its lead when Hill greeted reliever Luc Dostie with a solo blast to right center field, making the score 4-1.

Dostie settled in and only allowed one run (unearned) while punching out seven through the sixth. Hill again got the RBI for Oxford.

Kaleb Morrisette kicked the Lewiston running game into gear in the bottom of the fifth when he led off with a single, stole third, and scored when an Oxford error at first extended the inning.

With the score after six innings at 5-2, Gage Cote took the mound for the ‘Jaxx. Despite giving up three earned runs and walking five, he accounted for every out with a total of nine whiffs in three innings.

Cote was the only repeat hitter for Lewiston. Isaac Escobar also had a hit. West, Beauschene and Hill each had two hits in the contest.

The Lewiston Lumberjaxx finished their inaugural season 5-2.

As an organization, they are exploring the possibility of bringing AAU baseball to the area next spring. Tryouts will be open to residents of Lewiston/Auburn and the surrounding area for players ages 11 & 12. For more details, please contact Rodd St.Pierre at [email protected] or visit www.lewistonlumberjaxx.com.