LEWISTON – Isaac Escobar pitched three hitless innings, striking out five, and his United Ambulance team held on for a thrilling 3-2 victory over Melanson Paving in the championship game of the Elliot Ave. Little League Minor Division.

United jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Christian Fowler, Eddie Turgeon and Escobar loaded the bases with consecutive hits. Fowler scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Ryan Kappelmann.

Matt Gaudett made a run-saving catch to stop a potential Melanson rally in the bottom of the first.

Brock Belanger and Dalton Wing combined for Melanson to shut out United the second and third frames, but the eventual champions plated another pair in the fourth. Kappelmann doubled and scored on a triple by Benjamin Chasse. Sean Lake knocked home Chasse on a fielder’s choice.

Melanson answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Dean Clavet, Jalen Allison and Belanger loaded the bases. After one run was cut down at the plate, Wing singled sharply to score Alison. Hayden Dumont cut the lead to one with a base knock to left field, but Caleb Beaupre’s perfect throw to catcher Kappelmann silenced the potential tying run trying to score from second.

Wing finished with eight strikeouts in his three innings of work on the hill for Melanson.

United’s Eddie Turgeon chucked the final two innings to earn the save.