By Sun Journal staff

POLAND – Alex Smith led Gilman Electrical with a 3-for-3 outing in Game 1, while Andy Valley split the doubleheader, 1-11 and 9-5, on error-assisted run scoring opportunities in the third inning of Game 2 in American Legion baseball action Saturday.

In Game 1, Gilman Electrical (2-1) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first and added single runs in each of the next three innings, before putting the finishing touches on a 10-run rule shortened game with four runs in the fifth. Smith launched a solo home run in the fourth. Justin Dodge plated the only Andy Valley (1-2) run with a single in the top of the fourth inning.

Fortunes were reversed in Game 2 as Andy Valley took advantage of several Gilman miscues in the third inning to collect five runs and take a 6-0 lead. Steve Ray had two hits and two RBIs, including a double, while Jake Sproul added two hits and two RBIs.

Andy Valley built a little steam in the fifth inning on three runs, and cut the deficit half at 8-4 on another tally in the sixth. But each team traded a run in the final frame to call it even on the day. Evan Barker recorded two hits for Andy Valley in the winning effort.

Smith-Tobey sweeps Bessey

SOUTH PARIS – Steve Ray fanned six batters, while going 3-for-5 from the plate and scoring three runs in Game 1, before singling in two runs in the first inning of Game 2 as Smith-Tobey of Bath swept Bessey Motors, 9-2 and 10-4, in doubleheader baseball action Saturday.

In Game 1, Greg Henrikson went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs for Smith-Tobey (3-0). His double pushed two runs across in the three-run first inning, with Smith-Tobey taking a commanding 6-0 lead after two innings. Ryan Yates led Bessey Motors (0-3) offensively with a triple and a single, and scoring one run in a two-run fifth inning.

Nick Cloutier knocked in Marshall Chick for the fifth run and eventual game-winner in the top of the fourth inning of Game 2. Despite giving up four runs in the home half of the fourth, Jordan Bichrest struck out eight for Smith-Tobey and was credited with the win due to fine relief pitching.

Ben Ryerson, who started the game on the mound for Bessey Motors, went 2-for-3 with a walk from the plate. Ryerson had a triple in the third inning and an RBI double in the four-run fourth. His pitching relief allowed five unanswered runs to marshall in Smith-Tobey’s win.