Do or Die for Acadians Tuesday Night

It's do or die for the Acadian Junior League Baseball Team Tuesday night, July 26th as they play Bucksport in the Championship Game for the District 1 Title. The Acadians forced tonight's game after defeating Bucksport, Monday, in a rain shortened 5 inning game, 8-1 at MDI High School.

In Monday's game. Acadian pitcher Sam Mitchell worked efficiently with catcher AJ Lozano - holding the talented Bucksport squad to just  3 hits while throwing only 56 pitches.

In the third inning with 1 out and runners on first and third, a Bucksport batter hit a sinking line drive to left-center - but Acadian left fielder Jack Dacorte made a spectacular diving catch and then relayed to first for the inning-ending double play.

The Acadians started the bottom of the third with leadoff hits by Grady Wellman-Webster and Brady Renault. The next hitter, Jack Hodgdon, hit a hard line drive up the middle that looked to plate a run - but the Bucksport shortstop made a great stop and converted a double play.

There was no score through three soggy innings. In the bottom of the fourth, timely hitting from Andrew Clark, Ethan Merchant and Mitchell helped  the Acadians break it open with 7 runs. Scoring runs in the inning were Mitchell, Porter Isaacs, Tucker James, Alex Fernald, Clark, Wellman-Webster and Logan Beckwith.

The winner of tonight's game will play in the state tournament in Bangor starting Saturday,  July 29th at Mansfield Stadium.

In the previous tournament game on Friday July 21st, the Acadians hosted Calais in a must-win game. In the sixth inning of that game, Acadian outfielder Luke Horner had a walk-off base hit to advance the Acadians to the July 24th game.

Acadian team members include: Logan Beckwith Andrew Clark, Jack DaCorte, Alex Fernald ,Stevie Gilbert ,Jack Hodgdon, Luke Horner ,Porter Isaacs, Tucker James, AJ Lozano, Ethan Merchant, Sam Mitchell, Brady Renault ,Grady Wellman-Webster. The  Acadians are managed by Josh Mitchell with  coaches Randy Merchant and Jason Beckwith.

Thanks to Jay Beck for the information.