After technical loss, Windham wins big to advance By David Field

AUGUSTA-After the very controversial technical loss in the Zone III Tournament game, Windham came back very strong to advance to the Legion State Baseball Tournament 12-4 over Madison. 

In the first, Windham pitcher Shawn Francoeur started off by quickly striking out the first two batters.  However, trouble loomed as the next two batters hit singles.  However, Windham’s Tanner Laberge fielded a ground ball to put the runner out to end the inning.  In the bottom frame, Calvin Field led off with a home run to put Windham on the board.  In the bottom of the second, Tanner Laberge led off with a double and Ethan Petty drove him in with a single. 

Windham’s defense continued to hold Madison off.  Windham lit up the board in the third when Calvin Field led off with a walk and stole second.  Spencer Hodge hit a single to put runners at the corners.  Joey Francoeur drove a shot to right center to record a home run of his own and to give Windham the 5-0 lead.  Shawn Francoeur would also add a run in the inning after being driven in by Tanner Laberge. 

Madison answered back in the top of the fourth.  Shawn Francoeur gave up three hits in the fourth and Madison managed to scrape a run in to take advantage of the tiring Windham hurler.  Windham was held scoreless in the bottom frame.  In the fifth, Madison again put the ball in play and scraped another run by Windham.  In the bottom of the fifth, the middle to bottom of Windham’s lineup generated a bunch of runs. 

The inning started off a little rough however.  Spencer Hodge drew a walk. Joey Francoeur then hit into a double play.  Dennis Meehan reached on a walk, Shawn Francoeur, Tanner Laberge, Ethan Petty, Nate Boyle and Jack Herzig each singled.  The hitting spree drove in four runs and drove the second Madison pitcher from the mound. 

Jumping to the sixth, Joey Francoeur took the hill in relief of his brother Shawn. Windham committed a handful of errors which resulted in two runs being scored by Madison. Windham continued its offensive onslaught in later innings and generated a couple of runs to seal the victory. 

Windham Coach Brody Artes was proud of how his team performed.  “We had one of best hitting performances of the year as a team with 17 total hits and 6 extra base hits including a solo home run by Calvin Field and a three run shot by Joey Francoeur.  Madison was a very good team out of Zone II and it was great to come out the victor in that game.  I really admire the way the kids bounced back after a tough situation to end our zone tournament.  They came out focused and ready to compete.”

Looking forward to facing Westbrook in the opening game of the Legion State Tournament, Artes was optimistic.  “We have a tough first round match up with 2013 Class A State Champions Westbrook.  They are a solid club that is balanced with top pitchers Keenan Lowe and Zach Bean, and a lineup that is getting better every day at the plate.  Looking for the kids to focus in on the task at hand and bringing a high level of intensity against one of our biggest rivals in Westbrook.”

There are only two things left to say. Let’s go Windham! Play ball!