DIXFIELD – Senior Gary Holman scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly by Josh Daley in the bottom of the sixth inning as Dirigo pulled away for a 9-7 victory against Lisbon at Harlow Park.
Dirigo (3-3) relied on the arm of Brian Knowles, who threw a three-hitter and allowed two earned runs in the final six innings. The right-hander was tabbed for four unearned runs in the first inning, but then retired 12 of the next 13 batters.
“Brian Knowles stuck to the game plan,” Dirigo catcher Spenser Berry said. “He stayed strong and never got down on himself. In the late innings, we were thinking just stay composed and be patient because Lisbon pitchers were not throwing strikes.”
Lisbon (1-6) tied the score 7-7 when Mason Lavers singled, stole second and scored on an Levi Ervin’s RBI double. But Dirigo took advantage of the Greyhounds’ wildness to reclaim the lead. Three Lisbon pitchers combined for 13 walks, including six in the final two innings.
Holman and Kris Merrill each drew walks to lead off the sixth. Berry then dropped a bunt. Lisbon tried to catch Holman at third, but the infielder’s foot was off the base. After Holman scampered home on Daley’s sacrifice fly to center, pinch hitter Robert Weymouth followed with an opposite-field single that scored two runs.
“We simply allowed too many walks,” Lisbon coach Randy Ridley said. “The fast start was good but the kids need to realize that it is a marathon and not a sprint. We relaxed and Dirigo didn’t.”
Dirigo scored three runs in the fifth after Lisbon starter Chris Kates walked two and Berry hustled out an infield hit.
The Greyhounds cut down Merrill at home, but reliever Max Hathaway walked Cougars freshmen John Smith and Chris Richards to force in runs.
Dirigo created its own action by stealing 11 bases, including four by Merrill and two each by Berry and John Smith.
“I’ve got a fast team,” Dirigo coach Joe Knowlton said. “We’ll take a extra base when we can and I’m not conservative. So, if something doesn’t work once, we’ll try it again.
“With Brian Knowles, if I can get him through the first and then (remain focused), he’ll finish the game. He never has (developed) a curve ball, so he (throws) mostly fast balls.”
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