Rick Kraske of Buckfield comes home to score Thursday as Rangeley catcher Callahan Crosby waits for the throw home during the Class D South quarterfinal in Buckfield. (Lee Horton/Sun Journal)
BUCKFIELD — Perfect timing for the Buckfield baseball team.
The Bucks finally had the entire roster playing Thursday, and they played well in their 13-3 win over Rangeley in five innings in the Class D South quarterfinals.
“It feels good, because it’s about time we’re firing on all cylinders, for once,” Buckfield coach Ben Keene said. “I’m happy with how we played today.”
The fourth-seeded Bucks advance to face top-seeded Searsport in the regional semifinals at 4 p.m. Friday.
The full Buckfield team took control early Thursday, scoring six first-inning runs as the entire lineup came to the plate.
“It’s always great to have innings like that,” Keene said. “It builds confidence in the team.”
The Bucks added two runs in the second, one in the third and two apiece in the fourth and fifth innings.
St. Pierre was a catalyst every time he came to bat. He went 4-for-4, scored three runs and drove in two more.
“Standing right over the plate, definitely having a good day,” St. Pierre said.
Keegan Jack singled and doubled and drove in four runs for Buckfield.
Fifth-seeded Rangeley, meanwhile, was shorthanded, which put players in new positions, which led to seven detrimental errors.
“They’re one of those teams that you can’t give them that stuff, because, like a Richmond or a Searsport, they don’t give it back to you,” Rangeley coach Jeff LaRochelle said.
The Lakers had their chances against Buckfield pitcher Tyler Sullivan.
Rangeley stranded two runners in scoring position in the first and third innings before finally breaking through with two runs on a Leo Perez double in the fourth and one in the fifth on a single by Ian Lillis.
Sullivan and Rangeley’s Bo Beaulieu each went the distance on the mound.
“This game means a lot to us,” St. Pierre said. “Just coming out with a ‘W’ really just makes the day.”
Rangeley finishes the season with a 9-6 record and loses only two seniors, Beaulieu and Kyle LaRochelle, who had a hit and scored a run.
“You know what? We got in as a five-seed,” Jeff LaRochelle said. “I thought we could be a four or a three was my goal, so we weren’t that far off of it.”
Buckfield’s Shane St. Pierre arrives safely at first base well ahead of the throw that Rangeley’s Luke Beaulieu awaits during the Class D South quarterfinal in Buckfield on Thursday. (Lee Horton/Sun Journal)Buckfield’s Tyler Sullivan pitches against Rangeley during the Class D South quarterfinal in Buckfield on Thursday. (Lee Horton/Sun Journal)Buckfield shortstop Ethan Jackson throws after fielding a grounder against Buckfield during the Class D South quarterfinal in Buckfield on Thursday. (Lee Horton/Sun Journal)Rangeley’s Bo Beaulieu pitches against Buckfield during the Class D South quarterfinal in Buckfield on Thursday. (Lee Horton/Sun Journal)Rangeley fields a ground ball at shortstop during the Class D South quarterfinal in Buckfield on Thursday. (Lee Horton/Sun Journal)
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