In a surprising seventh-inning upset, the Boothbay baseball team eked out a 4-3 win against Maranacook, ranked number one in Class C South. The Seahawks are now 3-4 and seeded third in Class D South. 

The teams held each other at bay until the third inning, when the Black Bears scored three runs on errors, according to Boothbay coach Ed Crocker. The Seahawks responded in the sixth, tying the game with three runs including a strong call from Maddox Cusumano.  

“I said, ‘You read the passed ball,"’ coach Jessie Peters said. “He looked like a grizzly bear running (to home plate).” 

By the bottom of the seventh inning, the score was still 3-3. At bat, Casey Phelps knocked the ball down the right field line, giving Liam Jacobs the opportunity to score the winning run.  

Overall, Phelps had two hits and an RBI. Jacobs, Cusumano, Markowitz and Matthew Reed each scored once. Shawn Gamage also had an RBI. 

Aidric Canada, Phelps and Jacobs pitched for Boothbay, striking out five and allowing seven walks. Maranacook struck out 11 and allowed four earned runs and eight walks. 

“I think the pitching held us close, but I think that (there was) some timely hitting also,” said Crocker. "Casey ripping that right down first base line right where you want him to hit it with a guy on second. So great. It was perfect.” 

After several rough opening games for the Seahawks, with a few mercy-rule losses, the team has been working on defense to correct missed catches and other errors. Peters said they came into the season with high expectations, but starting off with losses to Winthrop and Monmouth was an eye opener. He said they are more composed now.  

"Pretty much since then, the morale at practice has been 'We're at work' instead of 'we're going to come and practice and throw around,'” he said. 

Now, Crocker said beating the high-ranked team will lift morale through some tough upcoming games. Boothbay plays number two Lisbon May 14, and he said a win could turn the team's season around. “As of right now, if we keep playing the way we are, we're pretty much locked in at three or four,” he said.