For Carter Babcock, Boothbay Region’s first win on the baseball diamond in three seasons was amazing. The Seahawks ended a 40-game-plus losing streak on May 6 with a 13-3 victory over Mount Abram of Salem.

“This is one of the greatest feelings I’ve ever had,” he said. “We haven’t won a game in three years. It’s just an amazing feeling. It’s the greatest.”

The two Mountain Valley Conference opponents entered the game at Sherman Field with 0-5 records. The game may not have had much impact in the Heal point standings, but the game had monumental importance to a couple of struggling teams. So Boothbay Region coach Josh Garneau sent his pitching ace Babcock, a junior, to seek the team’s elusive victory.

Babcock threw only one inning in the week’s two previous contests. He pitched three-plus innings versus Mount Abram. He staked the Seahawks to a 9-2 lead before succumbing to a sore arm. In the fourth, the first three Roadrunners reached base. This resulted in a pitching change.

“Carter was dealing with a sore arm and asked to be taken out,” Garneau said.

He was replaced with sophomore Hunter Arsenault, who retired the first two batters before surrendering a single which scored only one run. He retired the next batter, ending the Roadrunners’ rally. In the fifth, he retired the side in order.

When Boothbay batted in the fifth inning, the team needed four runs to close out the victory under the 10-run “mercy rule.” With Boothbay Region leading 12-3, Arsenault knocked home Gabe Purin from second base with his second double of the game.

Purin and fellow senior captain Xavier Downing have experienced the entire length of the long losing streak. With potential victory at hand, Purin had one thought in mind while stationed at second base.

“Hunter had better not strike out,” he said.

This is Garneau’s second year as coach. Batting has been the team’s biggest area of improvement during his tenure, according to team members.The improvement is due to a more aggressive approach at the plate, said Garneau. The Seahawks scored 13 runs on 12 hits against Mount Abram.

Arsenault led the way with two doubles and a single. Zach Blackman singled three times. Babcock and Cameron Crocker had two singles. And Doug Steimetz and Purin singled once.

Downing was thrilled with the team’s first win in three seasons. He attributed the victory to the team’s improved hitting. Downing called Garneau an “amazing coach.”

“This feels great,” he said. “Our hitting has improved because he (Garneau) is the first coach in a long time who really knows how to teach batting.”

In his two years, Garneau has encouraged his batters to become more aggressive.

“We’re putting the ball in play more. I tell them to swing earlier in the count because the more swings the more chances you have to hit,” Garneau said.

Boothbay Region looks to extend its winning streak next week with three road games. On May 9, the Seahawks travel to North Anson for a game against Carrabec. On May 11, they travel to Bethel to play Telstar. And on May 13, Monmouth Academy hosts the Seahawks.