Sports

RiverDogs open up season with 17-7 win over Claremont

NEWPORT- The rain subsided just in time for the first pitch of the season for Newport and Claremont in the 16U Fall Mountain Babe Ruth League Monday evening. After a high-scoring first inning, Claremont gained a 5-4 lead, but Newport was able to settle in on defense and take advantage of free bases to run away with a 17-7 win.

 In the top of the first inning, Claremont’s Ty Theriault hit an RBI single through the left side of the infield to give the visiting team a 1-0 lead. Claremont was then able to score two runs on bases-loaded walks and two more on passed-balls to go up 5-0.

In the bottom-half of the first, Jarred Meyette got things started for Newport’s offense with a bunt-single. A Bryce Willey walk loaded the bases, and then two runs scored on bases-loaded walks. Two more runs crossed the plate after an overthrow on a pick-off attempt at third to bring Newport within a run, 5-4.

Newport’s Logan Briand came onto the mound to start the top of the second. Gabe Miller had a leadoff single up the middle for Claremont, but was later thrown out stealing second by Newport catcher Meyette. Mike Gaspar had an RBI-groundout in the inning to put Claremont up 6-4.

In the bottom of the second, after JT Blaine walked to score a run, Claremont put Matt Becker on the mound. Willey then scored Josh Sharron on a groundball, followed up by two runs scored on a fielding error after a hard-hit groundball from Devin Heino. Newport led 8-6 after two.

After a scoreless top of the third, Newport began to pile on in the bottom-half. Sharron picked up an RBI on a bunt, Anson Ritondo scored on a passed-ball, Blaine had an RBI infield-single, and Willey picked up two RBIs to give the RiverDogs a 13-6 lead after three.

Gaspar came in to pitch for Claremont in the fourth. After allowing three consecutive walks with no outs, Gaspar was able to get out of the jam by throwing strikes and having the defense pick him up. A line-out double play was followed up by a pick-off at third from catcher Jarrett LaPointe to get Claremont out of the inning unscathed.

In the bottom of the fifth, A four run inning by the RiverDogs, capped off by a Heino double that knocked in Willey, put Newport at 17 and put the game out of reach.

Briand pitched the final six innings for Newport, only allowing two runs. Claremont head coach, Derrick Ferland, said, “They put him in in the second inning and he threw a great game. He was putting the ball over the plate… We’d put in play, they’d catch it, throw us out.”

“We’ll get better,” said Ferland post-game. “We’re still trying to find out who can do what. We’re having to move some kids around and out of their comfort zone. But they’re going to learn quickly that it’s all about throwing strikes and catching the ball. It’s not a difficult game unless you make it so, and that’s what Newport did very well tonight. There were a couple bright spots [for Claremont]… we had a couple kids throw the ball well, so we will build off that.”

On Wednesday, June 20, Newport and Claremont are back in action. Newport will be travelling to Walpole and Claremont is hosting Sunapee. Both games start at 6 p.m.

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