State champs!

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CHAMPS! — The Andy Valley 10U baseball team, comprised of kids from Norway, South Paris, West Paris, Woodstock, Oxford, and Hebron, won the Maine State Championship this past week beating Skowhegan 11-3 in the Championship game. The team now advances to play in the New England Regional held in Danbury, CT starting play on Sat July 21st. A fund raising effort is being collaborated with the Andy Vally 12U team that won their respective State Title last week as well and will be playing in Burlington, MA. The trips to these Regionals are very expensive and funds are being raised to offset the cost of these trips. Checks can be made out to Andy Valley Cal Ripken League and mailed to: Tom Morton, PO Box 157, South Paris, 04281.

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WINNERS — The Andy Valley 12U All Stars captured the Maine State Championship defeating Mt Ararat. Front, from left, Coach Steve English, Mack Pelletier, Tanner Mann, Jack Morton, Duncan Forbes, Tyler Swanbeck, Coach Rob Pelletier. Second Row, Jack Crane, Josh Eliot, Connor Truman, Emery Chickering, Ben Bernier, Troy Johnson, Ben English, Coach John Eliot. Back Row, Coach Robert Mann.

The Andy Valley 12U All Stars captured the Maine State Championship defeating Mt Ararat in thrilling style. Undefeated Andy Valley was down 5-1 going into the bottom of the 6th inning, tied the game, and clinched the title in the extra inning.

That sixth inning started with a full count walk by Ben English. Connor Truman hit a single to give Andy Valley first and second with no outs. After two strikeouts, Andy Valley was still down 5 to 1 with only one out to a loss.

Tyler Swanbeck then hit a single that scored Ben English. Ben Bernier was intentionally walked to load the bases and bring up Troy Johnson. Johnson took a pitch and singled in a run to make it 5 to 3. Emery Chickering tied the score with a two run base clearing double.

The game ended in the 7th inning with a bases-loaded walk off walk by Ben Bernier.

Andy Valley swept districts 3-0, and went 4-0 through the State Championship Tournament held in Fryeburg. Ben Bernier, Emery Chickering, Josh Eliot and Troy Johnson handled the pitching duties for the championship run.

Ben Bernier was a major contributor for the team with his solid pitching, tough bat and leadership behind the plate. Leadoff hitter Tyler Swanbeck used his bat and speed to cause havoc on the base paths for his opponents.

Jack Morton backed up his solid second base play with his bat, hitting a homerun that ended the game 1 against Berwick. Emery Chickering hit a towering homerun in that game. Chickering also handled much of the catching duties for his fellow pitchers.

Troy Johnson and Josh Eliot were solid at the plate, in the field, and on the mound. Outfielder Connor Truman tracked down fly balls and made key hits to help his team advance to regional play.

First basemen Ben English and 2nd baseman Mack Pelletier lead the defense and had key at bats in late innings that helped either tie or win games. Duncan Forbes added outfield depth, making key catches in pressure situations.

Jack Crane and Tanner Mann both played stellar defense and gave Andy Valley much needed depth in the batting order, with late inning hits that helped the Andy Valley cause.

This team will represent Maine in the Cal Ripken Regional Tournament in Burlington, Massachusetts starting July 20th.