Foxcroft Academy’s baseball team fired on all cylinders against Orono on Monday afternoon, mercy ruling the Red Riots 12-0 in five innings, while holding them hitless.
On the mound, Pony senior Jadon Richard relied on his fastball and knuckleball to keep Orono off-balance all afternoon, securing all fifteen outs in just 70 pitches. He tallied three strikeouts and conceded three walks, nailing down the no-no in the fifth by inducing three Orono pop outs.
It was Foxcroft’s (10-0) 10th straight victory to start the season — previously walking the Riots (4-6) off 3-2 on April 27 — and Richard’s fifth win in six appearances (three starts).
“It was a close game last time, and we came in here today expecting to get the job done,” Richard said. “We have high energy this year, and I felt pretty dialed, finding the strike zone pretty well. It helps having a stud [catcher] like Thomas for sure.”
Richard (2-for-4, three stolen bases, three runs) and freshman Thomas Day (1-for-2, two walks, one RBI, four runs) also powered Foxcroft’s offensive engine on Monday, from the leadoff and cleanup spots, respectively.
The duo crossed the plate in the first, second and third innings, as the Ponies built a 9-0 lead for themselves through three. Collecting many of these RBIs was junior third baseman Calvin Landry (batting .352), who tallied three hits (one double), a walk and four RBIs from the five spot.
“Our baseball team’s looking really good this year,” Landry said. “We have a lot of great pitching, a lot of great swings are coming from us, and we’re here to compete.”
Also contributing for Foxcroft on Monday was junior center fielder Hayden Strout (2-for-3, two runs, two stolen bases) sophomore first baseman Jack Caruso (1-for-2, two walks) and Thomas’ cousin Jack Day (1-for-3, one walk, two runs).
Adding fuel to Foxcroft’s fire was a rough defensive performance from Orono, who committed two errors in the first inning, two in the second and one in the third.
Orono yanked senior ace Adam Sherman (five walks, three strikeouts) after two innings, having thrown 59 pitches and faced 17 batters. Junior Sal Wise (two walks, two strikeouts) pitched two solid innings of relief, but the damage was already done.
Wise, sophomore Kason Bagley and sophomore Andrew Barrett each drew one walk against Richard on Monday. Wise’s walk came in the fifth with two outs, in an eight pitch at-bat.
“Adam pitched well, but he didn’t get any support. He had a couple of long innings, because we gave them five or six outs,” Orono head Don Joseph said. “You can’t do that against this team. We’ve got six games left; we’ve got to compete.”
The Red Riots will look to bounce back versus George Stevens Academy/Deer Isle-Stonington (4-6) away at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and then Dexter (2-8) away on Friday at the same time.
Foxcroft Academy will try to extend its undefeated season versus Ellsworth (8-1) away at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, and Dexter at 3 p.m. on Thursday.