BY RYAN O'CONNOR
Three years ago, Sweeney Post baseball reached the regional tournament but finished third, losing in the semifinals to the eventual American Legion World Series champion.
This year, manager David Flurey said his team has the tools and talent to improve on that fine performance.
“I wouldn’t say the best team always wins, but we will go up there and definitely leave it all on the field,” said Flurey. “I don’t know what the other teams are like, but you won’t find a team with a bigger heart than Sweeney.”
On Thursday, Aug. 9, Sweeney won the American Legion state title, by defeating Keene, 9-6.
Auburn’s Matt Skeffington doubled in two runners to put his team ahead, 2-0, in the first inning.
“You always want to get off to a good start,” said Flurey. “It’s nice to play ahead, but in a park like this, against a team like Keene, you know it’s going to take more than two runs to beat them.”
Though Keene came back to tie the game in the third, Sweeney gave itself some cushion in the top of the sixth inning.Tyler Poltak led off with a single, Craig Charest was hit by a pitch and Kyle Morrill drew a walk to load the bases.
Alex Quintal drew another base on balls to bring Poltak home, and Michael Pariseau increased the lead to 4-2 with a base hit.
Sweeney’s offensive flame burned brightest in the eighth inning, when it batted around, beginning with a leadoff double by Morrill. Pariseau then hit a shot lost in the trees behind center field to put the locals ahead, 6-2.
By the end of the inning, the lead was seven runs.
Sweeney needed it.
In the bottom of the ninth, Keene charged back but couldn’t overcome the large deficit, sending Sweeney to Burlington, Vt., for the regional tournament.
Skeffington finished the game with two hits in five at-bats, knocking in two runs and scoring one.
“He’s a leader, and the kids look to him for the big hit,” said Flurey of his four-year starting shortstop.
“Between him and Bryan Poltak, I don’t think there is a better shortstop-second base combo in the state.”
Morrill went 2-for-4 on the day and crossed the plate once. Though the 16-year-old didn’t start routinely during the regular season, Flurey said it was important to get his bat in the lineup.
“Kyle is a regular starter for Memorial (High School), and we wanted to get a little more production in the lineup with another solid outfield bat,” he said. “He’s got good speed, and I just felt putting him in right field gave us a better chance offensively.”
Shane Beauchemin pitched a complete game, fanning five and allowing four earned runs.
Sweeney begins regional play on Thursday, Aug. 16.