In a thrilling high-scoring affair at Mansfield Stadium on Thursday night, the Hampden Academy Broncos rallied for a 13-11 come-from-behind victory over the Bangor Rams. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging runs throughout the night. Hampden and Bangor traded four-run outbursts in the second inning, and the Rams took an 11-7 lead after putting up five runs in the fifth. However, the Broncos remained unfazed and retaliated with three runs each in the sixth and seventh innings to secure the victory.
The pivotal moment of the game came in the top of the seventh inning with two outs. Hampden junior Andrew Cote stepped up to the plate and smacked a 2-2 curveball into right field for a bases-clearing triple, turning an 11-10 deficit into a 13-11 lead with one swing of the bat. Cote finished the game 2-for-4 with one walk and four RBIs.
“Honestly, I was shaking in my boots, I’m not gonna lie,” Cote said. “I found a way to put the barrel on the ball, and good things happen when you do.”
In addition to Cote, other key contributors for Hampden included TJ Llerena, who had a two-run single in the sixth inning, and Garrett McLeod, who went 2-for-5 with three RBIs. Bodie Bishop started on the mound for the Broncos, pitching three innings and allowing three earned runs while striking out two. Kaysen Wildman came on in relief and pitched one inning, striking out one batter and earning the save.
For Bangor, senior catcher Jack Schuck had a solid offensive outing, going 1-for-2 with three walks and three runs scored. Sophomore first baseman Kyle Johnson also had a strong game, finishing 3-for-5 with four RBIs and two runs scored. Teddy Stephenson started on the mound for the Rams and pitched three and two-thirds innings, allowing five hits and four earned runs while striking out two.
“The sun didn’t help us tonight, and we made a couple mistakes, but the kids never gave up,” Bangor head coach Dave Morris said. ”It was a good, hard-fought game. Give credit to Hampden, they hit the ball when they needed to. That’s baseball.”
With the victory, Hampden improves to 3-0 on the season, while Bangor falls to 2-1. Hampden will next host Lewiston on Saturday at noon, while Bangor will play Edward Little on Friday at 4:30 p.m. in a rematch of last year’s Class A North title game.
