Monthly Archives: May 2021

May 9, 2021 · 11:10 am

Brandon Caston gets first win

Brandon Caston wins first Bandits feature

(Oxford ME) Two weeks ago, Brandon Caston took the lead early in the Bandits feature…..and lost it at the end.

Not this time.

It was Brandon’s first win at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Brandon Caston across the finish line with Jeff Libby second

“I’ve been chasing this for four years,” said Brandon afterwards. “I couldn’t be happier.”

Jeff Libby was the guy in Brandon’s rearview mirror as he navigated lap-after-lap of the 20-lap feature in front.

Two weeks ago, it was last year’s points winner, Alex Mowatt behind him.

“It was the first race of this season,” recalled Brandon. “I was out there getting used to the car. I had the lead and then I saw Alex coming. I had watched him for two years and I knew he was quick. I was like, ‘Oh, no. Here we go.’ I overdrove the car and lost the lead. I was, however, happy to get my first trophy.”

This time around Brandon kept the challenger (Jeff Libby) in his rearview mirror in the closing laps and secured his first top spot.

Alex Mowatt finished third after winning the first two weeks.

“It’s good to get on the podium with Jeff and Alex,” said Brandon. “They’re really good people.”

Brandon Caston (middle) makes his move on the leaders

One of the appealing trademarks for spectators of Bandits features is that the more successful a driver has been, the further back he is placed to start in future races. (I’m not sure the drivers are thrilled with this!)

“I was pretty nervous going into the feature,” said Jeff Libby, “because I was starting in the middle of the pack. There were guys up front with less experience.”

Accurate split decisions become essential for the previously successful drivers if they are to finish at, or near, the front as they have done before.

“I knew going into the race that I had to get to the outside,” said Brandon. “The car was really fast out there. To get there early I ended up pushing Caleb (Proctor) out three wide. I didn’t mean to do that. I thought there was room.”

Brandon Caston (14) gets the lead with Jeff Libby (44) following

But Brandon did get outside and quickly was by early leader Josh Lovell and on his way to the front for the rest of the race.

Brandon’s move helped Jeff Libby.

“Our buddy Brandon poked a big hole for us, and we followed him through it,” said Jeff. “It worked out for the best for us tonight.”

Jeff and Brandon both won their heats.

Jeff was able to hold off Alex Mowatt in his heat.

“Alex is very fast,” said Jeff. “We did everything we could to keep him behind us.”

Brandon Caston: “Three years ago I started racing using Caleb’s old O4. It didn’t go too well and so I took a couple of years off. Last year, I did a little bit and finished 4^th in my first race back (July 18^th). I decided to buy another car this year and go for the points and see how it would do.”

Jeff Libby: “The car is going very good (4^th and two 2nds). We’re running a different tire this year and that seems to be helping quite a bit.”

Overcast weather looking as if it might rain but it didn’t.

Lengthy time in post-race tech for the Bandits drivers after new regulations kicked in.

Good to finally be at OPS in person although the videos of the races from the previous two weeks have been very helpful is seeing how things are going at OPS.

The Bandits feature today was restart free. Maybe the “inexperienced” drivers are getting better at navigating the early laps? Last season that first corner was close to a fender-bender certainty!

Josh Lovell (42) and Nick Wilson (53) collide

It took Jeff Libby nine weeks last season to get his first-ever top finish. Hasn’t had one after three weeks this season. About due?

Expecting something special from Alex Mowatt in Week Four.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Early going in first heat – Jeff Libby leading Caleb Proctore and Alex/Luke Mowatt

Start of the second heat with Josh Lovell in front

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Filed under Oxford Plains Speedway

Tagged as Alex Mowatt, Brandon Caston, Caleb Proctor

May 7, 2021 · 10:27 pm

Triton gets twenty-five hits defeating Pentucket 27-12

Haleigh Harris had one of Triton’s three home runs

(Groveland MA) “Triton is a crazy hitting team,” said Pentucket coach Deb Smith afterwards.

No chance of an argument on that one from anyone at Groveland Pines this afternoon.

Triton put on a hitting show defeating Pentucket, 27-12, in a game called after five innings.

“We can hit,” said Triton coach Alan Noyes, “and when our pitching develops, we’re going to be pretty good.”

Triton coach Alan Noyes and Emily Johnson

The Vikings (1-1) climbed off the bus hitting today jumping into a seven-run lead in the first inning.

Credit Pentucket. They put a six-run inning together in the second inning and the game was tied, 7-7, after two innings.

“Pentucket girls don’t quit,” added Coach Noyes. “A lot of these kids play together on club teams.”

“I liked the way we came back after falling behind early,” said Coach Smith.

The good news for the Sachems (0-2) was the early comeback. The bad news was that the Vikings weren’t done scoring.

The visitors from Byfield sent fourteen batters to the plate in the third inning adding nine runs. In the fifth inning it was sixteen batters and ten more runs.

“Triton hit the ball so hard and so well and they were very disciplined waiting for their pitch,” said Coach Smith. “It was hard to defend.”

Haleigh Harris, Natalie Indingaro, and Mallory Johnson had over-the-fence home runs for Triton.

Sophomore Grace Romine took the win going four innings in relief of starter Mallory Johnson. Grace also scored three runs, had four hits, and drove five runs in.

Freshman Mallory Johnson collected three hits (including the HR), scored two runs, and added six RBI.

Sophomore Natalie Indingaro contributed four hits (including the HR), scored two runs, and drove in six.

Everyone in the Triton starting lineup had at least one hit.

Pentucket did end up getting twelve runs which would be enough to be competitive with many Cape Ann League teams.

Sophomore Ella Agocs and junior Bailey Stock each had three hits for the Sachems.

“There’s nothing we can do but get better,” said Coach Smith. “I’m not worried. We’ll learn from today and hopefully get some wins next week.”

Coach Noyes: “Seven of our starters are either freshman or sophomores. Twelve of the thirteen kids on our roster had never dressed for a varsity game.”

Coach Smith: “We have almost all new players with only one returning starter.”

Senior Charlotte Latham and junior Meg Hamel did the pitching for Pentucket.

It may be early, but Triton’s freshman shortstop Kyla Story looks to have the range and arm of her predecessor CAL All-Star Bridget Sheehan. Kyla had three hits and scored three runs.

I haven’t done a Pentucket softball game for a while. Last time for me may have been when Julie Freitas (assistant coach) pitched the Sachems past Newburyport. Julie is now at UNH playing club softball.

There was plenty of “action” beyond the leftfield fence if dogs barking is your thing. One of Triton’s home runs gave those dogs something to bark about landing in the midst of them.

I’ve done a few games and the pattern is for the visiting team to be late arriving. Learned why today. It’s because of a shortage of bus drivers due to Covid-19. A driver has to finish his/her route before bringing a team to a game.

Sunny afternoon but breezy.

When I get into Groveland Pines it takes me back to college days when I used to come here to watch drivers such as Bentley Warren and Ollie Silva in action.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

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Filed under Pentucket, Triton

Tagged as Bailey Stock, Ella Agocs, Grace Romine, Haleigh Harris, Kyla Story, Natalie Indingaro

May 6, 2021 · 11:20 pm

Newburyport hits and fields its way to a 10-4 win over Triton

Jax Budgell slides home safely during Newburyport’s six-run fourth inning

(Rowley MA) Newburyport made full use of the equipment they brought.

The Clippers collected twelve hits defeating Triton, 10-4, at Eiras Park in the season opener for both teams on a sunny Thursday afternoon.

And then there were the gloves.

Sometimes you’ll get one catch that earns a star in the scorebook. On this afternoon, all the Clippers outfielders (Ryan Archer, Jake Buontempo, Jax Budgell) had highlight moments.

“We have some great outfielders,” understated NHS starter Jack Fehlner afterwards.

Newburyport picked up six runs in the fourth inning with two outs and Triton couldn’t completely recover.

The Vikings did recover enough to close to 6-4 with a run in the 4^th and three in the 5^th.

Newburyport starter Jack Fehlner ended both of Triton’s run-producing innings with called strikeouts to limit their comeback attempts.

Jax Budgell makes a diving catch to end the game

“Triton is a very good hitting team,” said Jack.

Ryan Archer scored twice for the Clippers

“When Triton was down by six, I told the team between innings that they won’t lay down,” said Coach Mark Rowe, “and they didn’t.”

Catcher Nick White, usually known for his defense behind the plate, was instead recognized (by me) for his hitting. And why not, he had three hits and four RBI.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a hitting game like this before,” explained Nick.

“With the rain recently, we’ve done a lot of hitting under the stadium and I think it paid off,” said Coach Rowe.

Senior Ryan Archer also had three hits that turned into three RBI.

“Newburyport is a good team,” said Triton coach Ryan McCarthy. “They have returning players and they’re aggressive at the plate.”

Triton managed seven hits with senior Brady Lindholm getting two hits for the Vikes.

Things did not go Triton’s way in Newburyport’s six-run fourth inning. The Vikings nearly had baserunner Charlie Forrest picked off. Later in the same inning, Newburyport loaded the bases with two outs and no runs in at this point. An infield grounder didn’t result in an inning-ending force-out and two runs scored. Four more Clippers runs would follow before Triton could stop the damage.

“It stung that they got six with two outs,” recalled Coach McCarthy.

The Vikings rallied back in the 4^th and 5^th. Cael Kohan’s bases-loaded single gave Triton its second run.

Kyle Odoy followed with a grounder to 3B Demetri Connor. Demetri tried for a force at home, but his throw was wide, and two Vikings crossed the plate.

“I thought Jack (Fehlner) pitched great,” said Coach Rowe. “We made some mistakes in the inning they scored three runs.”

Sophomore Owen Tahnk pitched the last two innings for Newburyport.

Owen’s pitching probably won’t be remembered very much because it was during his two innings that Newburyport’s outfield trio put on their show.

In each of the catches, the outfielder had to dive forward to get the ball………and it worked for all three of them.

Plenty of sun and plenty of spectators.

“It was great weather, and we had a chance to play the game we love,” said Coach McCarthy.

Nick White: “Any time you can put up double-digit runs you’ve had a good hitting night. I think that our two pitchers (Jack Fehlner, Owen Tahnk) will be among the best in the league.”

Besides getting twelve hits, the Clippers took eight walks. Triton had only one walk.

Not counting today’s game, the last eight times these teams had met they had each won four times.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

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Filed under Newburyport, Triton

Tagged as Brady Lindholm, Jack Fehlner, Jake Buontempo, Jax Budgell, Nick White, Ryan Archer

May 3, 2021 · 7:52 pm

Chase Dwight puts on a show in scrimmage against Ipswich

Chase Dwight pitched four shutout innings

(Groveland MA) Impressive.

Chase Dwight had a 3-run homer in the 4th inning against Ipswich

Chase Dwight in the midst of the HR celebration

Pentucket sophomore Chase Dwight pitched four shutout innings and drilled a 3-run homer.

Chase’s shot over the fence in left center in the 4^th inning off Ipswich relief pitcher Jake Reily scored Joe Lynch and Andrew Melone.

It was only a scrimmage so overreacting in any direction is folly.

However, it seems quite certain that Chase Dwight will play a prominent role for the Sachems in the Cape Ann League regular season which starts later this week.

The Monday afternoon event was played at Groveland Pines.

The prevailing winds there made every ball in the air toward right field an adventure for the fielders. Several drives that way either sliced away, or dropped in front, of fielders.

That same wind turned things from cool to cold for those of us spectators. I lasted four innings.

As is the habit with a scrimmage, there were no numbered uniforms worn or rosters available. I took pictures but won’t be putting names to most of them.

I do plan to post the unnamed ones on Instagram (mcclellandmiscellanea) asking for IDs. Once I get the names, I will add that picture to my online blog (McClelland Miscellanea) coverage of the scrimmage.

(All of the pictures will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)