The Dirigo High School Cougars scratched out a 17-2 win against the Seahawks on Monday, May 21. Dirigo pitchers Cole Brown and Mike Packard only faced 22 Seahawk batters in the five-inning, shortened game.

Seahawk starting pitcher Cameron Crocker gave way to Fox Elder in the third inning. Owen Barter pitched in the fourth inning only to be relieved with the return of Cameron Crocker who finished out the game.

The Seahawks picked up their two runs following walks to Hunter Crocker and Will Labrecque. Jacob Wilson loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch. Cameron Crocker then drove in two runs with a sharp double to center field.

The Cougars were given encouragement by their assistant coach Bob McPhee. He has been paralyzed since 1976 when playing a scrimmage football game for Rumford High School. He suffered a spinal injury and went on to graduate from the University of Maine in 1981. He became a sportswriter for the Lewiston Sun Journal in 1987. He has received awards including being inducted into the Maine Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame, according to McPhee’s autobiography,  “It Could Be Worse.”

The Dirigo team listened to McPhee’s thoughts as transcribed on a laptop and converted to audio.

With the win, the Cougars are 5-8 on the season. The Seahawks are 2-11 with the loss.