The Machias Area Little League All-Stars created a lasting memory for their Washington County community by becoming the first team from the town to win a state championship.
Even though Machias lost both games at the four-team New England Region Tournament in Bristol, Connecticut, to Massachusetts champ Braintree American (15-0) and New Hampshire titlist Bedford Little League (11-3), it doesn’t diminish the positive impact it had on its community, the coach said.
Machias went 3-0 in the state tournament, which it hosted. That included two wins over Capital Area and one over Gorham.
Machias beat Capital Area 7-4 in the clinching game. Head coach Nick Wood said the impact on the community has been “huge.”
“It was pretty special, for sure. In a small area like this, everyone is pretty close-knit, so it really hits home with everyone when something special takes place,” said Wood. “And sports have always meant a lot to everyone around here. It really showed with sponsors that we got and the donations. As soon as we won states, businesses were helping us raise money to get to Connecticut.
“It has been awesome,” said Chad Fitzsimmons, the president of Machias Little League.
He said he had never seen a crowd at their field like the one they had for the championship game.
“It was incredible,” said Fitzsimmons.
The team featured five 12-year-old players who were participating in their fourth straight state tournament together: Jase Albert, Lincoln Fergerson, Emmett Alley, Chandler Harmon and Brantley Wood, Nick’s son.
They went to the states in Minor League ball (10-under) twice before graduating to Majors and participating in two Little League state tourneys. They won one game at the states in Windham a year ago.
They were the runners-up in the Minor League state tournament two years ago.
“They were convinced they were going to win a state title, and they got it this year,” said Wood, who was an assistant last season.
Wood, Albert and Fergerson were the team’s top pitchers and were also key contributors at the plate. Wood was the shortstop when he wasn’t pitching; Albert was the first baseman and played outfield; and Fergerson played second base and shortstop.
Alley could play second or the outfield, and Harmon played first and the outfield.
Alley had three hits and four runs batted in in the 9-3 win over Capital Area in the teams’ first meeting.
Wood and Albert teamed up on the mound with Fergerson and Levi Holmes to beat Gorham 3-2 in the opener of the six-team tournament, and Wood and Albert collaborated in the championship game win over Capital Area. Fergerson notched the victory in the 9-3 win over Capital Area.
Holmes, who plays centerfield, hit two homers in the state tourney after belting one in the District 1 tournament.
Jake Shimabukuro has made an impact as the catcher and as a hitter. He moved to Machias from Texas last year, according to Wood.
Cyrus Meyer was the third baseman, and Gabe Jackson played left field and both were productive hitters, Wood said.
Little League baseball allows a 12-player lineup, although only nine can play in the field and the three players who were mostly just hitters were Brayden Roy, Jake Taylor and Nikos Pelivanis.
Fitzsimmons said the evolution of Machias into a state champion has been in the making for a “decade.”
He said the team used to struggle in the district tournament, but has built a strong program that extends beyond just the Little League team.
The Minor and Junior (ages 13-14) League baseball teams and Major League softball team also won district titles.
Wood, who was assisted by Ryan Harmon and Mike Fergerson, said this was one of the deeper teams they’ve had and said the players had fun at the New England Region tourney.
“They could have played better, but there were a lot of mixed emotions that go into it between nerves and a combination of things,” said Wood.
Wood is hoping the program continues to stay strong.
“We’ve got to keep working,” he said.
