Five Udder Tuggers made the trek to Bates College in Lewiston on Sunday, September 13 for the Pine Tree Men’s Baseball League All-Star Game and the first annual home run derby. Four of them swung in the derby. Only Tuggers left the yard.
It was a rainy Sunday morning, the baseballs were waterlogged, and getting one out of the ballpark was going to take a herculean effort. Twenty swings each, and most of the field never found one.
Chad Mezoian got the Tuggers on the board first, wrapping one off the left field foul pole — a feat some say is worth three home runs. AJ Arroyo followed with an impressive blast to left center, then saved the best for last — a title-securing shot down the left field line on his twentieth and final swing. Mezoian, playing the outfield and every bit the gentleman, had a chance to rob it and let it go. He knew what the title meant to AJ.
“Chad had a chance to rob it. He knew how much the title meant to AJ.”
Josh Massey, ManagerEric Cavers was the last Tugger to go and wasted no time, belting one within his first five swings. He came close more than once the rest of the round but never matched Arroyo’s total. Stephen Carter also represented the club in the derby.
No other participant in the field hit a single home run — a fair testament to where the power in this league lives. Arroyo will look to defend the title next September, and the rest of the herd will be right on his heels.