BASEBALL: Assistant Coach Dan Morin
The Rams started the season winning 17-0 vs.Westbrook going 3-0 before losing at Scarborough. The boys went on to win 4 of their next 6 games and were 7-3, but unfortunately hit some end of season speed bumps to finish 7-7.
The highlight of 2021 came when hosting Noble to start the playoffs. Junior Kyle Skolfield pitched a no-hitter leading Gorham to a 1-0 win. Coach Morin said heartbreak ended the season after a controversial, but hard-fought 3-2 loss vs top-ranked Thornton Academy.
“Southern Maine had arguably the most talented crop of high school pitchers in memory. Included in that group were Rams juniors Colin McDonald (1st Team All-Conference) and Kyle Skolfield (2nd Team All-Conference),” Morin shared.
McDonald started 7 games and was 3-0, while striking out 53 batters in 40 innings pitched. He finished with a 1.75 ERA.
Skolfield started 5 games on the mound but had a hard luck 2-win, 2-loss record despite giving up only 13 hits and 8 total runs (4 earned/.894 ERA) in over 31 innings and striking out 43 hitters.
Joining McDonald and Skolfield as all conference, were 1st Team All-Conference Rams, junior outfielder Caleb Hendrix, and sophomore second-baseman Quinn Dillon. Left fielder Cody Sellick (junior), was named Honorable Mention All-Conference.
“Gorham looks to even bigger and better things for 2022 as they lose one starter to graduation (Bode Meader). The Rams coaching staff wishes only the best to Bode, and other 2021 graduates, Nick Wiliams and Ian Obrey, for their commitment and competitiveness on the diamond,” Morin said.
GIRLS OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD: Coach John Caterina
Coach John Caterina said the Gorham Girls had an outstanding season. The girls team had 35 members with 12 seniors. They finished the regular season undefeated at 7-0 and scored first in a “virtual” version of the SMAA championship meet.
The girls topped off their tremendous season with a strong 2nd place finish (out of 23 teams) in the Class A State Championship meet on June 5th. Juniors Emma Green and Alyvia Caruso won individual state championships in the high jump and 100 m Hurdles respectively. The 4 X 100 Relay Team of Maddie Michaud, Nevaeh Moore, Emma Green and Sydney Connolly defended their 2019 first place finish with a new school record time.
Other scorers included Sydney Connolly in the 100 and 200; Alyvia Caruso in the 300 Hurdles and Long Jump; Olivia Michaud in the Javelin; Carolyn Bishop in the 1600 Racewalk; Elisabeth Loranger in the 400 and the 4 X 800 Relay team of Elisabeth Loranger, Sydney Fox, Rita Cummings and Rachel Cummings.
BOYS OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD: Coach Jason Tanguay
The boys team had 30 members with 10 seniors. They finished the regular season with a record of 4 wins and 3 losses.
They entered the postseason hungry and had a 5th place finish (out of 23 teams) in the Class A State Championship meet. Individual state champions were senior Ryan Gendron, in the high jump; junior Andrew Farr, in the 400, breaking the school record again, along with other school records that day in the 100 and 200; and sophomore, Lucien Beardsley, in the racewalk.
Other scorers included Andrew Farr in the 100 and 200; Ryan Gendron in the long jump; 4×400 relay team of Tommy Sallinen, Elijah Wyatt, Josh Lehmann and Andrew Farr.
BOYS TENNIS: Coach Aaron Landry
Boys Tennis entered the playoffs as the 12 seed – by far the best 12 seed ever in class A tennis according to Coach Aaron Landry.
“We gained a lot of experience at singles, and though the record was tough, sophomore Patrick Cyr, junior Will Boylen, and sophomore Kevin Luo have a bright future in the next few years,” Landry said.
The team was anchored by Seniors Griffin Loranger and Evan Koenig at 1 doubles and Shey Ajayi and Luke Adams at 2 doubles. The doubles teams had a combined record of 22 wins and 4 losses in their 13 matches.
In the SMAA doubles tournament Loranger and Koenig received a bye as the overall 2 seed, unfortunately they ran up against a tough and fully warmed up Westbrook team. Shey and Luke were not seeded but came to play. They won 3 matches and lost to the eventual tournament winners, Kennebunk #1, 8-6 in the quarterfinals.
BOYS LACROSSE: Coach Clayton Jones
“What a great feeling to be out there with the athletes and able to pursue our shared passion,” Coach Clayton Jones said after getting back on the field with his athletes.
Jones said this group did a great job of adapting to whatever circumstances were thrown their way. “Picking up the pieces from a two-year layoff, we started practices in the parking lot – never ideal – but just happy to be outside and together,” he said.
After a great first week, and building momentum, practices shut down for a week due to Covid restrictions at the high school. Coach Jones said this is normally a crucial time when varsity players can really prepare together and scrimmage one or two other teams.
“Yet, in the spirit of our motto for the season – ‘adapt and overcome,’ we started back up again from scratch the following week, with only days until our first game,” he went on to say.
The season opener vs. Westbrook was postponed due to their own Covid shut down, so they began the season with a solid win over an improved Bonny Eagle squad, 12-9. The Rams faced their first real test against Portland.
“We met that challenge with a resounding 17-6 win, buoyed by the return of Jacob Graham from injury and Beck Carrier from a short stint in baseball. We faced Portland again in a rematch at home. They proved to be tougher the second time around, but our defense clamped down for a 10-4 victory,” Coach Jones said.
The boys went into the last game of their season at 11-0, and looking for the perfect regular season, the Rams travelled to Brunswick to meet another top team from Class B; this thriller saw the Rams come out on the losing end by one 14-13.
Although not a perfect season, the Rams were eager for the tournament. Hosting Bonny Eagle in the first round, the Rams came through with a strong performance, winning 9-6. They advanced to the second round where they lost 18-2 to the eventual State Champions, Cape Elizabeth.
Gorham was led by Senior Captain Ben Tukey, who led the team in scoring with 52 goals and 34 assists for 86 points. Tukey also scooped up 57 ground balls, which is a testament to his work ethic. “A remarkable season for the senior who is moving on to play at Castleton State next year., Coach Jones said proudly.
Jones shared that also leading the charge from the attack was junior Hunter Pelletier, who tallied 67 points, and from the midfield Ayden Lindsay who tallied 43 points. Ian Connors jumped in the varsity net for his first start ever and made great strides throughout the season, earning honorable mention all-conference in the end. The Rams also saw great leadership from senior Captain Josh Labrie and senior face-off specialist and all-around defender Beck Carrier.
Tukey, Pelletier, Lindsay, Carrier and defender Liam Moss were named All-Conference, while Goalie Connors and midfielder Brady Sawyer were named Honorable Mention. Carrier and Labrie were named All-Academic.
Jones said, “Off the field, this crew came out en masse (over 35) to help with the Gorham Clean Up on a cold rainy day in April, and came out to support their middle school proteges as well. Ben Tukey garnered the ‘Spirit of the Game’ Award, Josh Labrie the Integrity Award, and Beck Carrier the Coaches’ Award.”
With a strong core of players returning next year, the Rams look to make a deeper run into the tournament in 2022. “Special thanks to all our parents, athletics and grounds staff, and the officials for the hard work everyone put in to be ready for the season, and the flexibility necessary to make it all happen,” Coach Jones said.
Unavailable at time of print: Softball, Girls Lacrosse and Girls Tennis