The Lebanon 12U all-stars are one of two Upper Valley teams to win a state Cal Ripken youth baseball championship and qualify for this weekend’s New England tournament in Waterville, Maine. Lebanon ousted Barrington, 14-4, on Friday to take the New Hampshire crown.
The Lebanon 12U all-stars are one of two Upper Valley teams to win a state Cal Ripken youth baseball championship and qualify for this weekend’s New England tournament in Waterville, Maine. Lebanon ousted Barrington, 14-4, on Friday to take the New Hampshire crown. Credit: Courtesy photograph

Barrington, n.h. — The Lebanon 12U Cal Ripken baseball all-stars concluded a ripping run through the New Hampshire state tournament by rolling to a 14-4, five-inning win over host Barrington to claim the state title on Friday evening at the Barrington Youth Association fields.

Lebanon jumped to a 4-1 lead after one inning thanks to a Bodie Benoit RBI double, a two-run Zach Thompson single and a run-scoring single from Cayden Van Dolah. A four-run second keyed by a three-run Dominic Petkus home run essentially sealed the deal.

Barrington closed the gap to 8-4 in the third but got no closer. Sam Bates shut down Barrington the rest of the way to get the complete-game win. Dawson Bates, Benoit and Petkus contributed RBIs in the fourth, and Alex Shareiko’s run-scoring grounder in the fifth finished the game via the 10-run rule.

Petkus and Thompson finished with a team-best three RBIs apiece. Thompson, Benoit and Dawson Bates each had two hits to power the offense in the state final.

Lebanon ran unscathed through states, going 4-0 and outscoring its four victims by a 38-6 margin. The championship sends Lebanon on to the New England finals, which begin on Friday in Waterville, Maine.

The roster: Ben Achmoody (Lebanon), Zachary Aldrich (Lebanon), Dawson Bates (Lebanon), Sam Bates (Lebanon), Bodie Benoit (Lebanon), Parker Broughton (Grantham), Zach Gaudet (Lebanon), Bennett Hewett (Plainfield), Dominic Petkus (Lebanon), Alex Shareiko (Canaan), Zach Thompson (Enfield) and Cayden Van Dolah (Plainfield). The coaches are Mike Van Dolah, Eric Bates and Joe Benoit.

CV All-StarsSeeking Assistance

Thetford — The New England championship-bound Central Vermont 12U all-stars, fresh from winning their Vermont state championship, are seeking financial assistance to help with the costs of travelling to Maine.

Central Vermont won the Vermont title last weekend. The squad — which consists of players from Tunbridge, Chelsea, Barnard, Bethel, Randolph, Thetford, Strafford and Braintree, Vt. — has set up a GoFundMe page and is soliciting donations. The team has set a fundraising goal of $10,000 and had raised just shy of $2,500 as of Wednesday morning.

The website address is www.gofundme.com/help-our-boys-get-to-regionals?member=400568.

On the Diamond

Robert Ammel Youth Day

White River Junction — With the support of the Lebanon Post 22 and White River Junction Post 84 American Legion baseball programs, area youth baseball players are invited to the inaugural Robert E. Ammel Jr. Memorial Youth Day at the Maxfield Sports Complex on July 22.

The celebration of Ammel’s life and contributions to youth sports will run from noon-2:30 p.m. Members of both American Legion teams will be on hand to run fun skill drills with young participants. The first 90 youths ages 12 and under to register will get a free barbecue lunch and event T-shirt. The day includes a raffle as well as a ceremony unveiling the Bob Ammel Memorial Garden at Maxfield and wraps up with a Post 84 baseball doubleheader against Bellows Falls Post 37.

There is no charge to participate. For more information on the day or the Robert E. Ammel Jr. Memorial Scholarship or to register, email Bob AmmelSF@gmail.com or visit the scholarship program’s Facebook page.

On the Pitch

UVRFC Moving Up

Lebanon — The Upper Valley Rugby Club’s men’s squad, the Mountain Men, will compete in the New England Rugby Football Union’s Division III this fall.

Founded in 2015, the Mountain Men quickly established their presence in Division IV, NERFU’s entry-level league. The team finished second in its inaugural campaign in 2016, then ran to an undefeated D-IV title last fall to earn promotion.

In an effort to increase its numbers for both the men and the women’s Valkyries squad, the UVRFC is currently holding regular learn-to-play workouts on Wednesdays starting at 5:30 p.m. on the field at the former Lebanon Junior High School. No prior experience is necessary to join.

For more information on the club, visit www.uppervalleyrugby.com.

On the Run

Stoaked Run Coming

Hanover — The Stoaked Trail Run, the seventh event of the Western New Hampshire Trail Running Series, will take place on Aug. 4 at Storrs Pond Recreation Area along the Oak Hill cross country trail network.

The 12.5-kilometer race is open to all ages. The first 100 registrants also will receive a free day pass to Storrs Pond for after the race’s conclusion. The run begins at 9 a.m.

Preregistration (through Aug. 3) is available through www.wnhtrs.com at a cost of $10 for youths ages 15-19 and $15 for adults. Race-day registration will be available for an additional $5 for both divisions.

Visit the Western New Hampshire Trail Running Series website or contact the Upper Valley Trails Alliance at 802-649-9075 for more details.

On a Leash

Dog Show Coming

Tunbridge — The Woodstock Dog Club and Green Mountain Dog Club are combining their forces to host the Vermont Scenic Circuit Dog Show beginning today and running through Sunday at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds.

The show will offer something for everyone, with a chance to observe a variety of dog breeds, watch judging, see puppies getting started in American Kennel Club-sanctioned competition and catch young owner-handlers at work all four days.

The first and third days of the competition will include an event, the national owner-handler series, for exhibitors trying to land a spot at the AKC’s national championship in Orlando, Fla., in December.

Dog show tours will be available through the weekend. There is no charge to attend the show, which runs from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. each day.

On Two Wheels

Tour de Taste Set

Fairlee — The Upper Valley Trails Alliance will hold its 12th Tour de Taste pedaling picnic on Sept. 9 starting at 10 a.m.

The tour takes cyclists along scenic routes covering six, 21 or 30 miles, with food stops along the way staffed by local restaurants and farms.

Pre-registration is required for the Tour de Taste. All funds raised go toward the UVTA’s programs and trail improvement projects.

Visit www.uvtrails.org for more information or to register.