This story originally ran in The Standard-Times on July 27, 2002.

By Nick Tavares
Standard-Times correspondent

PLYMOUTH -- Fairhaven hung on to advance to the second round of the American Legion playoffs in a 3-2 nailbiter over Plymouth Post 40 last night in the third and deciding game of the series.

Pitcher Josh Fortin shook off the early-inning rust to go all seven innings for the victory, striking out four and not giving up a walk in the process.

Plymouth got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning, when Sean Ketterer scored off of a single by clean-up hitter Dan Stafford. A second run was prevented when third baseman Tim Schuyler threw home instead of first and was able to get Plymouth's Mark Paolucci at the plate.

"It's probably been 11 or 12 days since he pitched," said Fairhaven manager J.J. Scott of Fortin, "so you can't just go out there after that long with the mechanics and everything on. He got better as the game went on."

Fairhaven answered back in their next at-bat when Josh Charpentier reached on a throwing error. He was driven in three singles later by Schuyler, followed by Justin Wotton reaching home on a passed ball. Tom Charpentier later drove in Dave Saucier for the third run of the inning.

Fortin held Plymouth scoreless over the next four innings, when Stafford led off the sixth with a home run to left-center field to bring the game within one run for Plymouth. Fortin then got the next three batters out to end the inning.

Plymouth brought the potential winning run to the plate when Greg Besequi led off the seventh with a single to right field. Fortin got the next three batters to pop up to end the game and clinch the series victory.

Fairhaven was held at bay by pitcher Justin Thompson, who allowed only three baserunners after the second inning and only one to get in scoring position, when Josh Charpentier advanced to second on a Wotton sacrifice in the fifth inning. Fairhaven also only managed one more hit, an infield hit legged out by Wotton in the fourth.

"This team's gutsy," added Scott. "We played tough, manufactured some runs, took advantage of some situations, and I'm proud of the kids for not ever giving up."

Fairhaven plays next on Sunday in another three-game series against an as-yet unknown opponent, and from there can advance to the eight-team, double-elimination state tournament.

Plymouth outhit Fairhaven 9-5 in the game, with each team committing one error.

This story appeared on Page B1 of The Standard-Times on July 27, 2002.