Maine

Baseball: Maine-Endwell outlasts Nanuet in Class A subregional extra-inning thriller

Published

2 years ago

May 31, 2024

Baseball: Maine-Endwell outlasts Nanuet in Class A subregional extra-inning thriller

PURCHASE – Everyone was on edge from the first pitch to the final out, with every ooh and ahh, cheer and groan to match the various momentum swings of Thursday night’s Class A state regional semifinals between Section 1’s Nanuet and Section 4’s Maine-Endwell.

Maine-Endwell made its grand entrance after a three-hour bus ride to SUNY Purchase, quickly taking a two-run lead to start.

Nanuet dug its heels, though, behind standout ace Aidan Kempf and a large crowd that made the trip over the Hudson River to support the Golden Knights. The Golden Knights’ resolve and a Maine-Endwell miscue led to the game-tying runs, and from there, it was a back-and-forth battle.

In the end of an extra-inning thriller, the Spartans defeated Golden Knights, 4-2, after nine innings.

Austyn Nyschot delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the ninth inning, after Jack Hennessey led off with a triple.

“(Hennessey and I) kind of gave each other a look and said, ‘Let’s end this thing,’” Nyschot said of his go-ahead single. “Just stay patient at the plate, find a way to get a runner on base, which Jack did a great job. Then, just had to get the run in.

“This means a lot, because last year, we got eliminated even before the sectional championship, so this is huge for us. Huge bounce-back year after last year, which was not good at all. This has given us a lot of confidence, we see we have a chance to win this year.”

Kempf threw another postseason gem on the mound for Nanuet, before hitting the pitch count limit shortly after the Spartans took the lead in the top of the ninth.

Maine-Endwell eventually loaded the bases and scored an insurance run on a RBI bunt single by Michael Jamba.

Nanuet was able to minimize the damage, when first baseman Andrew Hastings made a crucial snag and stepped on the base to turn an inning-ending double play to get the Golden Knights out of the bases-loaded jam.

“We got ambushed, but we fought back and clawed back, and that shows their character,” Nanuet coach Carlos Fidalgo said. “We played hard and tough to the end. We were prepared for every situation, including this one coming down to the last out. We battled as best we can and tip your cap to Maine-Endwell, they played really well and the pitcher was outstanding. He shut us down at the end.”

Nanuet got its leadoff runner aboard after an error to start the ninth inning, but just as the Spartans had done whenever the Golden Knights appeared to be building momentum, they executed key plays defensively to halt their opponent.

Maine-Endwell’s Santino Michitti threw out the runner attempting to steal second, then the next two batters went down in order to seal the victory.

Defense also came in clutch for the Spartans in the bottom of the seventh inning, when Nanuet had a runner on second. Maine-Endwell executed solid bunt defense and tagged the runner out at third on a fielder’s choice.

Michitti threw out another runner attempting to steal second for the final out to push the game into extras.

“We worked on defense a bunch this year, and it’s really starting to pay off,” Maine-Endwell pitcher Liam Hadfield said. “Honestly, defense has saved our butts a lot recently, and I think it’s because we really drill it in practice.”

What it means

Maine-Endwell will play Section 9’s Marlboro in the Class A state regional finals on Saturday at Union-Endicott High School. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Nanuet made its first appearance in state regional play since 1995, after defeating Panas in the Section 1 Class A finals.

Players of the game

Liam Hadfield, Maine-Endwell, and Aidan Kempf, Nanuet: A tip of the hat to both pitchers in this thrilling duel. Hadfield was an ironman that pitched all nine innings and was efficient on the mound. He didn’t have any earned runs, and gave up just two hits and one walk. He tallied five strikeouts and kept the Golden Knights off-balanced.

As for Kempf, it was another standout performance for the Pace-committed senior. Kempf went 8⅓ innings, before hitting the pitch count limit. He gave up just one earned run on three hits, with 16 strikeouts and three walks. He also went 2-for-4 with a triple at the plate.

By the numbers

Section 4’s Maine-Endwell (19-5): Santino Michitti went 1-for-3 with a triple, RBI, and a run. Michitti was also solid behind the plate and threw out three runners attempting to steal. Austyn Nyschot had the go-ahead RBI single in the top of the ninth, and he also scored a run. Jack Hennessey had a triple and two runs. Michael Jamba had a RBI bunt single. Maine-Endwell committed four errors.

Section 1’s Nanuet (17-6-1): Mike Cesario and Ryan Trombley each scored a run. An errant throw to third base, after Cesario successfully stole it, gave him and Trombley more than enough time to come around and score the game-tying runs after the ball rolled all the way to the fence in the bottom of the fifth inning. Nanuet committed two errors.

They said it

“(Kempf) doesn’t walk anybody. I’ve watched this guy throw and we’ve studied him a little bit. He doesn’t walk guys, he pounds the zone, and he’s good. When that game got tight like it did late in the game, we had to try and get him out of there. When we did, that is when the game changed.” -Maine-Endwell coach Matt Raleigh

“The first thing I did was thank their families and friends that have supported them all year long. I’ll keep my comments to my team private and we’ll speak on the bus, but I’m super proud of them. They’ve done a tremendous job for Nanuet baseball. Totally flipped around the season from last year, and we have a lot of great baseball ahead of us.” -Nanuet coach Carlos Fidalgo

“Especially this team, this year, it’s been a brotherhood the whole season. We didn’t really have the momentum. We were tied up 2-2, and they had that two-run inning (in the fifth).To come up on top, grind that last inning and score two in the ninth was huge.” -Maine-Endwell senior Austyn Nyschot

Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.

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Maine

18 jaw-dropping views from Katahdin to help you plan for warmer weather

Published

7 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

18 jaw-dropping views from Katahdin to help you plan for warmer weather

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in September 2022.

When it comes to Maine hiking, summiting Katahdin is the ultimate achievement.

Maine’s tallest mountain stands at 5,269 feet, and there are a number of different trails hikers can take to get up and down Katahdin. And while some are harder than others, none are easy.

But the views are incredible.

Whether it’s the rugged terrain of the Knife Edge or the vast landscape of the 200,000 acres that compose Baxter State Park below, here’s a look at what it’s like to climb Katahdin.

Hunt Trail

Hunt Trail traces the edge of a ridge on the west side of Katahdin known as Hunt Spur. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN

Katahdin Stream Falls is one of the many scenic highlights of Katahdin’s Hunt Trail. It’s located about a mile from the trailhead at Katahdin Stream Campground. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN

Abol Trail

Chimney Pond Trail

Cathedral Trail

Saddle Trail

Northwest Basin Trail

Knife Edge

Hikers on the Knife Edge of Katahdin have few options for getting off trail to relieve themselves of human waste. Above treeline, Leave No Trace principles recommend planning ahead to avoid the necessity of going to the bathroom in fragile alpine areas, or getting off trail as far as possible to relieve themselves on rock or gravel. Credit: Courtesy of Brad Viles

Tablelands

South Peak

Hamlin Peak

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Maine

Maine Township Residents OK Purchase Of Building For Food Pantry – Journal & Topics Media Group

Published

19 hours ago

April 18, 2026

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Maine Township Residents OK Purchase Of Building For Food Pantry – Journal & Topics Media Group

Maine Township residents vote in support of purchasing building for the relocation of the township food pantry.

A proposal for Maine Township to purchase a building at 9850 Milwaukee Ave. in Glenview to move its popular and growing food pantry received strong approval at the township’s Annual Meeting held last week at the Town Hall on Ballard Road.
More than 100 residents attended the meeting where they approved buying the property for $1,429,000. The 3,000 sq. ft. building, which is located within the township, had been the home of a local restaurant. It is currently vacant.
In March, Supervisor Kim Jones explained that the food pantry needs more space for food and to accommodate clients who need food. “We’ve totally outgrown it,” said Jones at the time. “We’ve been looking for more than a year.”
Following last week’s meeting, Jones said about the vote, “That magical moment really encapsulated the strong support system that’s been built from neighbors helping neighbors throughout our community. The food pantry has grown in leaps and bounds throughout the last five years thanks to the dedicated work of its staff, volunteers and the public.”
Des Plaines City Clerk Dominik Bronakowski served as ceremonial moderator for the event.
Jones also recognized a number of employees and officials who currently serve the township. They included Assessor Susan Moylan-Krey and MaineStay Youth and Family Services Director Richard Lyon for their 20 years of service to Maine. Assistant Director of MaineStreamers, Therese Tully was recognized for her 25 years of service.
The meeting also recognized former Des Plaines Self-Help Closet and Pantry Director Debbie Walusiak who was presented the Sgt. Karen Lader Good Citizen Award for her more than 20 years of service to the Des Plaines community.
“Debbie is an exceptional community leader and volunteer,” said township Clerk Pete Gialamas whose office runs the annual award program. “Her work with the Des Plaines community, particularly her leadership navigating the Self-Help Closet and Pantry’s 2020 move to a larger location in the midst of the COVID pandemic really shows the depth and resolve of that leadership and dedication to service.”
In 2011, the clerk’s office instituted the award in honor of Lader, a resident of Des Plaines and a 15-year veteran of the Cook County Sheriff’s Police who lost her battle with cancer in 2010. She was deeply involved with the township’s Neighborhood Watch program and active in Maine’s National Night Out Against Crime event held each August. She also worked on Special Olympics and animal rescue.

If you like this story, you can get a whole lot more practically every day of the week by subscribing to journal-topics.com. Click here to choose your preference of either print or online, or call 847-299-5511.

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Maine

Spring birding events are happening across Maine. Here’s where to go.

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Spring birding events are happening across Maine. Here’s where to go.

Now the fun begins, as many birds and quite a few birders return to Maine for the summer. It’s time to get organized.

Birding is generally a quiet, solitary pastime — a stroll in the park, a walk in the woods, a paddle in the marsh.

Penobscot Valley Audubon’s Neighborhood Bird Walks kick off May 6. There are 13 walks scheduled at birding hot spots in Greater Bangor throughout the month. These walks have been immensely popular since they began nine years ago.

The benefits are many. It’s a chance to walk with experienced local guides, finding birds you might otherwise overlook. You can start to associate specific species with their preferred habitats. It’s a great opportunity to learn and practice identification skills and gather tips from others. Many participants enjoy the social camaraderie of guided bird walks.

A Baltimore oriole perches in Maine. Spring birding events take advantage of the surge in returning species. Credit: Courtesy of Bob Duchesne

I will lead two of these morning walks and probably tag along on several others. I chuckle at how easy it is to find birds in May. I’ve done these same walks so many times over the years, I usually know where different species will be before I even arrive. It’s almost like cheating.

Penobscot Valley Audubon members have already received the walk schedule in the most recent newsletter. Nonmembers can find the schedule on the chapter website at pvc.maineudubon.org. The walks are free and open to all.

Morning bird walks are fun. But for a full weekend adventure, try a birding festival. There are four great festivals to choose from.

The Wings, Waves & Woods Festival occupies the third weekend of May. Most events occur in Stonington and Deer Isle. Highlights include a Sunday visit to the Atlantic puffin colony on Seal Island, preceded by a Saturday cruise around the islands outside Stonington Harbor. I’ll be one of the guides on both.

I must say I am particularly excited about the archipelago cruise. Last year was the first year we did it, and I was not prepared for how many winter seabirds were still loitering around the islands. The numbers and variety were astounding. This festival is ideal for seeing the overlap of Maine’s overwintering birds and newly arrived spring migrants, all on the same weekend.

A rose-breasted grosbeak perches in Maine. Migratory songbirds return in May, drawing birders to walks and festivals. Credit: Courtesy of Bob Duchesne

The Downeast Spring Birding Festival spans Memorial Day weekend. I’m awed, or maybe odd, to say I’ve been guiding for this festival ever since it began in 2003. Indeed, I led the very first walk of the first festival. That was amazing enough to convince me to keep doing it for the next 23 years.

Cobscook Institute coordinates the festival from its campus in Trescott. Events cover birding hotspots in Washington County, Campobello Island in New Brunswick and nearby offshore islands. Two different boats will visit two different puffin colonies over the weekend.

I might get an argument from the organizers of other festivals, but I personally think this one is the birdiest for two reasons. Memorial Day weekend is about the time the last returning migrants pass through Washington County, adding to the number of songbirds that have already established breeding territories for the summer. The Cobscook Bay area also has some of the most diverse habitat in the state, creating opportunities to see a wide variety of species in a relatively compact area.

The Acadia Birding Festival is the granddaddy of them all. Now in its 27th year, it’s the biggest of Maine’s festivals and attracts nationally recognized guides and speakers. It offers the advantage of birding in and around Acadia National Park.

The official dates for the festival are May 28-31, but three pre-festival trips are offered: one to Monhegan Island, one to Saddleback Mountain near Rangeley seeking the elusive Bicknell’s thrush and one to visit the puffins on Petit Manan, with a second post-festival trip to Petit Manan also available.

And now for something completely different: The Rangeley Birding Festival. The mountainous forests of western Maine host a different selection of bird species compared to the three coastal festivals. This is the realm of Canada jays, boreal chickadees, black-backed woodpeckers and that elusive Bicknell’s thrush.

By June 5-7, when this festival occurs, spring migration is over. Birds have settled into their nesting territories, where they can be predictably found. Very few organized events introduce birders to the boreal forest, so this festival has its own unique appeal.

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