Portsmouth Booma Post 6 opens Northeast Regional legion tourney with shutout over Vermont

MANCHESTER – Jason Pinsonnault pitched a complete-game two-hitter and Matthew Minckler and Timmy Avery combined for five hits, three runs and an RBI at the top of the order as the Portsmouth Booma Post 6 American Legion baseball team opened the Northeast Regional with a 4-0 win over South Burlington, Vermont on Wednesday at Gill Stadium. 

“The first one, in a lot of ways, is the hardest one,” Booma head coach Geoff Jabonski said. “We had nerves, everyone has nerves, and you’re facing the Vermont state champion’s best pitcher. It’s good for us to settle down, and get a win.” 

Booma will face Hudson Post 100, the Massachusetts runner-up, on Thursday at Gill Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. South Burlington will face Hampden Post 213, the Maine state champion on Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

Pinsonnault earns eighth win of the season 

Pinsonnault, who pitched a complete-game 2-1 win in the New Hampshire state championship game over Nashua Coffey Post 3, allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out five over seven innings for his eighth win of the season. Pinsonnault threw 78 pitches. 

“We had a number (of pitches) he had to stay under (80) and somehow he managed to do it in seven innings,” Jablonski said. “He threw strikes, stayed in the strike zone, and did everything he needed to do.” 

Davis Hobbs and Jack Foster each had a hit for South Burlington, while Kaiden Quinn drew a walk.

Booma strikes first

Minckler led off the game with his first of two triples off Hobbs, the South Burlington starter. Minckler, one-out later, scored on Elliot Miles’ groundout to shortstop. 

“Once again, (Minckler), got us going right away,” Jablonski said. “He gets on third base to start the game, (Miles) gets him in, it’s 1-0, and we’re playing from ahead, which helps eases the nerves.” 

Minckler had three hits in the game, and scored two runs. 

“He just sets the table for us,” Jablonski said. “He’s constantly on second or third base, always in scoring position and puts pressure on the defense, and defensively, he’s making every play at shortstop. When you have a guy on the mound who’s getting groundballs, it’s nice to know they are going to be fielded and be outs.” 

Hobbs allowed five hits and four earned runs over five innings, walking three and striking out three. Bennett Campbell pitched the final two innings, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Booma adds to lead

Booma added one run in the fourth inning, and two in the fifth. 

In the fourth, Sage Beebe-Jenny’s single scored Jake Carlisle, and in the fifth, an Avery triple scored Minckler, and Miles’ sacrifice fly to right scored Avery. 

“We’re very confident,” Minckler said. “We have an older team, and we put in as much work off the field as anyone on the field with us. We trust our abilities and everyone on this team is very confident.” 

-Editor’s Note: Seacoast Media Group sports editor Jay Pinsonnault is the father of Booma pitcher Jason Pinsonnault.