REGION — Team Gauss, a North Middlesex entry in the Leominster Babe Ruth Division II League, won the 2009 championship by winning all four of its playoff games. The boys from Pepperell and Townsend swept the final two game series over a tough ABM team of Leominster.
Team Gauss was one of three teams from North Middlesex.
“We sponsored ourselves and called ourself Gauss, after Karl Frederick Gauss, who is the greatest mathematician of all time and is a symbol of excellence and achievement,” said Team Gauss manager Jim Canning.
Team Gauss posted a convincing 7-1 victory in the opener of the final series before finishing things off with a 6-4 nail-biter.
In the first game, Team Gauss pitcher Brandon Cole tossed a route-going three-hitter, striking out 12 and walking only two.
Team Gauss’ offense complemented the superb work from Cole by crushing the ball as they generated ten hits.
Josh Mihill set the tone with a two-run homer in the first inning, and also chipped in with a double. Chris Canning and Justin Roberts each added a pair of hits.
In the clincher, Roberts earned the win on the mound with a complete game effort, striking out nine.
Cam Gouldrup led the 14-hit offensive attack with a double and three singles. Mihill and Roberts each added a single and double, while Mark Canning chipped in with a pair of singles.
Defensively, catcher Chris Canning short-circuited the opposing running game by gunning down three would-be basestealers at second base.
North Middlesex advanced to the finals with decisive wins over Precision Resources of Leominster (9-2) and Donoghue Limo of Leominster (16-4). Mihill was the offensive star as he collected a home run, four doubles and three singles in the playoffs.
“Alll the boys worked very hard during the off-season to improve their individual skills, particularly their approach to hitting,” said Jim Canning. “Our strategy is to drive the ball over the infielders with solid and consistent contact. We try to square up the ball with a little lift. This was demonstrated throughout the four game playoffs as we outscored our opponents 38-11 on 46 total hits. The boys from Pepperell and Townsend can hit a baseball.”
This is the team’s second consecutive league championship.
