WATERVILLE — Before pitching against one of the best lineups he’s faced, Valley High School pitcher Cody Laweryson wasn’t nervous or anxious.

“I’ve done it enough times in big games so I don’t worry about it. I just take the ball and do what I can,” Laweryson said. “It’s supposed to be fun. You should have a smile on your face out there.”

Laweryson pitched two innings in Friday’s Class C/D Senior All-Star Game at Colby College. Laweryson was one of three central Maine pitchers who helped the South take a 13-1 win over the North.

Laweryson threw innings three and four, before being relieved by his cousin, Chase Malloy of Madison, in the fifth. Monmouth Academy’s Nick Sanborn pitched the ninth inning for the South.

“It’s cool to play with guys you’ve competed with for all four years, really. There’s guys you recognize because you’ve played against them, now you play with them,” Malloy said.

Sanborn agreed that playing with teammates who were opponents for so long was a highlight of the game.

“Everyone we play against, it’s fun to see them again. Even after seeing Sacopee in the playoffs, it’s always good seeing them,” Sanborn said.

For some, playing on the artificial turf at Colby was a new experience. While many artificial turf baseball fields have a natural dirt pitchers mound, the mound at Colby also is field turf. Laweryson said that wasn’t a concern.

“I didn’t realize that until I got out there. It’s a little different. You don’t really get to dig into it, which I don’t like to do, anyway. It’s nice. You don’t really have to adjust. You just throw,” Laweryson said.

Laweryson, who will pitch at the University of Maine next season, struck out five in his two innings of work, including the first hitter he faced on three pitches. Laweryson’s fastball was clocked at 87 miles per hour on Friday, a little slower than the 91 he hit in the Class D South championship game last week.

By the time Malloy took the mound, the South had a 6-0 lead. Malloy said he was relaxed as he pitched. His attitude was perfect for the laid back atmosphere of the game, which was a reward for the top players in the state. Each team’s lineup featured every member of the roster, rather than nine spots, to ensure every player got a couple of at-bats. Players routinely re-entered the game, and many played numerous positions.

“I have a good defense behind me at Madison, but it was nice knowing you have an all-star defense behind you. It was fun,” Malloy said.

Sanborn also was relaxed when his turn to pitch came in the ninth inning.

“I wasn’t worried. We had a big lead,” Sanborn said.

Laweryson and Hall-Dale’s Ryan Sinclair were finalists for the Dr. John Winkin Award, given annually to the top player in the state. Both Laweryson and Sinclair are scheduled to play for Maine in an all-star game against New Hampshire stars on Sunday in Nashua, New Hampshire. Other central Maine players on the Maine roster for that game are Oak Hill’s Dalton Therrien, and Jake Trask of Winslow.

“This game’s just a lot of fun, to play with a lot of good players and against a lot of good players. It’s just a really good time,” Laweryson said.

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM