Errors plague Shires in playoff game
Fielding errors beset the Houlton Shiretowners in their Class C preliminary game held last Tuesday at Community Park. The Shiretowners committed five errors, leading to seven unearned runs in an 11-4 loss to No. 9 Narraguagus.
“It’s tough to win any game, regardless of who is on the mound, when the defense struggles to make routine plays,” said Houlton coach Shawn Graham.
The Shiretowners grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning, as Ian Gervais led off with a base hit, followed by a walk to Levi Prosser. With one out, Porter Gervais stroked a double to knock in brother Ian. Then another double by Corey Woodworth scored Porter.
In the second inning, the game began to unwind for the Shires. ‘Guagus’ Jeremy Look drew a walk, but infield errors led to Matt Moore and Gavin Andre reaching base.
Houlton’s Ian Gervais struck out the next two batters, but the Knights responded with four straight singles from Brendan Tenney, Josh Beal, Colby Tucker and Kam Jordan. Beal and Jordan each drove in a run, while Tenney and Tucker each plated two runs with their hits to lead, 6-2.
The Knights extended their lead in the third, 8-2, after walks to Moore and Ryan Hatt led to Moore scoring on Danny Bradbury’s single and Bradbury scoring on another defensive miscue by Houlton.
The Shiretowners began to chip away at the Knights’ lead in the bottom of the frame and in the fourth inning. In the third, Porter Gervais walked and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Woodworth roped another double to score Gervais. In the fourth, Josh Harvey drilled the ball for a triple to start the inning. Porter Gervais hit a ground ball to the right side to plate Harvey.
As the rain settled in, a dismal feeling for the Shires also set in. ‘Guagus scored three more runs in the sixth, as they opened the inning with a single, followed by a walk and then back-to-back doubles sealed the win.
Ball didn’t bounce Lady Shires’ way
The Houlton Lady Shires softball team ended their season in the Class C quarterfinals in Orono last Thursday, suffering a 6-2 loss to the Red Riots.
The Lady Shires opened the scoring in the top of the third with two runs, but Orono answered with four of their own to take the lead. The game was 4-2 through the next two innings before the Red Riots plated two more runs in the bottom of the sixth for the winning margin.
“The ball just did not bounce our way,” said Houlton coach Bruce Nason. “We made a few mistakes and did not hit the ball very well. But, the kids played hard and gave it their best effort and I cannot fault them for that.”
The Lady Shires did threaten Orono when they loaded the bases, but hit the ball just inches foul and then hit the next pitch just about a foot foul.
“That could have changed the game drastically,” Nason said.
Instead, Orono held Houlton scoreless for the last four innings of the game for the win.
“I had a great group of girls,” said Nason. “Even though we may not have played well at times, but in other games, we played very well. As far as the overall year, some of the younger kids learned what it is like to play varsity softball and they will benefit from it.
“As far as my seniors, they are a great group of young ladies and I wish them nothing but the best,” he added. “They gave the program a lot of experience and helped the younger players grow up in a hurry.”
Although the team didn’t go as far in the playoffs as they would have hoped, Nason said, “We had a good year.”
Lady Eagles grounded
At Woodland last Tuesday, the Greater Houlton Christian Academy Lady Eagles were grounded, 25-0. The score was close through two innings, with the Dragons holding a 5-0 lead until they broke the game open with an 11-run third inning followed by a nine-run fourth to end the game in five innings.
The Dragons’ Shelby Bassett tossed a no-hitter, walking three and striking out 12.
The Lady Eagles finish their season at 6-10.
Woodland moved on to play Katahdin last Thursday in the Class D quarterfinals.
Lady Cougars overpowered
The Katahdin Lady Cougars knew they needed a good defensive game “with very few or no errors,” said coach Terry Duffy, and seven strong innings to beat their Class D quarterfinal opponent, Woodland. Duffy also felt the team had to play with confidence and be aggressive at bat.
The Lady Cougars had eight defensive errors and only had two hits over seven innings.
The game was close for two innings, as Woodland only had a one-run lead. But, they were too strong for the red and black, winning 11-1.
The Dragons scored five runs in the top of the third to take a 6-0 lead. Katahdin came back with a run in the fourth and were held scoreless the rest of the way. Woodland’s Shelby Bassett fanned 13 Katahdin batters and allowed no earned runs on just two hits to Katahdin’s Mariah Williams and Melissa Duffy, who each singled.
Strong showing for Lady Hawks in prelim
The Hodgdon Lady Hawks had a strong showing in last Tuesday’s Class D playoff game against No. 10 Deer Isle-Stonington. But, the sixth inning proved to be the collapse as the Lady Hawks ended up losing, 11-1.
“We played phenomenal,” said first-year Hodgdon coach Trevor Parent. “It started with our pitcher Whitney Wallace, who had a no-hitter going into the sixth, with seven strikeouts against a top-notch team.”
Outfielders Haley Quint, Dayna Tidd and Sara Fitzpatrick followed Wallace’s lead, said Parent.
“They made every play that came to them,” he said.
The Mariners threatened in the third, but Hodgdon’s Destiny Ellis came up with two defensive stops.
“It was her time to shine,” said Parent. “She made two spectacular catches.”
With the game scoreless, the Lady Hawks took a 1-0 lead in the fifth when Amanda Ryan’s hit drove in Wallace from third. But, the Mariners answered with three runs of their own in the top of the sixth to take the lead, 3-1. In the top of the seventh, Deer Isle knocked in eight runs.
“We knew we needed to hit and have a good pitching performance,” said Parent. “Again, we had the pitching, unfortunately, we left too many at bats without hits.”
The Lady Hawks were led by seniors Holly Camellari, Dayna Tidd, Sam Lycette and Taylor Hovey.
“They provided solid leadership and our success was indicative of their character,” Parent said. “The next step for this program is experience on the softball diamond. As the girls continue to commit to this sport, the potential is there to be in contention deep into the playoffs.
“The girls have truly impressed me this year and I hope the girls continue to grow not only as softball players, but as young citizens,” he added.
Warriors hold Patriots scoreless until sixth
The Southern Aroostook Warriors held a 1-0 lead until the sixth inning of last Tuesday’s Class D preliminary game against host Bangor Christian.
The Patriots scored four runs in the sixth to win, 4-1, advancing to the quarterfinal game against No. 2 Central Aroostook Panthers.
“Pat Goodall, a freshman, did very well pitching,” said SACS coach Murray Putnam. “He pitched himself out of several jams where we made a few miscues. But, the sixth inning caught up to us.”
The Patriots used two doubles and two singles to take the lead and win.
“We played a good team,” Putnam said. “We did not hit although we had a couple of chances with baserunners who had walked. But, credit the Johnson kid, who pitched well for them. Since we were not generating offense, we took a couple of chances on the bases, which didn’t work out. Sometimes, those things do, but in this case, they did not.”
Bangor Christian’s Joe Johnson pitched a strong three-hitter, striking out 14 and walking six. He backed his own cause with a single and a two-run double in the decisive sixth. Andrew Harvey also delivered a two-run single.
The Warriors scored in the first inning after Jesse Small walked, stole second and scored on Dillon Boulier’s single. Goodall struck out eight in the loss.
“We did the best we could considering all the circumstances, playing in and around injuries,” said Putnam. “It bodes well of the perseverance of those who stuck it out, and hopefully, down the road that these youngsters who made initial contributions in the freshman class will continue to do so.”
