Woodland upsets Katahdin in softball playoff matchup

3 years ago

STACYVILLE, Maine — The Woodland Dragons softball team notched an upset victory Thursday, June 10, defeating third-seeded Katahdin on their home turf 8-6 to advance to the semifinals. 

With the win, Woodland (13-3 overall) moves on to play No. 2 Stearns 3 p.m. Monday in the semifinals. The winner of that game takes on undefeated and top-ranked Ashland Wednesday, June 16 at 7 p.m. at Brewer High School. 

Katahdin ends its season with a 13-3 record.

For Woodland, the victory is a redemption from when the two teams met in the quarterfinal matchup two years ago, in which Katahdin had defeated the Dragons to advance. 

“We knew we were going up against a well-coached team and we were going to have to bring our A-game,” said Woodland coach Missy Campbell. “We are super excited to be advancing to the semifinals this year.”

The two teams scored two runs apiece in the first inning, and then each added a run again in the third to make the score 3-3. But Woodland gained a strong lead by scoring three runs in the fourth inning, giving them a lead they would never relinquish.

The Dragons offense was led by Brooke Smith, who had two doubles and two runs scored. Hannah Lockenwitz also contributed, hitting two singles and scoring two runs off of them. 

For Katahdin, the main contributors to the offense were Emma McNally, who had two singles and two runs scored, and Hunter Hartsgrove, who had a single and two runs scored. Katahdin tried to stage a comeback in the seventh inning, scoring two runs, but failed to catch up to Woodland’s lead. 

STACYVILLE, Maine — June 12, 2021 — Katahdin’s Emma McNally stands at-bat during the team’s playoff match against Woodland. (Alexander MacDougall | Staff Writer)