HODGDON, Maine — Hodgdon’s pitching duo of Sadie Thompson and Marissa Dow combined to toss a no-hitter in Tuesday’s Class D North preliminary playoff against Central Aroostook.
Thompson and Dow allowed just three walks, while striking out seven to lift Hodgdon to a 15-1 victory over No. 14 Central Aroostook in a five-inning contest shortened via the mercy rule.
Central Aroostook assistant coach Caitlyn Harris speaks to her team during a break in the action of Tuesday afternoon’s Class D North preliminary playoff against Hodgdon. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
With the victory, No. 3 Hodgdon (13-2 overall) advances to the Class D North quarterfinals where the Hawks will host No. 6 Southern Aroostook Thursday at 1 p.m. The Warriors (10-5) advanced with a 24-14 victory over No. 11 Jonesport-Beals.
In Tuesday’s game against No. 14 Central Aroostook, the Hawks came out firing in the bottom of the first inning, plating nine runs. The Hawks showed plenty of speed on the bases, capitalizing on fielding errors to turn singles into bases-clearing runs.
Tossing a pitch to the plate is Central Aroostook’s Anna Kilcollins during Tuesday’s Class D North prelim against Hodgdon. The Panthers fell 15-1. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
“We have stressed fundamentals since Day 1,” Hodgdon coach Mark Faulkingham said. “I am blessed to have a really deep team. We can go 11 deep. The girls know what to do with the ball when they field it. This team always has each other’s backs.”
Meghan Peters scored three runs to lead Hodgdon. Thompson helped her cause with an inside the park home run off a blast to center field in the first inning.
Central Aroostook second baseman Riley Prince (left) lunges to tag Hodgdon’s Meghan Peters on a steal attempt during Tuesday’s Class D North prelim. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
“Central Aroostook has improved immensely from the first time we played them,” Faulkingham said.
The lone run for the Panthers came in the fourth inning when Izabel Pryor drew a lead-off walk, stole second and moved to third on a fielder’s choice. She scored when MacKenzie Honeycutt reached on an error.
Anna Kilcollins pitched the loss for Central Aroostook, scattering 15 runs on 12 hits and two walks. The Panthers end their season with a 3-12 overall record.
Getting ready to take off for second base is Central Aroostook’s Izabel Pryor (right) as Hodgdon first baseman Delaney Little looks to the plate during Tuesday’s Class D North prelim. Hodgdon won 15-1. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
