WALES – Before Monday’s game, Julie Boucher sat her team down and gave it to them straight.

After losing to Maranacook last Thursday, the Oak Hill softball team was looking to bounce back in a big way and Belfast offered the Raiders that opportunity.

“We said how important this game was and how pivotal it was to the whole playoff picture and to our confidence,” said Boucher. “They really pulled through.”

Julie Lizotte pitched a three-hitter and struck out 13 batters to help lift the Raiders to a decisive 8-1 win over the Lions.

“It’s a pretty big win,” said Lizotte. “Knowing that they beat Maranacook, and we lost to them. They were 6-3. So it was a pivotal game for us.”

Both teams were ranked third in their respective Class B standings, Belfast (6-4) in the East and Oak Hill (8-2) in the West.

It was the second time this season, Lizotte had beaten the Lions. She pitched a four-hitter in a 3-2 win earlier in the year.

“Basically the pitches that struck them out in the last game are the same ones,” said Lizotte.

The Raiders built a 3-0 lead in the second and rode Lizotte’s pitching and an errorless defensive effort. Belfast mistakes and aggressive work on the bases led to the Raiders’ quick lead.

Emily Grondin drove in the first run with a sacrifice bunt. Then a passed ball allowed Ashley Malinowski and Lizotte to score.

“They were just real heads up on the bases,” said Boucher. “Stolen bases, passed balls, everything – I thought they did a fantastic job.”

That would be all Lizotte would need. She didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning. At one point, she K’d six consecutive batters. She also had two hits as did her sister, Jill.

“It’s a weight off my shoulders knowing that I can just go out there and pitch, knowing that we’re ahead and the team’s doing well,” said Lizotte.

The Raiders made it 4-0 in the third on a Magan Blais fielder’s choice. In the fifth, Kristen Eaton and Malinowski each brought in runs on a fielder’s choice.

Belfast’s first hit was a Lauren Overlock single in the fifth. The Lions got their lone run in the sixth with an RBI double by Britt Reed. The Raiders added two more in the bottom of the inning when Ashley Cyr scored on an error and Blais singled in Jill Lizotte.

“Hopefully, this sets the tone and shows them the level they need to play at without making errors, hitting the ball and being aggressive on the bases,” said Boucher. “That’s what it takes to beat a quality team.”

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