POLAND – Poland softball coach Susan Robbins’ message was clear before Friday’s game against Cape Elizabeth.

“I told them you are in control of your destiny,” said Robbins. “We beat Cape today, we get all those Heal points, and we solidify our position in the playoffs.”

Don’t let anyone tell you that the Knights don’t listen to their coach. Cortney Clark drove in a pair of runs and Kelli O’Connor threw a two-hitter as Poland blanked visiting Cape Elizabeth 5-0 in WMC high school softball action.

The Capers (7-3), who entered the game with the third-best record in Western Class B in the latest Heal points, could muster little against O’Connor. Capers pitcher Ali Hendrix had both hits.

Poland (8-5) took advantage of numerous Cape errors in the first to plate two runs. Clark got it started with a single to right. She stole second, went to third on a passed ball, and scored on a wild pitch. Kasey Darnell walked and circled the bases courtesy of a wild pitch and a passed ball.

“We didn’t have a catcher,” said Cape Elizabeth coach Joe Henrikson. “And our catcher today is our second baseman. That hurt us. Those two runs scored because of passed balls and more of them set up other runs.”

Poland added single runs in each of the next three innings to add insurance.

“It was really important we started strong,” said Clark. “We needed to get people on and home. Cape is a great team and we needed to show them what Poland is really made of.”

The Capers certainly had chances, with three walks, both hits, and an error in the first three innings. O’Connor found the right pitch each time. In the first, with runners on first and second, the sophomore fanned the last two batters to escape. She did the same thing in the second with one runner on.

The third proved to be Cape Elizabeth’s biggest opportunity but again was denied. With the bases loaded and one out, O’Connor got a strikeout, then induced Whitney Legge to line to second base.

The Capers stranded six in those three innings, but only managed a pair of base runners the rest of the way.

“That was by far her best game of the year,” Robbins said of her pitcher. “One of Kelli’s strengths is that she gets better as the game goes on.”

Hendrix walked four and fanned eight. O’Connor walked three and struck out six.

In addition to Clark, Mindy Thomas had two hits – perfectly placed bunts – for Poland.

“I was real excited to pitch,” said O’Connor. “I knew it was going to be a good game and I was real excited for the competition.”