BUCKFIELD – North Yarmouth Academy exploded for five consecutive hits in the seventh inning Friday to break a deadlock and score three runs as the Panthers posted a 9-7 upset victory over top-ranked Buckfield in the semifinals of the Western Class D softball playoffs.

The Bucks (12-4) jumped out to a 6-0 lead after two innings, but the Panthers (4-11) responded with four runs in the top of the third. Grace Hyndman came on in relief in the fourth and held the Bucks to a single run in the final inning to notch the win.

Deanna Lavoie hit a double for the only extra base hit for the Bucks. Desiree Brackett suffered the pitching loss.

NYA, which tied the game with a pair of runs in the sixth inning, has won as many games in the playoffs (two) as it had in the regular season.