DIXFIELD – Dirigo’s Dani Thompkins scored two runs, including the eventual game-winner in the third inning and Abby Fenstermacher pitched a five-hit, complete game as the Cougars raced off with a 8-3 win against arch-rival Mountain Valley at Marble Park on Friday.
Dirigo (3-7) has now won two straight games for the first time in recent years and also has recorded three wins during the season. The Cougars went winless in 2004.
Dirigo utilized some alert baserunning, and received a solid defensive effort by third baseman Michelle Holmquist, shortstop Katie Hutchinson and Megan Russell in center field.
“This feels awesome,” Dirigo senior Kaylie Daley said. “The team played well and made the plays that we had to make. (Wednesday) against Winthrop we took advantage of their mistakes, but today we stole bases and made things happen.”
Mountain Valley starter Abby Mills had breezed through the first eight batters, however, things unraveled quickly. Daley and Fenstermacher each drew walks, and Holmquist delivered a two-run triple. Thompkins notched an RBI single and later scored on a passed ball.
“It was a pitchers’ duel early on,” Dirigo coach Bob Karcher said. “I was glad to see us get lead in the third. But, we also threatened to put things away in the fourth. They turned in a double play from the outfield.”
Mountain Valley (2-7) had threatened to get back in the game by scoring two runs in the fifth. Kelly Palmer singled in Katlin Drury and Sam Blood slid home under the tag of catcher Brit Palmer. The Falcons’ rally was derailed when Fenstermacher picked Palmer off third base.
Dirigo answered back with three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Thompkins scored on a wild pitch again and then two more runners raced home when the ball rolled away.
Mallory Thurston (two-for-three) hit a solo home run for the Falcons and Mills had two singles.
“Mountain Valley and Dirigo are two equal teams,” Karcher said. “I’m glad we played them at home and not on the road.”
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