LISBON FALLS – Erica Merritt missed out on Lisbon’s hit parade in its first two softball games last week, but the senior outfielder got her swings in Monday.

Merritt had three hits and drove in four runs in a convincing 22-2 win over Boothbay.

“She got hit in the ankle during preseason,” said Lisbon coach Mike Fortier. “So she had been out the first two games. She’s one of our seniors and stronger players. We need her in the lineup.”

Christy McAuliffe also drove in four runs with three hits while Soleil Mathieu drove in three with three hits.

“We thought (the offense) might be iffy because we’re a young team, but we’ve done good,” said Merritt. “We’ve stepped up.”

The Greyhounds have now produced 79 runs in three games and 48 hits. They beat Wiscasset 38-3 and Hall-Dale 19-8.

“I knew we had the potential to be a very good hitting team,” said Fortier. “During preseason, we didn’t hit the ball great. We had a few girls that hit the ball solid. The first few games, everybody has been hitting the ball hard. A lot of them are getting on bases. Some of them are fielded balls, but they’re still hitting the ball hard.”

Lisbon scored 10 runs in the first inning against a Boothbay team making its debut. The Greyhounds sent 14 batters to the plate.

Siohban Riordan scored four runs, while Emily Moore, Mathieu and Merritt each scored three. Every player in the Greyhound starting lineup either had a hit or drove in a run.

“I’ve been very pleased with how we’ve been hitting the ball,” said Fortier.

The offense took the pressure off the Greyhound’s pitching and defense Monday, but Lisbon was solid in that regard as well. Pitcher Vickie Osmond allowed just three hits and walked three for her third win, and the Greyhounds made just two errors in the field.

Two of the Seahawks’ hits came in the first inning when Boothbay built a 2-0 lead, but Lisbon quickly responded. Riordan started the bottom of the inning with a home run to left. Mathieu, McAuliffe, Sam Purcell and Moore each drove in runs while Merritt added a two-run single.

“We have a couple of freshmen that are doing awesome,” said Merritt. “Everyone’s getting good hits. That’s what we need to score.”

Merritt drove in another pair in the second, then scored on an error. Riordan then scored on a McAuliffe sacrifice fly for a 14-2 lead.

In the third, Kristen Laffely had a two-run homer and Mathieu tripled home another run. She later scored on a McAuliffe single. McAuliffe added a run-scoring double in the fourth.

“Hopefully we can continue it throughout the whole season,” said Merritt.


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