Monmouth Academy’s lineup finally looked like it was supposed Wednesday. Senior pitcher Brittany Hilton made her return to action after missing most of the season with a back injury. She allowed just three hits in a 2-1 win over Madison.

“It was a good game,” said Monmouth coach Rachel Bernier. “She did well. We’re starting to work her back in.”

Hilton started the season opener but had not pitched since. Bernier was starting to think Hilton would be out even longer because a lower back injury is so vital to a pitcher’s power.

“She was tired after (Wednesday),” said Bernier. “We’re going to take it day by day and start building up her strength and get her ready for the playoffs.”

Despite Hilton’s absence, the Mustangs (8-2) have managed quite well without their ace. Senior Jill Armstrong stepped in and went 6-2 while Hilton’s sister Kristie picked up a win also. Monmouth had to juggle its lineup. Armstrong was supposed to play infield. Freshman Kristie Hilton was going to see spot pitching duty and play the outfield. Kelsi Hilton, Kristie’s twin sister, had to take Armstrong’s spot at third.

“I’m very pleased with the kids,” said Bernier. “The other kids stepped it up. It was always somebody different to step up and help us come away with the victory.”

Of course, Bernier wasn’t completely sure she’d have her lineup intact against the Bulldogs, even if Brittany Hilton was able to return.

“I didn’t know if I was going to have Jill because she’s been out with the flu,” said Bernier. “It’s been one thing after another.”

Comeback Kids

Julie Boucher didn’t like seeing her Oak Hill softball team fall behind Erskine earlier this week, but she liked what she saw out of her Raiders as a result. After 2-0 and 4-1 deficits, Oak Hill teams of the past might have called it a day, but her Raiders kept plugging away.

“They were thinking they were going to come back,” said Boucher. “We chipped away a little bit. They never got down on themselves.”

Oak Hill lost that game 4-2 and dropped another Wednesday to Winslow, 8-4. The Black Raiders opened a 5-4 lead with three runs in the bottom of the sixth.

After a 9-9 season last year and a loss in the Western B quarterfinals, Boucher is thrilled by her senior-laden team’s 7-1 start before the back-to-back losses this week. The Raiders were eighth in the last Western B standings.

“This team is fantastic,” said Boucher. “They have a great attitude. They have a very aggressive offense. The whole lineup seems to be pretty solid. There’s been great pitching. Britt (Wood) has done a great job, and Lauren (Hall) has done a great job. I’m pleased with this team.”

Young Saints

St. Dom’s may already be a team to watch in Western C, but the Saints’ promise may last longer than just this spring. St. Dom’s, which was ranked second in Western C this week, has just two seniors in the starting lineup. After losing a handful of key starters from last year’s club, the Saints will only graduate outfielder Danielle Guerin and third baseman Alex Hewitt.

“Except for (Hewitt), my whole infield is coming back,” said Saints coach Brian Kay. “My second baseman (Alex Landry) is a sophomore and (Erynne Landry) at first is a junior. My catcher (Kelsey Murphy) is a junior. The outfield is two sophomores (Lindsey Nance and Heidi Nadeau) and (Guerin).”

By The Numbers

The Dirigo-Mountain Valley game last week was a scorekeeper’s nightmare. The two teams combined for 36 runs, 26 hits and seven errors in the Falcon’s 23-13 win. The game featured five pitching changes between the two teams, including Mountain Valley starter Shelby Moore leaving the mound after an injury only to return later in the game. Lindsay Gallant and Christie Folsom led the Falcon barrage with three hits each. Moore and Emily Davis each had a pair. Dirigo got three hits from Morgan Hutchins and two from Katrina Pulk.