LEWISTON – There’s getting runners on and then there’s getting runners in. Sometimes the difference can be what determines a win from a loss.

The Edward Little softball team knew it was getting hitters on base in the preseason, but that production wasn’t turning into bigger and better things.

“A year ago and even in preseason, we would get runners on and we were averaging in the preseason eight to 10 runners left on base,” said EL coach Elaine Keene. “So our focus has been, when we get runners in scoring position this week, that we need to get big hits.”

The Red Eddies did just that Friday in a 14-5 win over Lewiston. EL pounded out 16 hits. The Red Eddies got at least one hit from every spot in the order and had seven different players drive in runs.

“That’s something we’ve lacked in the past,” said first baseman Kayla Cummings. “We’ve been there defensively, but we really have been working on our offense a lot and it should come even more. We’ve already played seven (preseason) games.”

Cummings had four hits and drove in five runs for EL (2-0). Megan Hussar, Emily Johnson and Jena Dubois each had a pair of hits. Dubois and Hussar also drove in a pair, while Johnson plated one run. Emily Grund, Alyssa Levesque and Becca Witten also drove in runs.

“We had runners in scoring position, and we got hits and scored them,” said Keene. “We’re starting to make the adjustments. They’re listening and taking their at-bats and knowing that they’re not the ones that necessarily have to get the hit but that we need to score the run. Sometimes they have to sacrifice themselves to get the run.”

Courtney Vallee led Lewiston (2-0) with two hits and two RBIs. Erica Morin also had a pair of hits, while Patricia Defosse had an RBI.

“The third and the fifth innings were our downfall,” said Lewiston coach Fred Royer. “Our young pitcher (Bianca Langelier) actually did pretty well for a couple innings. We came in with (Mariah) Conway (in the fourth). They’re a good ball club, and we’re still experimenting with everything.”

EL got a solid outing from Miranda Martin. She scattered seven hits and struck out nine.

“She’s worked really hard,” said Keene. “She’s trying new things that (assistant coach) Nicole (Chapman) is working with her on. She pitched some games for us last year. She’s got some experience, and now we have the confidence to help her out offensively to get her the runs she going to need.”

Lewiston got the first run of the game when Morin scored on a wild pitch, but the Blue Devils only managed one run through the next three innings.

“When I was warming up, I felt really confidence and comfortable,” said Martin. “I trust Becca (Witten), our catcher. She does a really great job. I trust her with the pitches and the signs she gives me.”

EL erased that lead in the third. Cummings had a two-run single and Hussar followed with a two-run double. Johnson then doubled in a run for a 5-1 lead.

“We just had to be confident,” said Cummings. “We know what we’re doing. We just have to execute. That’s what we focused on today.”

After Lewiston’s MacKenzie Sullivan scored on a fielder’s choice in the fifth to make it 5-2, EL broke it open with seven runs. Witten walked in a run with the bases loaded. Dubois and Levesque followed with hits that scored runs. After a two-run double by Grund, Cummings drove home another pair with a single.

Lewiston got three in the bottom of the inning with a two-run hit by Vallee and a fielder’s choice by Defosse. EL added single runs in the sixth and seventh.

“We had some good innings,” said Royer. “As a young team, we hope to get progressively better throughout the season.”