There were no complaints after Friday’s first-inning parade against Lewiston.

EL banged out nine runs on eight hits to overcome an early two-run deficit and cruise to a 17-5 KVAC victory in five innings at Sweetser Field.

“We’ve struggled for three games to hit the ball hard,” EL coach Elaine Derosby said. “Against Messalonskee we had eight hits, and against Skowhegan we had five, and they were dribblers. They were little hits. We really talked after (Thursday’s) game that we need to come out and we need to hit the ball hard.”

Calli Murray had two hits in the opening frame — a bunt single and a resounding triple to the right field corner. Both drove in a run.

Emily Schario also had a two-run single to help provide her own breathing room in the pitching circle. Danielle Rock, Hanna Farrington, Brooke Reynolds and Kennedy Hubbard each added an RBI.

“We were coming off a good game yesterday, and yeah, that first inning just took care of us,” Lewiston coach Erica Crowley said.

Farrington was 4-for-4 and scored a pair of runs for EL (9-6). Murray and Hubbard each went 3-for-4, combining to score four runs and drive in five.

EL pounded out 16 hits. The last, a triple by Kory Norcross in the fifth, plated Jordyn Reynolds and Schario to invoke the mercy rule.

Schario, Hubbard, Norcross, Farrington, Rock and Danielle Cote all are seniors who were appearing in their final home game.

“It was huge. This is the most dedicated class as a group that I’ve had,” Derosby said. “They wanted this. They had to sit in cars for half an hour for a lightning delay. They came out and wanted to show what they were made of.”

Coming off an injury, Schario was making her first start in three weeks. Lewiston (1-13) took advantage, making consistent contact and producing two runs in the top of the first.

Maegan Mathon led off with a single andf stole second. Sami Rioux reached base after two EL outfielders collided in pursuit of her fly ball.

Maggie Phelan’s single and Courtney Marquis’ slow roller to Schario produced the runs.

“We were aggressive in the first inning, ran the bases well, so hopefully we can carry this over,” Crowley said. “They put forth so much effort. They’ve come really far. They work really hard and don’t let things get the down. We do a really good job of keeping our spirits up.”

Schario stranded three Lewiston runners in the second, and Farrington’s leadoff single set the table for two more EL runs and an 11-2 lead in the bottom of the inning. Brooke Reynolds’ double knocked in Farrington. Schario’s sacrifice fly in foul territory scored Sarah Hammond.

Lauren Belleau’s chopper in front of the plate and a Sami Rioux sacrifice fly produced runs in the Lewiston fourth. EL answered with four, with a wall double by Jordyn Reynolds preceding RBIs from Norcross, Hubbard and Murray.

“We needed to look for doubles and look for hard hits,” Derosby said. “They did that today. They came in very confident. They came in supporting Emily.”

Schario worked around four wild pitches, scattering four hits. Phelan was 2-for-3 to lead the Blue Devils.

Makayla Girouard went the distance for Lewiston.

“We lost 4-0 to Messalonskee, and defensively that was good for us,” Crowley said. “We were hoping that would drive over, but they just kept coming up with the hits. She wasn’t walking too many. They hit the ball very well.”

Copy the Story Link