RUMFORD — Hitting out of the designated-player flex position, Mountain Valley’s Jordan Duguay found herself facing a bases loaded at bat in the fourth inning of Wednesday’s Mountain Valley Conference softball game with rival Dirigo.

It was Senior Day for the Falcons (8-7), who were in need of a win to have a chance of securing a Class B South playoff spot, and Duguay knew exactly what she wanted to do.

“All I could think about was getting a hit for the seniors,” she said. “I was anxious and really nervous, especially when it got to a full count.”

Duguay certainly didn’t disappoint, driving a long fly ball to the base of the left centerfield fence for a two RBI double, that eventually provided the winning runs in a 3-2 victory over Dirigo (6-9).

“I saw those seniors on base and I knew I couldn’t let them down,” she added.

Both teams were exceptional on defense turning in a high level of play under pressure-filled situations

“We really executed well in the field,” Dirigo coach Sara Thurston said. “There were a whole lot of things we did well, that will help us in the playoffs.”

Rain and Dirigo’s patience at the plate provided the Cougars with a big opportunity in the fifth inning when Mountain Valley pitcher, Emily Laubauskas walked three batters but struck out two. Laubauskas nearly made it out of the inning unscathed when Mariah Lafleur hit a two-run RBI double to cut the Falcons lead to 3-2.

“I came into the game thinking I wasn’t going to get ahead of myself,” Laubauskas said. “I wanted to keep level headed.”

Laubauskus induced an infield ground ball to end the inning and went on to retire six of the final seven batters she faced to earn the win.

“Defensively, we did really well,” she said. “We kept the ball in front of us and made the plays.”

Mountain Valley took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Laubauskus lead-off with a bunt single, advanced to second on Abby Mazza’s sacrifice bunt and scored on Karen Flaherty’s RBI single to right.

Flaherty finished with a pair of singles for the Falcons while Lueder’s belted two singles for the Cougars.

Laubauskus finished the game, recording six strikeouts and giving up eight walks. Dirigo pitcher Katelyn Olsen managed two strike outs, while walking one.

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