FARMINGTON — If Mt. Blue (2-14) hadn’t committed four straight infield errors in the first inning, the nature of this Class A North softball game against powerhouse Skowhegan might have been different.
But the Indians weren’t concerned with “what ifs” after they scored five runs in the top of the first inning and eventually glided off with a 13-1 victory in a season finale for both teams at the University of Maine at Farmington’s Prescott Field on a damp-and-chilly Tuesday afternoon.
A rough first inning opened the door of opportunity for Skowhegan, which finished the season at an impressive 14-2. The Indians took a five-run lead with the help of the four errors and an RBI single by Julia Steeves.
“It seems that’s happened all year,” Mt. Blue coach Ron Smiths said. “It’s been five innings of great ball and then one or two innings of giving up a bundle (of runs).
“We have a spell. We have one or two innings every game. It has happened all year and it doesn’t seem to be an answer to it. A whole of ton of unearned runs this year. The pitchers threw great. We just didn’t play defense.
“You can’t give anybody four outs, especially Skowhegan.”
Starting pitcher Sydney Ames pitched four strong innings kept the Cougars from scoring before Samantha Ellis delivered Mt. Blue’s solo run in the fifth after she got on with a single, stole second and came home when the Indians tried to catch her off guard at third base.
The Indians kept pressing and scored two more runs using three timely hits in the third inning. Mariah Dunbar singled, move to third on Alyssa Everrett’s double and scored Sydney Reed’s RBI single. Everett eventually scored on a wild pitch to give the Indians a 7-0 lead.
Skowhegan scored three more runs in the fifth inning and added another three in the sixth thanks to a two-run double by Ashley Alward. The game ended after six innings when the 12-run rule was implemented.
“I don’t think any game is easy in this league,” Skowhegan coach Lee Johnson said. “I think the kids might have looked a little past Mt. Blue but no question I didn’t.
“That game didn’t mean anything as far as the standings go, I don’t believe, but it was one of those games we needed to get fired up and focused on. That (four errors) helped open the the door.
“We’ve won a lot of close games. This is a very competitive league. For us to get to the top spot in this league, it is a good accomplishment for this group. We had to beat some tough teams.”
The Indians hammered out 10 hits against Mt. Blue. Ames got the win on the mound and the Cougars’ Eleanor Decarolis was tagged with the loss. Adelle Foss came in the fourth to relieve Decarolis and tried to keep Skowhegan off balance. Reliever Ashley Alward pitched one inning for the Indians.
Mt. Blue High School honored softball teammates Kasadie Baker, Kayleigh Fontaine, Lexi Daggett and Taylor Burke during Senior Day at the University of Maine at Farmington’s Prescott Field on Tuesday.Mt. Blue first baseman Taylor Burke waits for the ball as Skowhegan’s Sydney Ames (6) races to the bag in a Class A softball game at the University of Maine at Farmington’s Prescott Field on Tuesday.Mt. Blue’s Jacelyn Daggett looks for a sign from coach Ron Smith during a Class A softball game at the University of Maine at Farmington’s Prescott Field on Tuesday.
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