Softball: Morgan Willis’ gem helps Messalonskee cruise past Lewiston

LEWISTON — Morgan Willis was in a groove.

The Messalonskee starter pitched a gem, striking out 14 in the Eagles’ 14-0 five-inning win over eighth-seeded Lewiston in a Class A North first-round playoff softball game Tuesday.

The ninth-seeded Eagles (6-11) next take on top-seeded Brunswick (15-1) in the quarterfinals.

Fourteen of the Messalonskee defense’s 15 outs were Willis strikeouts.

The junior said she relied heavily on her curve ball.

“Definitely how much it moved off the plate,” Willis said. “They really couldn’t touch it.”

Lewiston coach Ryan Cormier said Willis was unhittable.

“The way Morgan was pitching today, she was lights out,” Cormier said. “Any team going up against her today, she would have done the same thing against them.”

Messalonskee took control with a big third inning. Jordan Lambert started the onslaught with a two-run inside-the-park home run that gave the Eagles a 4-0 lead.

“It was a 3-and-1 (count), and I was expecting that perfect pitch,” Lambert said. “I took the opportunity.”

The homer is Lambert’s third of the year.

Messalonskee’s third inning also consisted of two-run singles by Elise McDonald Willis and Audrey Mihm. The Eagles plated 12 runs in the frame, turning a 2-0 lead into a 14-0 cushion.

“I think they just got up there and tried to hit the ball and tried to not overthink it too much, try not to get into their own heads,” Messalonskee coach Samantha Tunningley said. “I think it worked out well for them.”

Messalonskee beat Mt. Blue 18-0 on June 1. In that game, the most runs the Eagles scored in an inning was five.

Lambert said Messalonskee is gelling at the right time.

“I think the team chemistry has improved so much that we are all having fun, so we can play more relaxed,” Lambert said. “We have been hitting really well recently.”

Lewiston (6-11) finally got to Willis a little in the bottom of the fourth, when Charlotte Cloutier beat out a throw from the shortstop for a infield single, then took second as the throw went past the first baseman. Isabelle Miller also drew a walk in the inning. But Willis settled down and struck out Brooklyn Mynahan, her 11th strikeout of the game, to end the inning.

“Our girls went out and battled. They never gave up,” Cormier said. “They battled, they did everything we asked of them — that’s all you can ask for.”