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AUBURN — For many pitchers, tallying double-digit strikeouts in a game would be a season-defining feat.
Not Kyeria Morse.
For the Oxford Hills senior, that type of dominance on the mound has become a regular occurrence.
She struck out 15 batters — the third time this season she’s had 15 or more — to help the Vikings to a 4-3 softball victory over a fellow Class A North contender Edward Little on Tuesday.
Morse has been rounding into form throughout the season.
“I had knee surgery, so that was coming back from all that, too, just pushing through,” said Morse. “So I’ve been trying to get faster and faster and push through, so I’ve been working harder.”
The Red Eddies had the tying run at third base with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Morse, however, was able to end the threat with her 15th strikeout, giving Oxford Hills (12-2) its second win of the season over Edward Little (9-5).
Oxford Hills is ranked No. 4 in the Varsity Maine Top 10.
“I think (Morse) has matured this year and is able to not get really rattled with people on (base),” Oxford Hills coach Cindy Goddard said. “I think she realizes that she can probably do some striking out so that she can take care of the inning. Before, in the past, she might have got a little more rattled and might have thrown more balls, but I think when it comes right down to it, she can bear down, and at this point has been able to take care of business.”
How it happened
• The Vikings struck early, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning, thanks to RBI doubles from Karyssa Morse and Atalie Campbell and an RBI single by Natasha Child. Kyeria Morse struck out the side in the bottom of the first.
• An expected duel between two of Class A North’s best pitchers ended early, as Edward Little’s Chloe LeBlanc was replaced by Emily Poulin after only six batters. Poulin held the Vikings scoreless until the top of the seventh, when they scored their fourth run.
• Edward Little had the bases loaded several times but was only able to produce two runs in the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom of the seventh, the Red Eddies scored once and had the potential tying run at third base before Kyeria Morse squelched the comeback bid.
Heard it here first
• “We know that we’re really kind of gearing up. We have Skowhegan and Mt. Ararat left (in our schedule) and really going to try to finish on our best note if we can. We still have some work to do.” — Oxford Hills coach Cindy Goddard
• “Focus on the little things, remember what our strengths are and build off what our strengths are every day. And just continuing to battle.” — Edward Little coach Elaine Derosby
Statistical leaders
• Oxford Hills: Kyeria Morse (15 strikeouts), Samantha McPhail (3 for 4, RBI, run), Natasha Child (2 for 3, RBI)
• Edward Little: Lauren Bolduc (2 for 4), Chloe LeBlanc (1 for 4, RBI)
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