RUMFORD — On an evening honoring Debbie Buotte, the Mountain Valley High School softball team lost 6-2 to unbeaten Dirigo High School in a late afternoon contest played on Memorial Day, May 25.

On the back of the Lady Falcon jerseys, above the players’ numbers, was the tribute “In loving memory of Debbie Buotte.”

A devoted supporter of all things Mountain Valley, Buotte lost her second battle with acute myeloid leukemia in March.

With both teams lined up along the foul lines, Mountain Valley Assistant Coach Abby Thornton read her tribute to Buotte.

“Debbie always brought her love for sports, and especially her competitiveness when it came to a Mountain Valley versus Dirigo game. Whether she was sitting in the stands, or keeping a game book, she always found a way to cheer us on and support both teams,” she said.

According to her obituary, Buotte started an office job in 2003 that would be the most rewarding and happy place for her — at Mountain Valley High School. She loved everything about her job, but most importantly, she loved the kids.

Buotte was a proud supporter of Dirigo as well, always cheering on her granddaughter, an athlete for the Dixfield school.

“Rivals games have had a different meaning for Debbie, watching her granddaughter Madisyn’s teams be successful was just another thing Debbie was so proud of,” Thornton said. “However, she still would always put her Mountain Valley jacket over her Dirigo shirt.”

In the game, the Cougars jumped out to the lead in the top of the first inning after Nikole Turnbull doubled, scoring one run, and Abby Luczynski followed with a two-run homer to left centerfield.

A double by Madisyn Bradeen and a walk by Turnbull helped Dirigo’s girls extend their lead in the second.

Leah Turnbull earned the complete-game win for the Cougars, scattering 10 hits, striking out eight and walking one.

Addison Libby took the loss for Mountain Valley, giving up four earned runs on seven hits, striking out five and walking three.

Addison Tidswell led Mountain Valley with three hits. Tidswell and Isabella Dupuis each drove in one run for the Falcons. Hayden Chase collected two hits for the Falcons.

Both Turnbulls and Bradeen collected two hits for 12-0 Dirigo, with Bradeen and Luczynski each driving in two runs. The Cougars turned one double play in the game, and were sure-handed, committing no errors. Xandria Libby made the most plays with nine.

“Today we play for Debbie, a game that she would have been talking about for weeks,” Thornton said. “She would be so proud to share the success of both teams and would certainly be cheering these girls on as loud as she could.”