Staff Writer
ASHLAND – A defensive standoff decided the class D softball semifinal on Saturday as Ashland defended their number-one status against number-four Woodland.
Dragon pitcher Shelby Bassett struck out 14 and allowed no hits, but Whitney Flint kept in stride striking out 15 while allowing only two hits for Ashland.
“It was a great pitching matchup,” commented head coach Terry Hunter.
Still scoreless to the bottom of the seventh, the Hornets took advantage of their last ups to get around the bases.
“I said to the girls, ‘this is it. We need one more run’,” explained Hunter.
After a couple of walks and a tag out at third base, Ashland still had runners on first and second. Taylor Baker tagged home on a throwing error.
Ashland moves on to the Eastern Maine finals against Bangor Christian today at Coffin Field in Brewer at 7 p.m. The final looks to be another pitchers’ duel with Flint taking on the Patriots pitcher Jillian French, famous for her fastball.
In preparation, coaching staff have had the batters facing the pitching machine at high speeds, and members of the baseball team have come over to pitch to the girls.
Ashland baseball’s post-season run ended on Saturday against Southern Aroostook at their home diamond, 14-2.
Hornet Carl Nemer singled for Ashland before leaving the game in the second inning due to an injury. Nemer broke his leg while attempting to steal a base.
Hornet Nick Gimbel found his pitch to drive in the tenth run needed to declare Ashland the quarterfinal victors in last Thursday’s matchup with Bangor Christian. The game ended in five innings with 13-3 on the scoreboard.
The first two innings flew by as both teams took advantage of the wind picking up popflys for easy outs.
In the top of the third, the Patriots marked the scoreboard first with two runs, and keeping Ashland scoreless in the bottom of the inning.
In the fourth inning, Gimbel caught two outs and pitcher Justin Belanger struck out a batter to end BC hopes of extending their lead. With Ashland back behind the plate, Lucas Belanger smacked the ball to drive in Henry Milligan for the first run of the game. Tony Baker followed quickly with a line drive into leftfield to bring home the second runner and tie the game.
The Hornets sealed their win in the fifth inning with bases loaded while they walked and stole homeplate.
Gimbel singled twice and tallied two RBIs while Baker hit a double, single and RBI for Ashland. Jake Paradis singled and struck an RBI, and Milligan also singled.
Ashland softball’s powerhouse pitching and hitting lineup continued on the path to the Eastern Maine finals defeating Fort Fairfield in their quarterfinal game.
Mindy Chasse and Andrea Mayo both slammed a homer and singled for the Hornets. Crystal Cook doubled, singled three times and hit two RBIs. Senior Flint tallied up eight strikeouts.
Fort Fairfield’s Courtney Churchill pelted a home run, and Maryl Shaw hit two singles in the Tiger’s final game of the season.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
SHE’S OUT. Taylor Baker catches the ball to send Fort Fairfield’s Shannon Towle back to her dugout during the Eastern Maine quarterfinals last Thursday.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
THE WIND UP. Justin Belanger pitches for Ashland in their quarterfinal game against Bangor Christian last Thursday.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
SURVEYING THE SITUATION. Hornet baseball head coach Danny Cote (left) and Tyler Cote talk strategy during a time out of the quarterfinal game last week.
