DYER BROOK, Maine — Stellar defense and offensive hitting prowess lifted the Southern Aroostook softball squad to an impressive 15-7 victory over No. 4 Stearns Saturday.
With the win, the No. 1 Warriors advanced to the Class D championship game against No. 2 Penobscot Valley at 3 p.m. June 13 at Coffin Field in Brewer.
In Saturday’s game, Kylie Vining scattered seven runs on seven hits, two walks and four hit batters, with 10 strikeouts. Vining helped her cause as she blasted a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth inning to break open what had been a tight game.
Warrior Katie Stevens laced four singles, while Sydney Brewer added two doubles and a single and Alexis Hartin added two singles.
For Stearns, Emma Alley and Paige Russell shared pitching duties. The two combined to allow 15 runs on 11 hits and 10 walks with one hit batter and 15 strikeouts.
“We battled a lot of things this year, like a lot of teams have to do,” said Southern Aroostook coach Rob Betschner. “We have our moments and emotions, but people forget we are really a young team. Today’s win is a great confidence boost for them.”
The Warriors have three seniors on the roster, but the bulk of the team is freshmen and sophomores.
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- Southern Aroostook second baseman Katie Stevens, left, is a split second late on this tag as Stearns baserunner Abby Russell reaches second on a steal in Saturday’s Class D North semifinal. SA won 15-7. (Joseph Cyr)
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- Laying off this high pitch is Southern Aroostook’s Emily Bubar during Saturday’s semifinal. (Joseph Cyr)
