It is getting down to crunch time for softball teams on the diamond as the regular season rapidly winds to a close. It has been a great spring for softball, as four of the five local squads are playoff bound.
The regular season ends Wednesday, May 31, followed by preliminary playoffs on June 6, quarterfinals on June 8, and regional finals June 10. State championship games are slated for June 13-14.
Houlton sports a solid 7-4 record and is currently in sixth place in Class C North. The Shires appear to be headed for a preliminary playoff game. If that happens, Houlton would likely host a prelim game.
The Class D North standings have seen a swap at the top as Southern Aroostook (8-2) has overtaken Hodgdon (9-3) as the top-ranked team. That switch came after SA defeated Hodgdon on the softball diamond Monday. The Hawks are now ranked second in the region.
Close behind those two teams is East Grand, with a 7-3 record. The Vikings are currently fifth in the region and are assured a spot in the upcoming playoffs. Katahdin (2-8) is 15th and not presently in the postseason mix. The Cougars could still sneak back up to the 13th and final playoff spot, but would have to secure at least a couple of more victories in their final four games against Schenck and Penobscot Valley and a doubleheader with Bangor Christian.
The following is a recap of games played through Monday.
Southern Aroostook 25, Hodgdon 4 — At Hodgdon Monday, Kylie Vining hit two doubles, a single and a triple, while Makaelyn Porter homered, tripled and singled to lead the Warriors over Hodgdon in a battle of the top two teams in Class D North.
For Hodgdon, Sidney Crane and Kora Lambert both doubled.
Houlton 8, Limestone-MSSM 7 — At Limestone Saturday, the Shires snapped Limestone’s 6-game winning streak with the one-run victory. Aspen Flewelling collected a double, two singles and two RBIs as Houlton prevailed. Emma Peterson drove in two runs with a double for Houlton.
For Limestone, Taylor Labreck, Victoria Eichorn and Stephanie Bragg each drove in two runs.
East Grand 6, Fort Fairfield 1 — At Fort Fairfield Saturday, the Vikings picked up the win over the winless Beavers. Individual results were not reported.
Southern Aroostook 9, Madawaska 0 — At Dyer Brook in the first game of a doubleheader, Vining struck out 10 and walked just one to help the Warriors to the shutout. She aided her cause with two hits — a double and single.
Porter chipped in with four singles, a double and an RBI for the Warriors while Taylor Libby added three singles, a double and four RBIs.
Emily Boucher, Megan Roy and Keri Hebert each singled for the Owls.
Madawaska 16, Southern Aroostook 13 — At Dyer Brook, Desiree Belanger and Jenna Dugal each recorded three singles and three RBIs to lead the Owls by the Warriors in the second game of a doubleheader.
Hannah Nadeau chipped in with three singles, a double and two RBIs for the Owls.
Sydney Brewer paced SACS with a double, three singles and three RBIs while Taylor Libby contributed three singles and three RBIs.
Southern Aroostook 12, Katahdin 0 — At Stacyville Thursday, the Warriors blanked Katahdin in a six-inning game by bashing 18 hits. Vining was masterful inside the pitcher’s circle as she tossed the no-hitter, with two walks and 14 strikeouts.
Lilly Cullen and Josie Brownlee shared pitching duties for Katahdin as the two combined for three strikeouts.
Leading the Warrior hit parade with three hits each were Vining (triple, double, single), Brewer (3 doubles), and Marissa Boulier (double, 2 singles).
Delivering a pitch to the plate is East Grand’s Hayliegh Shay during Wednesday’s game against Hodgdon.
(Joseph Cyr)
East Grand 5, Hodgdon 3 — At Hodgdon Wednesday, East Grand pulled off the upset as Vikings Mallory Gilman and Faith Lindsey both singled twice to help lift their team to victory. Jordyn Cowger also doubled for the Vikings.
Crane paced Hodgdon with a triple, while Kora Lambert added a double.
Caribou 11, Houlton 9 — At Houlton Wednesday, Caribou plated three runs in the top of the seventh inning and held off the Shires in the bottom of the seventh to secure the come-from-behind victory. Emily Adler paced Caribou with three hits. Hollie McDougal contributed two more hits.
For Houlton, Aspen Flewelling, Mikayla Fitzpatrick and Tyra Gentle each recorded two hits.
Stearns 19, Katahdin 4 — At Stacyville Wednesday, Audrey Dunstan compiled three hits, including a homerun, and drove in two runs. Paige Russell belted two homers and drove in three runs as Stearns (6-2) defeated Katahdin (2-7).
Hodgdon first baseman Hannah Elland prepares to catch the relay throw as East Grand runner Kianna Caissie heads to the base during a May 17 game in Hodgdon. East Grand won 5-3.
(Joseph Cyr)
Southern Aroostook 15, East Grand 2 — At Dyer Brook Tuesday, SACS pitcher Vining struck out 15 and yielded no walks as the Warriors improved to 5-1 with the win over East Grand. The Vikings drop to 4-3 on the season.
Vining aided her cause with a grand slam and solo homer. Makaelyn Porter chipped in with two singles and a double for two RBIs. Katie Stevens contributed three singles.
Hayliegh Shay doubled, singled and drove in a run for East Grand, while Jennifer Crone chipped in with a single and RBI.
