BREWER, Maine — Often, in a softball game where two talented pitchers are dominating, it can be the little things that make the difference. Penobscot Valley executed a few at just the right time Tuesday afternoon.
The second-ranked Howlers from Howland scored three eighth-inning runs on a bases-loaded hit batter, a passed ball and a fielder’s-choice grounder to scratch out a thrilling 3-0 Class D North regional final victory over top-ranked Southern Aroostook of Dyer Brook at Coffin Field.
Those runs proved to be more than enough for Howlers freshman Leine McKechnie, who allowed only one hit while piling up 19 strikeouts and walking just one. She needed just 13 pitches to strike out the Warriors in order to close out the contest.
“She’s wise beyond her years, and she pitches like that,” said PVHS coach Pat Leonard, whose undefeated club (19-0) takes on South champ Richmond (19-0) in Saturday’s 4 p.m. state championship game at Saint Joseph’s College in Standish.
“She’s a very strong lady, so when she gets focused she has that ability to tune anything out.”
Richmond, which beat Greenville 14-6 in the South regional final, has won 88 consecutive games since falling in the 2012 state title game to the Howlers. It’s PVHS’ first regional title since 2013.
Southern Aroostook concludes the season 15-3.
Warriors sophomore Kylie Vining had an outstanding game as well, wiggling her way out of several jams, including a bases-loaded, nobody-out situation in the top of the fifth.
The County is pleased to feature content from our sister company, Bangor Daily News. To read the rest of “McKechnie pitches Penobscot Valley to ‘D’ North softball title,” an article by contributing Bangor Daily News staff writer Ryan McLaughlan, please follow this link to the BDN online.
