Houlton, Southern Aroostook fall for first time on season
As difficult as it may be to imagine, the first half of the regular season is now in the record books for several softball squads. The weather has been favorable for the most part, as most teams have not had to reschedule very many games this spring.
It was a dramatic week on the diamond, as Houlton and Southern Aroostook both fell for the first time this season. With its loss to Presque Isle last Thursday, Houlton (7-1, 18.4375 Heal Points) drops to third in the Class C North region behind No. 1 Bucksport (7-0, 27.2656) and No. 2 Narraguagus (8-0, 22.8557).
The Shires have been an offensive juggernaut for most of the season, outscoring opponents 120-29 and averaging 17 runs per game.
With its win over previously unbeaten Southern Aroostook Friday, Katahdin (4-1, 21.9898) leapfrogs over SACS to the No. 2 seed in the Class D North region. The Warriors (4-1, 20.4184) dip to third. Both squads are trailing top-ranked Stearns (6-1, 26.3839) in the standings.
Hodgdon (3-5, 10.2143) is currently eighth in Class D North, while East Grand (3-3, 5.6667) is 11th.
The following is a recap of games played through Monday.
East Grand 13 at Hodgdon 14 — At Hodgdon Monday, playing in a cold, blustery game, the Hawks snatched a dramatic late-game victory over East Grand. Hodgdon’s Kendra Gresko stole home in the bottom of the seventh inning to break a 13-13 tie.
Sidney Crane led the way for the Hawks with three singles and a three-run home run. Gresko chipped in with a single and a double.
For the Vikings, Haleigh Shay struck out five batters and had two singles. Sarah Stoddard led the Vikings offensively with three singles and a double while Kianna Cassie added two singles and a double.
Houlton 30, Lee Academy 1 — At Lee Monday, Houlton continued its torrid scoring ways, posting its second-highest run total of the season. The Shires scored 10 runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back.
Kristen Graham pitched a two-hitter, striking out six for Houlton. Graham helped her cause by scoring seven runs. Aspen Flewelling paced the offense with a triple, two doubles and a single.
For the Pandas, Kaylie Sawtelle and Lindsey Dodge each singled.
Hodgdon 0, Ashland 6 — At Ashland Saturday, the Hawks were shutout by host-Ashland. Cassidy Pelletier had two singles and two RBIs and Micayla Driscoll added two singles. Pelletier also pitched the three-hit shutout.
For Hodgdon, Sydney Crane had two singles and Lexi McGuire had one.
Houlton 15, Fort Kent 4/Houlton 31, Fort Kent 1 — Playing a doubleheader at Fort Kent Friday, the Shires rolled to lopsided victories in both games. Individual results were not reported.
In the first game, Kristen Graham allowed four runs on one hit with nine strikeouts. Emma Peterson had three hits and three RBIs, while Tyra Gentle had an inside the park homerun and two RBIs and Micky Schneider had four hits.
In the second game, Graham allowed one run on one hit and struck out seven. Peterson had five hits and two RBIs, while Gentle and Makayla Fitzpatrick both had multiple hits and four RBIs and Aspen Flewelling had three hits, including a triple.
East Grand 6, Washburn 3 — At Washburn Friday, Jen Crone had three hits to lead the Vikings, while Kianna Casey added two hits and an RBI. Washburn was paced by Grace Braley with two hits and three RBIs.
Washburn’s Liza Durette struck out nine in the losing effort. East Grand’s pitching stats were not reported.
Southern Aroostook 3, Katahdin 4 — At Stacyville Friday, Katahdin knocked off previously-unbeaten Southern Aroostook in a battle of RSU 50 schools. Katahdin rallied from a 3-0 deficit in securing the win.
Courtney Stevens scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kaycee Cintron pitched seven innings allowing three runs, scattering 12 hits.
The Warriors were paced by Kylie Vining’s four singles and Madison Cummings’ two-run double.
Presque Isle 10, Houlton 4 — At Houlton Thursday, the Shires suffered their first loss of the season. Presque Isle scored five runs in the sixth inning to secure the win for the Wildcats.
For Presque Isle, Hailey Cameron had three hits including an inside-the-park home run. Alyssa Trombley also had three hits. Taylor Williams and Jillian Flynn each added two hits.
For Houlton, Emma Peterson and Morgan Grant each had two hits
Hodgdon 17, Katahdin 18 — At Stacyville May 4, Katahdin held off a late rally by Hodgdon that saw the Hawks erase a nine-run deficit.
Katahdin’s Bailee Moody-Kay delivered a run-scoring double in the bottom of the sixth inning, which proved to be the game-winner for the Warriors. Moody-Kay also drove in four runs and Courtney Stevens contributed a triple and two singles for Katahdin.
Tianna McEwen had a double and two singles for Hodgdon.
East Grand 2, Southern Aroostook 11 — At Dyer Brook May 4, Kylie Vining pitched a one-hitter, striking out 15 to power the Warriors to victory. Kassidy Mathers added a three-run double and two singles, while Marissa Boulier added two singles and an RBI to lead SACS offensively.
For the Vikings, Sarah Stoddard broke up the no-hitter with a single in the third inning.
