Lincoln Academy’s softball team opened their KVAC season with a 6-1 win over defending East B champions Medomak Valley in Newcastle on April 23. Amelia Pennington collected the win (6K,1B,4H) for the Eagles.
The Lady Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning when Alanna Vose singled, stole second, went to third when Kayla Santheson reached on an error and scored on a Kasey Benner sacrifice. Lincoln shut them down defensively after that, and rallied in late innings for the win.
Medomak held the lead for three innings before Lincoln scored two runs in the bottom of the 4th. Pennington singled, moved over on a Stephanie Oliver bunt and error, and both scored on a Laura Soohey double. The Eagles added three runs in the 5th. Kiana Santos walked, Marni Jones reached on a bunt error, and both moved over on a Kassie Lincoln sacrifice and scored on a Pennington single. Soohey drove home Pennington with a double. The Eagles added their sixth run in the 6th inning when Katherine Bolster singled and scored on a throwing error on a ball put in play by Santos.
Kayla Santheson took the loss for Medomak (8K,1B,5H).
Medomak left seven base runners stranded to Lincoln’s three.
Hitting for the Eagles were Soohey with 2 doubles, Pennington 2 singles and Bolster a single. Hitting for Medomak were Miranda Conary a double, and Vose, Santheson and Benner with a single each.
“It was a lot of fun. I love the game. The girls put up a great effort and worked well together,” Lincoln coach Katie Mainville said.
“We made a lot of errors. Lincoln had timely hits and made the plays they needed to make,” Medomak coach Richard Vannah said.
Kayla Santheson collected the win (4H,6K,0B). Victoria Overlock took the loss for Belfast (2H,12K,1B,1HP).
Medomak took a 1-0 lead in the 4th when Kasey Benner singled, moved to third on a Lindsay Ranquist sacrifice and scored on a wild pitch. The Panthers added two runs in the 6th to take a 3-0 lead. Alanna Vose reached on an error, Mallory Conary singled and both moved up on a double steal. Santheson and Benner drove in a run each on fielder’s choices.
Belfast challenged in the top of the 7th when they strung together three hits from Hayley Rae, Morgan Mansfield and Victoria Overlock (2RBI). Santheson struck out the Lions’ number four power hitter, forced a ground out, then Heidi Obuchon caught a fly ball in center field to end the game.
Vanessa Davis in right field provided the defensive highlights of the game with two double plays.
Hitting for Medomak were Benner and Conary with a single each. Also hitting for Belfast was Carline Carr with a single.
Lincoln jumped out to a 1-0 1st inning lead when Stephanie Oliver reached on an error, moved over on a Pennington bunt and scored on a Laura Soohey triple.
Winslow took the lead in the bottom of the 3rd on a two run double from Vigue. Lincoln knotted the score in the 4th. Pennington doubled and scored on a Katherine Bolster single. The Eagles plated two runs in the top of the 5th to take the lead. Oliver and Pennington doubled and both scored on a Soohey double.
Winslow scored two in the bottom of the 7th to tie the score and force an extra inning. The Raiders took advantage of two walks and a two run error to right field hit by Fowler.
Katherine Bolster smashed a triple in the top of the 8th and drew the throw to the plate. Winslow committed an error on the play, allowing Bolster to score for the winning run.
“They are a really good team, very solid defensively,” coach Katie Mainville said of Winslow. “We definitely didn’t hang our heads when it got tough. We met the challenge and pulled out a win.”
Hitting for Lincoln were Pennington with two doubles and a single, Soohey a triple and double, Bolster a triple and single, Marni Jones two singles, Olivia Osbourne a double and Oliver a single. Hitting for Winslow were Vigue with a double and Riordan, Bernard and Ponerland a single each.
