Fourth seed Lincoln Academy softball team lost a 5-4 nine-inning heartbreaker to undefeated and top ranked Fryeburg Academy June 11 in the West Class B semifinals. The Lady Eagles led three times in the game, including by two runs in the top of the 8th inning, but Fryeburg found a way to come back and tie, and eventually win in the 9th inning.
“Alls we needed was a few outs in the bottom of the 8th and we didn’t get them,” a disappointed coach Katie Nicholls said.
Amelia Pennington took the loss (9I, 6K, 10H, 0B) and Sarah Harriman collected the win (9I, 8K, 2B, 8H). “Amelia has had a really great year,” Nicholls said. Pennington had an ERA of 1.3, struck out 120 batters in 112 innings, and had a walk per game average of under one. “She had just four walks all year,” Nicholls said.
The Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the 3rd inning when Pennington singled and scored on a Laura Soohey double. Fryeburg was quick to tie, scoring in the home half of the 3rd on a Carissa Watkins double and Brie Pelky single.
Lincoln regained the lead in the 5th. Marni Jones reached on an error, moved over on a Soohey sacrifice fly and scored when Bolster reached on a dropped third strike. As the catcher chased Bolster down the first base line, Jones sped around the bases and scored.
Fryeburg knotted the score in the 6th on a Charlotte Lewis double and Michelle Raspoe RBI double. After a scoreless 7th inning, the two teams went into extra innings.
Lincoln rallied for two runs in the top of the 8th. Shania Creamer and Tara Gauntt singled, moved over on a sacrifice bunt from Kianna Santos, and scored on a Pennington triple.
With two outs in the bottom of the 8th, Lincoln had Fryeburg on the ropes. The Eagles fell apart defensively, with two outfield errors, and Fryeburg capitalized. Watkins reached on an error and scored with Sarah Harriman reached on an error. Rascoe hit her second double of the game to drive in the tying run.
Fryeburg scored the game winner in the 9th. Brie Pelkie and Carla Tripp singled, to set up a game winning sacrifice fly to Maddie Pearson.
Hitting for Lincoln were Pennington with a triple and single, Soohey a double and single, Morgan Scavetta a double and Jones, Creamer and Gauntt a single each. Hitting for Fryeburg were Rascoe 2 doubles, Pelkie a double and single, Tripp 2 singles, Carla Tripl and Carissa Watkins a double each, and Ashley Watkins and Harriman a single each.
