Sports Editor
Softball squads have been busy jockeying for playoff positions as the regular season rolls on. And with just two weeks left to play, some teams will need to pick up the pace if they hope to qualify for the postseason. The regular season comes to an end June 2, with the preliminary round commencing June 8, followed by the quarterfinal round June 10.
As of Tuesday morning, two local teams — Caribou and Limestone-MSSM — were in the playoff picture, but much can change in the final two weeks of the season.
In Eastern Class B, Caribou (4-3, 24.8047 points) is seventh after upsetting Hermon Saturday. Only the top 10 teams make the playoffs. Presque Isle hosted Caribou Tuesday night in a key matchup.
In Eastern Class D, Limestone-MSSM (7-0, 30.2615) is second; Fort Fairfield (3-7, 7.0145) is 12th; and Washburn (0-9, no points) is 16th. Only the top nine teams make the playoffs.
The following is a recap of games played through Monday, May 17
Limestone-MSSM 31, Washburn 9 — At Washburn Monday, Victoria St. Pierre had an impressive day at the plate as she led the Eagles to victory with a home run, triple and three singles, with six RBIs. Ashlynn Kelly added a home run and two singles, with four RBIs and Chelsea Leighton had a home run and two singles for the winners.
For Washburn, Kristi Sperrey led the way with a triple and single; Rayah Saucier had a home run and two RBIs; and Makayla Ronco added a triple and single. merun.
Wisdom 14, Fort Fairfield 12— At Fort Fairfield Monday, a late game rally fell short for the Tigers against Wisdom. Sarah Hebert pitched the loss, allowing 14 runs on 12 hits and seven walks, with three strikeouts. Wisdom hurler Deliya Michaud scattered 12 runs on 15 hits and four walks, with six strikeouts.
Keying the Tigers at the plate were: Courtney Churchill (3 runs, home run, 2 singles, 2 RBIs); Kelsey Turner (home run); and Emily Blaisdell (2 runs, 3 singles, 3 RBIs).
Caribou 10, Hermon 8 — At Hermon Saturday, in the first game of a doubleheader, Brittany Doak blasted an RBI-double and also singled and scored a run to help Caribou knock off top-ranked Hermon. Rebecca McDougal had a single, two RBIs and scored two runs.
Hermon 13, Caribou 1 — In the second game, Hermon’s bats came alive, while Debbie Colpitts shut down the Vikings. Jamie Martin drove in Caribou’s only run with a double.
Limestone-MSSM 29, Washburn 7 (5 inns) —At Limestone Friday, St. Pierre went 4-for-6 with two singles and two doubles to lead the Eagles over Washburn. Audra Kirk added a home run and single, with 3 RBIs. For Washburn, Tia Dee, Kristi Sperrey and Rayah Saucier each had a single.
Southern Aroostook 25, Fort Fairfield 4 (5 innings) — At Fort Fairfield Friday, Sarah Hebert pitched the loss, allowing 25 runs on 18 hits and 12 walks, with three strikeouts. Rochelle Nadeau twirled the win scattering five hits and three walks, with six strikeouts.
Emily Blaisdell, Danielle Tracy and Emily Weissman each had a hit and drove in a run for the Tigers.
Ashland 26, Washburn 3 — At Washburn Thursday, Anna Paradis had a triple and two singles, with four RBIs to lead Ashland.
Sperrey led Washburn with a home run, while Dee added a single.
Limestone-MSSM 2, Ashland 0 — At Limestone Wednesday, the Eagles emerged victorious in a classic defensive game. Whitney Donovan pitched a four-hitter with two walks and eight strikeouts for Ashland. Jasmine Cote twirled the one-hit shutout, with two walks and one strikeout.
St. Pierre doubled and singled for the Eagles, while Kelly tripled and Kirk added a single. Caribou 10, Fort Kent 2 — At Fort Kent Wednesday, the Vikings got multiple hits from a number of players to secure the easy win over Fort Kent. Leading the Viking hit parade were Jordyn Doucette (single, double, 3 runs), Martin (single, triple, 3 runs), Sare Damboise (2 singles), Ashley Doucette (2 singles, run), Doak (single, double, run), Kristin Plante (single), McDougal (double, single) and Madison Outing (2 singles, 2 runs).
Doak also had a nice defensive play as she made a run-saving catch in right field, according to coach Ryan Deprey.
For Fort Kent, Taylor Boucher had two doubles and a single.
“The game was a lot closer then the final score,” coach Deprey said. “Fort Kent had runners in scoring position in the first, second, third and sixth innings. One hit and the game would have had a totally different look to it. But, when we needed her to get a K to keep Fort Kent at bay, Emily Staples came up big.”
Staples finished with six hits, five walks and 14 strikeouts.
Limestone-MSSM 16, Madawaska 4 — At Madawaska May 11, Kirk and C. Leighton each had a double and two singles to lift the Eagles to victory. Pelkey added three singles, while St. Pierre chipped in two singles in the win.
Central Aroostook 25, Washburn 13 — At Mars Hill May 11, Michaela King tripled, doubled and had two singles, with seven RBIs to lift the Panthers over Washburn. Vicki McIntyre had a three-run home run and added a triple. R. Saucier led Washburn with two singles.
Hodgdon 29, Fort Fairfield 17 — At Hodgdon May 11, Churchill had two singles and three RBIs for the Tigers, while Hebert added two singles.
