LIMESTONE, Maine — After falling short in last year’s Eastern Maine title game, the Eagles have used that loss as motivation to get back there and even go farther.
Through 15 regular season victories and two more in the playoffs, the goal is intact.
The Eagles blitzed Stearns of Millinocket in their quarterfinal game Thursday and then got the better of Ashland in Saturday’s home semifinal. Next up is Deer Isle-Stonington, who they play tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Eastern Maine Class D championship at Brewer’s Coffin Field.
“For the last year, they have had one goal and focus, which was to get back to the championship and avenge their loss from last year,” said Andrew Kirby, the team’s first-year coach. “The girls are fired up and ready to play.”
After a 15-0 regular season to secure the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, the Eagles proceeded to drub Stearns at home, 21-5, before besting Ashland, 9-4.
In the first game of the playoffs, Limestone-MSSM batters ripped four over-the-fence home runs in the game called after five innings due to the run rule.
Melissa Cantafio, also the team’s pitcher, got things going with a two-run blast in the first and followed that up with a three-run shot in the third. The senior finished with three hits and eight RBI.
Kassee Albert and Jackie Peers then ripped back-to-back homers in the fourth inning to seal the win. Albert’s came with two runners on base.
Kelsee Albert went 4 for 4 as an integral part of the offensive attack.
On the mound, Cantafio struck out nine Minuteman batters.
On Saturday, Ashland tried the bunting game against Cantafio and the Eagle defense, but Limestone-MSSM was up to the task.
Kelsee Albert helped take away Ashland’s running game by throwing out the first Hornet attempting to steal second. The defense was also aided by sophomore center fielder Chelsey Pelkey, who ran down a few fly balls for outs.
Peers had a two-run single in the second inning to get the scoring going. Peers later came across on a sacrifice bunt by Jordyn Hopkins. The Eagles put another run on the board in the third and followed that up with three more in the fourth, with Ellyzabeth Bencivenga’s homer driving in Kassee Albert and Annie Sinclair.
Cantafio struck out only five, but allowed only four hits on the afternoon.
“She has the confidence in her defense behind her that when she throws strikes that get hit, the play will be made on the field,” Kirby said.
Kirby had the opportunity to scout Deer Isle-Stonington in its win Monday at Washburn, and feels his team will be ready for the challenge.
“They have a pitcher (Abby Knowlton) who throws well but not any faster than anyone we’ve seen this season,” Kirby said. “The girls love to face pitchers that have some speed and that will help us. I have confidence that we will get baserunners and be able to score.”
