A softball winning streak that dated back to May 18, 2012 came to an end Saturday as the Central Aroostook Panthers took an early lead and held on to defeat Limestone-MSSM, 12-10.
Central Aroostook scored five first-inning runs and added four more in the third to take a quick 9-0 lead. The Eagles scored three in their half of the third, but the Panthers put three of their own on the scoreboard in the fourth.
“I stressed to the kids before the game that it was important to jump out to a lead against them,” said Panther coach Ryan Guerrette. “Momentum can be such a powerful thing, as we’ve found out with opposing teams jumping ahead of us in the first inning and we never recovered.”
Whitnie Bradbury had a two-run single in the first and Karli Levesque ripped a three-run homer in the third to key those rallies for CA.
Levesque started on the mound but had to leave the game in the fifth after being involved in a collision on the infield. Caitlyn Harris entered the game and kept the Eagles scoreless that inning. However, Limestone-MSSM put five runs on the board in the sixth, keyed by Elly Bencivenga’s three-run homer, making it a two-run game.
In the bottom of the seventh, Annie Sinclair led off with a single for the Eagles, but Harris struck out the next three batters to end it.
Peers started on the mound for the Eagles, with Bencivenga entering midway through the first inning and going the rest of the way.
Limestone-MSSM had entered the game with a 37-game winning streak. Ironically, the Panthers were also the last team to hand the Eagles a loss prior to this one.
Summaries of other games played last week are as follows:
Limestone-MSSM 8, Washburn 4 — The Eagles bounced back Monday behind senior Elly Bencivenga, who struck out 12 batters and ripped a two-run homer in the victory over the Beavers in Washburn.
Jackie Peers went 2 for 3 and Kassee Albert went 2 for 4 for Limestone-MSSM, who improved to 4-1.
For Washburn, who lost for the first time after opening with five wins, Catelyn Coulombe went 2 for 4 and Joan Overman was 1 for 2 with an RBI. Liza Durette took the pitching loss.
Fort Fairfield 21, Wisdom 12 — At Fort Fairfield Monday, the Tigers overcame a seven-run deficit heading into the bottom of the fifth inning to defeat Wisdom.
Alexis Coiley led the way with four hits and two RBIs. Chelsey Pelkey added three hits and two RBIs for Fort Fairfield, now 4-2. Autumn Parady tripled and had two singles and an RBI. Kayla Tisdale added a double, single and two RBIs.
Presque Isle 15, John Bapst 2 — The Wildcats opened their successful home doubleheader against John Bapst Saturday by scoring 11 times in the bottom of the fourth and holding the Crusaders down in the fifth to invoke the 12-run rule.
Presque Isle’s offense was led by Hailey Cameron, who had two triples and five RBIs. Megan Seward chipped in with a triple and two RBIs to back winning pitcher Kelsey Gilson.
Presque Isle 13, John Bapst 3 — The Wildcats banged out 15 hits to beat the Crusaders in game two.
Cameron hit a home run, slammed two doubles and drove in five runs to continue her torrid start and lead the Presque Isle offense. Megan McKnight went 3 for 4 with a single, a double and a triple. Erin Ackerson added two singles and a double.
Gilson went the first six innings before giving way to reliever Faith Leavitt in the seventh.
Washburn 10, East Grand/GHCA 3 — On Friday in Washburn, Overman went 3 for 4 with two singles, a double and two RBIs to lead the way for the Beavers.
Brittany Corey and Coulombe each went 2 for 4 with two singles for the winners.
Ashland 14, Fort Fairfield 8 — Freshman Morgan Doughty tripled, doubled and finished with seven RBIs to power the Hornets by the Tigers Friday.
Laura Sturgeon chipped in with a triple and two singles for Ashland while Caitlin Paradis notched three singles.
Coiley’s three singles and three runs scored paced the Tigers, while Sadie Edgecomb added a double and single.
Limestone-MSSM 15, Ashland 2 — Jackie Peers had two doubles and two RBIs to lead Limestone to victory against the home team Hornets Thursday.
Albert added two singles and two RBIs for the victors. Bencivenga gained the pitching win.
Sturgeon tripled and drove in a run while for Ashland.
Washburn 10, Central Aroostook 5 — Last Wednesday in Mars Hill, Washburn plated three runs in the first inning and never looked back en route to victory. Overman and Grace Braley led the Beavers’ attack with two hits apiece.
Whitnie Bradbury had two singles and a double to lead the Panthers.
Liza Durette got the win, with relief help from Hannah Heald, while Levesque took the loss.
Presque Isle 17, Houlton 7 — The Wildcats won big last Wednesday behind Cameron’s 4-for-5 afternoon, which included a pair of doubles. She drove in four runs in the contest.
Macy Desmond had two hits for the winners. Gilson struck out eight Shiretowner batters.
Washburn 16, Ashland 5 — Coulombe doubled and singled to pace Washburn to the road win last Tuesday. Laina Mette added two singles for the Beavers.
For the Hornets, Pelletier had three singles and two RBIs, while Jacie Deabay added a two-run single. Durette was the winning pitcher, while Marissa Chasse took the loss.
