Staff Writer
The Houlton Lady Shires just couldn’t catch a break, said Houlton coach Bruce Nason about last Saturday’s Eastern Maine Class C semifinal game in Calais.
Photograph by Wendy Lewis
OUT – Houlton’s first baseman squeezes the ball on the throw to get a Lee runner out during last Thursday’s quarterfinal game.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
The Houlton Lady Shires just couldn’t catch a break, said Houlton coach Bruce Nason about last Saturday’s Eastern Maine Class C semifinal game in Calais.
“The kids played hard, but we didn’t hit the ball well,” he added.
The Lady Shires took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second after Chelsi Murray singled to drive in a run, but it was answered by Calais who rallied for a three-run frame of their own. Then Nicole Osborne’s run-scoring single in the fourth proved to be the game winner, as the No. 2 Blue Devils held on for a 6-5 victory, advancing to Tuesday’s Eastern Maine final game against No. 1 Sumner at Coffin Field in Brewer.
Houlton put a run on the scoreboard in the fourth on a Calais miscue, but the Blue Devils again answered with two more runs of their own for a 6-2 lead. The Lady Shires threatened in the fifth, rallying for three runs to close the scoring gap when Casey Malone walked and moved to second on a Courtney Putnam hit. Then, Nikki Eastman belted a two-run single to left field. However, the game went scoreless the rest of the way.
Eastman was solid off the mound, scattering four hits. Pacing the offense were Courtney Putnam, Erica Lackey and Chelsi Murray, who all singled.
“Overall, we had a great season,” said Nason, whose squad went 13-5. “We are only losing three players to graduation. This should be a very good team next year.”
Throughout the season, the Lady Shires showed they could play against any caliber ballclub, and Saturday was no exception.
“The girls played very good softball at times and showed they were a good team,” Nason added. “I want to thank the girls for their effort. I especially want to thank my three seniors Brittany (Guiod), Casey (Faulkingham) and Casey (Malone) for their efforts this year and throughout their time on varsity and junior varsity.”
The Lady Shires defeated Lee Academy, 5-3 in last Thursday Class C quarterfinal game in Houlton.
Eastman banged a two-run double and threw a four-hitter to lead the Lady Shires to victory. Lackey stroked two doubles and a single, while Lainey Herring chipped in with a pair of hits.
Houlton took a 4-0 lead after the third and scored what proved to be the winning run in the bottom of the fourth. Lee battled back in the fifth with two runs, but that’s all they would get from Eastman and her defense.
