KVHC wins second straight title

     The KVHC softball team ended their season with a perfect 15-0 record last Wednesday defeating F.A. Peabody 14-10 to defend their Houlton Area Little League softball title.
    KVHC finished 14-1 winning last year.
    KVHC scored three runs in the first inning off starting pitcher Cassie Butler to take the early lead. Rylee Warman led off the game with a walk, followed by hits from Kristin Graham, Carolyn Mooers, Rebecca Mooers and Grace Graham.  FAPCO answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning when Claire Gilpatrick earned  a walk from KVHC’s Kristin Graham.
Houlton Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
WINNERS — Winning theHoulton Little League softball title is KVHC. Players are left to right, front, Rylee Warman, Kristen Graham, Carolyn Mooers, Abbie Worthley, Angelina Jones and Grace Graham; back, coach Jon Worthley; Allanah Violette, Rebecca Mooers, Jillian Haggerty, Makayla Watson, Jennah Rand, Kennedy Buzzeo and coach Montie Graham.
    KVHC pounded out five more runs in the top of the second to take a commanding 8-1 lead. Abby Worthley led the inning off with a singled followed by a Warman hit. K. Graham then walked setting up the Mooers sisters for a couple of more hits. Jenna Carver smacked a home run and G. Graham singled. FAPCO scored another in the bottom of the second when Maddie Grant walked, stole second and scored on a passed ball. 
    FAPCO scored another in the third when Butler walked, stole second and third and scored on a passed ball. FAPCO cut the lead to 9-6 in the fourth. Brittany Hagan and Grant started off the inning with walks and both scored on a double off the bat of Tyra Gentle. She later scored on a passed ball.
Houlton Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
SKIPS AWAY — The ball skips away from KVHC’s Carolyn Mooers, as Cassie Butler makes it safely to base.
    KVHC jumped right back with the bats scoring three in the fifth and two in the sixth to take a 14-7 lead into the bottom of the seventh.  Worthley led off the fifth with a walk followed by an Angelina Jones hit. Warmen smacked a hit to score one, while K. Graham’s single plated two. Carver led off the sixth with another homer, while  Allanah Violette reached on an error. Warman and K. Graham got back-to-back hits to score a run, while Carolyn Mooers drove in the final run with a hit.
    FAPCO did not give up, scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Gentle led off the inning with a base hit, Butler walked and then Aspen Flewelling cranked a three- run homer. Victoria Holmes belted a base hit, while Mercedes McAfee walked with two outs. But, Graham squashed the rally striking out the last batter.
    Graham finished with 12 strikeouts, while giving up only five hits.
Houlton Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
DROPPED —FAPCO catcher Victoria Holmes couldn’t hang on to the ball as a KVHC runner slides  into home.