Wardwell hurls 5-1 win over Winslow

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BUCKSPORT – A softball game which featured solid defense and effective pitching by both teams meant either Winslow or Bucksport would have to come up with at least one big, multi-run inning to win the Eastern Maine Class B semifinal playoff here Tuesday.

Fortunately for the second-seeded Bucksport Golden Bucks, the first of those innings came early in their 5-1 victory over the No. 3 Winslow Black Raiders.

The Bucks advance to play No. 1 Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield for the Eastern Maine Class B championship Wednesday. The game will start at 4 p.m. in Pittsfield.

Senior second baseman Corinne Keene tripled to score leadoff hitter Tracy Huggins, who singled, and the Bucks led 1-0 after only two batters had come to the plate.

Keene then scored on a wild pitch by Winslow pitcher Jen Harrison before the Raiders retired the rest of the side in the inning.

“I think that got us fired up and kept us going,” said Bucksport Coach Michael Carrier. “When you score early, it always puts the other team at a disadvantage.”

Winslow managed to shrink Bucksport’s lead to 2-1 with a run in the third, thanks to an RBI single by Harrison.

After Bucksport scored a run in the fourth on junior first baseman Jody Senter’s two-out, RBI single, the Bucks came up with their second and final big inning – a two-run fifth – that effectively put the game almost out of reach for Winslow.

Bucksport junior hurler Jennifer Wardwell (11-0) took total control after the third and allowed only one hit the rest of the way.

“She pitched a few more balls than she usually does, but I thought she was picking up more speed towards the end of the game,” said Carrier. “She has five different pitches and she used them all effectively today.”

The junior pitcher struck out eight batters and walked two en route to the three-hitter.

Wardwell, who has battled back from a rotator cuff injury early in the season, showed no signs of a loss of effectiveness Tuesday.

“The umpire was calling the outside of the plate, so I kept it on the outside where they didn’t like it because it was hard for them to get around on it,” Wardwell said. “So my slider was real, real effective today.”

Wardwell gave most of the credit for the win to her team’s defense.

“They’re incredible,” said Wardwell. “I think they’re the best defense in Eastern Maine, and I think we’re the best team around right now as far as defense and offense is concerned.”

The numbers back her statement up, especially the offensive numbers. Seven Bucksport players are currently sporting batting averages of .400 or better.

Keene led the offensive attack for Bucksport today, going 2-for-3 with the RBI triple. She was the lone multiple hitter for Bucksport. Left fielder Julie Brown singled, scored a run, and stole a base.

“We really weren’t able to get the big hit at the big time,” said Winslow Coach Steve Blood. “We had a couple runners on base in two or three different innings and we didn’t come up with the big hit to drive the runs in.”

Harrison led the Winslow offense with her RBI single. Right fielder Lori Desmond singled and stole a base. April Doyon’s single was the only other hit.

The Winslow Raiders finish their season with a 15-3 mark.

Bucksport brings a 16-2 record into Wednesday’s EM final with MCI. Bucksport handed the Huskies their only loss of the season, 2-1, in the final game of the regular season.

“I think it’s going to be a game to watch. I’d rather watch it than coach it,” said Carrier. “We were hoping to play them again.”

Golden Bucks 5, Raiders 1

Winslow girls Bucksport

Name ab r h bi Name ab r h bi

Harrison, p 2 0 1 1 Huggins, ss 3 2 1 0

Roy, 1b 3 0 0 0 Keene, 2b 3 1 2 1

Desmond, rf 3 0 1 0 Marzolf, cf 3 0 0 0

Paradis, c 2 0 0 0 Wardwell, p 3 0 0 1

Pellerin, 2b 3 0 0 0 Costigan, 3b 3 1 1 0

Twombly, lf 3 0 0 0 Bakeman, rf 1 0 0 0

Doyon, ss 3 0 1 0 Ames, c 3 0 0 0

Morneau, cf 0 0 0 0 Senter, 1b 3 0 1 1

Lizotte, dh 1 0 0 0 Brown, lf 2 1 1 0

Gigugie, dh 1 1 0 0

Sanborn, 3b 2 0 0 0

Totals 23 1 3 1 Totals 24 5 6 3

Winslow 001 000 0 – 1

Bucksport 200 120 x – 5

E – Sanborn 3B – Keene LOB -Winslow 3; Bucksport 4 SB – Desmond; Brown S – Roy

Pitching Summary

PITCHER IP H R BB SO

Winslow

Harrison (L) 6 6 5 3 8

Bucksport

Wardwell(W,11-0) 7 3 1 2 2

WP – Harrison 2 PB – Paradis TIME -1:43