Pitching ‘Scary’ for MA Lynx seek 2nd straight state title

LINCOLN – Some years ago, when Mattanawcook Academy pitcher Kari Vance was just getting into softball, Mattanawcook coach Dean Libbey gave her the nickname Scary.

Vance can’t remember exactly which scenario led to the nickname: Either it came about when she was in the eighth grade, just learning how to pitch, and walked and hit so many batters that it was scary to watch. Or the nickname might have originated when Libbey was Vance’s driving instructor and the two had a few scary outings.

Now that Vance is a senior and one of the top pitchers in the state, there’s could be just one meaning for her nickname. Vance is so good in the circle, it’s … well, you get the picture.

“It’s nice to have a nickname. It’s almost flattering,” Vance said after practice Wednesday. “Now it’s, the batters might be scared.”

Vance’s pitching, along with a hot-hitting offense and solid defense, has translated into a 16-0 record for the Lynx. Mattanawcook is ranked third in the Eastern Maine Class C standings and the defending state champions are certainly among the favorites to win the state crown again.

As the No. 3 seed the Lynx won’t play until a June 7 quarterfinal where, if the tournament plays out according to seeds, they would face No. 6 George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill. MA is tuning up for the playoffs this week with scrimmages against Class A teams Bangor and Old Town.

Mattanawcook has the best record in Class C (Western Maine top seed Hall-Dale of Hallowell is 13-0). The one knock on MA’s record is the strength of its schedule – the Lynx didn’t play any team that finished the regular season ranked higher than 10th. Still, Mattanawcook has dominated every squad it has faced this year.

The Lynx have scored an average of 16.5 runs per game while allowing just 1.2. And 13 of their 16 games ended in the fifth inning because of the 12-run rule.

Vance’s numbers are equally stellar. She went 15-0 this year (and might have won the 16th game if not for a knee injury suffered when she slid into second base during a game against Central of Corinth).

She has five no-hitters and seven one-hitters, didn’t allow more than four hits in a game, and averaged 9.6 strikeouts (including 10 games in which she had double-digit strikeouts). She allowed only 1.2 hits and 1.5 walks per game.

Vance had more no-hitters last season, but she’s a more dangerous pitcher this year because of her command of curves, drops, changes, and rises, and a better understanding of how to use them. Vance has hit more batters this spring than in previous years, but there’s a good reason for that.

“I think I’m more consistent, more accurate,” said Vance, who was named the Penobscot Valley Conference Class C Player of the Year. “I’ve hit people, but that’s because I’m throwing more inside. I think I can position [pitches] better now.”

MA’s pitching has also fed off the defense, and vice versa. Vance is comfortable with the girls behind her, and those girls are happy to have Vance in the circle.

“She’s pitching smarter,” said center fielder Carly Mansur, who has a .406 average.

Mansur and Vance are two of five MA players to be named a PVC first-team all-star. Catcher Laci Whitney, first baseman Brandi Rideout, right fielder Desirae Haines, and third baseman Kylee Allen are also on the team. Cassie Carver made the second team as a second baseman.

The Lynx lost just three starters to graduation, but two in critical positions (catcher and shortstop). Underclassmen have taken over those positions and have filled in well.

“All the underclassmen have stepped it up,” said Allen, who is batting .478. “They know how much this means to us.”

Vance is also a part of Mattanawcook’s hot-hitting lineup – as a team the Lynx are hitting at a .445 clip. Rideout leads the team with a .586 average. Vance is hitting .531 and Carver is at .509.

“Libbey has a new way of coaching this year where he cranks the [batting] machine up early,” Carver said. “We concentrate a lot on hitting and it’s showed.”

Six of the seven seniors have been playing together since Vance was walking batters in middle school (Vance, Rideout, Desirae Haines, Nicole Leighton, Allen and Mansur are the original six; Carver transferred into the Lincoln school system later), and that has helped the team come together, too.

“We’re an all-round team,” Vance said. “We bat well, we have a good defense, I pitch well. I think we can face anyone.”