Allen, Hall lift Bucks Pitchers fill void after ace injured

Bucksport freshman Terren Hall didn’t think she was going to be doing much pitching for the Golden Bucks. After all, Bucksport had senior Nikki Smith, a Penobscot Valley Conference Class B all-star last year.

But when Smith suffered some injuries from a car accident recently, Hall and junior Kristi Allen have gotten chances to shine in the circle.

The defending Eastern Maine Class B champs did fall to Class A Brewer 4-1 Saturday, but the Bucks are 7-2. And they do have a win over the Witches earlier in the spring.

Smith had a 16-2 record last season, including a win in the Eastern Maine final (and a loss in the state championship game). But her injuries from a car accident sidelined her until this weekend. She pitched an inning against Brewer.

Hall was bit surprised to get so much time as a pitcher, but she has managed to shine despite her youth.

“I had to step up and fill that roll for her,” said Hall, who has a fastball, changeup, curve and a drop in her pitching repertoire. “Sometimes I get a little nervous but you just have to have faith in your teammates that they’re behind you and they’ll do the job.”

Hall pitched a one-hitter against MDI last week, striking out four and walking three in a 9-0 win. She scattered eight hits in a key 7-4 victory over John Bapst of Bangor.

She did pick up the loss against Brewer Saturday. But there wasn’t much offensive support as the Bucks managed only three hits. Hall was also tagged with a loss to Hancock County rival Ellsworth, but Bucksport had three hits in that game, too.

Allen has also shared in the pitching work while Smith was out. She threw a one-hitter in a 12-0 victory over Orono Thursday, striking out eight and walking none.

Allen was also responsible for an April 29 victory over Brewer in which she allowed five hits in a 6-5 game.

Bucksport coach Mike Carrier knew what he had in both Hall and Allen. It’s just that he had to go to them early with Smith out.

“I was going to use Terren a little bit anyway, both her and Kristi,” he said. “They’ve both done really well.”

Hall has also made an impression at the plate. She hit a home run over the fence at John Wardwell Field against MDI last week. She had two doubles and a single for four RBIs in the win over John Bapst.

Hall drove in another four runs on a double and a single in Allen’s win over Orono.

Hall may be just a freshman but like many of the young softball players in the area, they’ve already competed at a high level through her ASA (Amateur Softball Association) team. Hall was the starting shortstop for the DownEast Heat, an ages 16-and-under squad made up of girls from the Calais area, Belfast and Bangor.

The Heat went to Disney’s Fastpitch Oktoberfest Showcase at the Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla., last year and competed against teams from southern states that often compete 10 months out of the year.

Allen and Hall were members of the Bucksport Lady Bucks ASA 12-and-under team that won the 2000 Maine ASA Junior Olympic State Tournament Class B 12-and-under championship.

Brewer softball fundraiser

The Brewer softball team will hold its Basket Bingo fundraiser Sunday, May 16 at the Brewer High cafeteria.

The raffle, which starts at 1 p.m., features Longaberger baskets. There will also be door prizes and concessions. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from any Brewer softball player or by calling 843-5617.

Proceeds will go to the Brewer softball program.

Hampden’s Campbell honored

Tami Campbell, a Hampden resident who organizes and oversees judging at the Maine Principals’ Association regional and state cheerleading championships, recently earned a regional award from the National Federation of State High School Associations Spirit Committee, which governs cheerleading competitions in many states, including Maine.

Campbell received the National Spirit Award Contributor Award for Section I, which is comprised of New England, New York and New Jersey.

Campbell also serves as a cheering camp director, conducts mandatory MPA coaches’ clinics and works with the officials organization.

She has also served as an organizer of the Hampden Children’s Fair, which benefits the Jubilation Bell Ringers of Hampden Highlands United Methodist Church.

Jessica Bloch can be reached at 990-8193, 1-800-310-8600 or jbloch@bangordailynews.net.