BREWER – It seemed fitting that Central of Corinth pitcher Alyssa Libby made the final out of Monday’s Class C state softball final at Coffin Field.

That’s because it was Libby’s pitching and defense, as well as strong play from the rest of the Red Devils’ fielders, that helped Central hold off Telstar for the state crown.

With both teams playing strong defense, it came down to a Jenny Rollins RBI single to help the Devils to a 2-1 victory.

“We just seemed to come through for each other,” Libby said. “I can really depend on my defense. That’s why I can throw what I do. We all seemed to come through when it counts.”

Central (17-3) won its second state title 20 years after winning the program won its first. Coach Durice Washburn played on a 1979 team that earned an Eastern Maine title but lost in the state game.

“I have to say, this feels better than I expected it to,” she said. “It means a lot for my two captains, too. They’re four-year starters and they’ve done everything I asked them too.”

The Rebels of Bethel (15-3) had a lot to feel good about too, as each team had two double plays and starter Jillian Kimball didn’t give up a walk.

She did give up a leadoff single in the third, however, to Kristie Collins, who advanced to second on a wild pitch and to third on Lindsay Mitchell’s sacrifice. Rollins then lined a single to right to score Collins for a 1-0 lead.

“The pressure makes you get right up there and do it,” Rollins said.

Rollins was also a factor in the fifth, reaching on a throwing error that allowed Erica Brownell to score from third. Brownell also hit a leadoff single and advanced to second and third on a passed ball and a wild pitch, respectively.

“It came down to, we made a mistake when we shouldn’t have and they had a hit when they should have,” Telstar coach Jim Lunney said. “… It was a game of inches at times and the inches worked against us.”

Telstar’s Jessie Farrington answered in the top of the sixth with an RBI single to plate Josie Reiss, who singled and advanced on Central’s only error.

The Rebels threatened with runners at first and second and one out, but Central catcher Chantel Randall caught a foul pop behind the plate and Libby struck out the final batter.

Central’s defense shined all game. Telstar also had a runner at first with one out in the fifth when rightfielder Mitchell made a diving catch to save a sure hit. The Rebels also had a runner on with one out in the seventh but Mitchell caught another fly ball and Libby got a groundout to end the game.

“The wind was kind of chasing [the fifth-inning ball] back but it let up and dropped, so I kind of had to dive for it,” said Mitchell, a senior and former leftfielder who was moved to right this year.

Libby fielded five groundballs for outs and caught a hard-hit line drive for another.

“Both teams worked with their defense,” said Libby, who was feeling better after injuring her right hand in the quarterfinals. “We felt really good and we knew it from the beginning. … I threw better so I got more ground balls.”

Telstar had outscored teams 29-8 in its three regional playoff games.

Central’s Kara Voisine hit a two-out triple in the second.

After the game, the Rebels gave the Red Devils state championship shirts while the girls shook hands. Telstar had the shirts made up for themselves so the writing was in the school’s bright blue.

“They’re a good team,” Rollins said, wearing one of the shirts over her red and black uniform. “It was very, very nice of them.”

RED DEVILS 2, REBELS 1

Telstar (15-3) Central (17-3)

Player AB R H BI Player AB R H BI

Kimball, p 3 0 1 0 Rollins, 3b 3 0 1

Jordan, 2b 2 0 0 0 Underhill, ss 2 0 0

Farrington, ss 3 0 2 1 Daniel, 1b 3 0

Rosenberg, c 3 0 0 0 Randall, c 3 0 0

Mills, cf 3 0 0 0 Libby, p 3 0 0

Cozzolino, 1b 2 0 1 0 Haney, pr 0 0

Hutchins, lf 3 0 1 0 Voisine, 2b 3 0 0

Tripp, 3b 2 0 0 0 Brownell, cf 2 1 0

Belanger, ph 1 0 0 0 Collins, lf 2 1 0

Reiss, dh 3 1 1 0 Mitchell, rf 1 0 0

Jacques, rf 0 0 0 0

Totals 25 1 6 1 Totals 22 2 6 1

Telstar 000 001 0 – 1

Central 001 010 x – 2

E-Jordan, Farrington; Voisine; LOB-Telstar 5, Central 3; 3B-Voisine; DP-Cozzolino (una.), Farrington-Tripp; Randall-Daniel-Underhill, Libby-Daniel; S-Jordan; Mitchell

Telstar IP H R ER BB SO

Kiimball (L,8-3) 6 6 2 1 0 3

Central IP H R ER BB SO

Libby (W,17-3) 7 6 1 0 1 1

WP-Kimball 2; PB-Rosenberg; T-1:12; ATT-300 (est.)