BREWER – When the Brewer Witches wiggled out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam by surrendering just one run to Skowhegan in the top of the second inning, there was a feeling amid the crowd at a steamy Coffin Field that the top-ranked softball team in Eastern Maine Class A was going to cook up a big-time rally.

The Witches cast a spell on the No. 4 Indians’ pitching to the tune of six runs on five hits and gave sophomore righthander Melanie Judkins plenty of support as Brewer earned a date in Tuesday’s regional final with a 7-1 semifinal victory Saturday afternoon.

Coach Harry “Skip” Estes’ Witches, who won their 13th straight game and improved to 18-1, advance to their first EM final since 2004 while reigning regional champ Skowhegan finishes 12-6.

Brewer, which last advanced to the state championship game in 2004, takes on second-seeded Bangor Tuesday night at 7 at Cony High in Augusta.

The Witches took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI single to center by Leah Jackson, then the Indians tied it in the top of the second.

However, that run scored on a passed ball and Skowhegan didn’t come up with a hit in the inning. Only three runners advanced beyond second base the rest of the way.

“We got out of a really tough situation and we knew we had to come back at them hard, so we brought our bats,” said Brewer senior leadoff hitter and second baseman Sarah Risser.

The Witches struck early and often in the inning, with Judkins (10-1) jumpstarting it with a triple to down the left-field line. Jaimee Knowles delivered an RBI single four pitches later to give Brewer the lead for good.

The next four batters would reach before the second out was made – a productive one in Jackson’s sacrifice fly, while the rally culminated in Allie DeFilipp’s two-out, two-strike, two-run single to center.

“I just thought it was a perfect pitch … and I just knew I had to swing because I had two strikes,” said DeFilipp, a sophomore infielder.

“We were just in a rally so I knew I had to keep it going.”

As has been a case throughout the season, the Witches got consistent output up and down the lineup, one of the toughest in Eastern Maine Class A.

“Usually once we start hitting we have a big inning, its very seldom that we get one hit and that’s it,” said Risser, who had another solid game from the leadoff slot with a single, two walks, two runs scored and a stolen base.

“Once we get a couple hits in a row we usually score a bunch of runs. That’s what happened today.”

Brewer’s second-inning surge turned out to be a backbreaker for coach Lee Johnson’s Indians, who managed only one hit off Judkins, who struck out 11 on the afternoon.

“Once you get down by that many runs against a quality pitcher like that, it’s a tall task,” said Johnson.

Judkins could have easily been rattled after walking Indians leadoff hitter Megan Hancock with two down and runners on second and third in the second, particularly after Hancock fouled off four pitches. But Judkins bore down got the next hitter to line out and end the threat.

“For a young kid, she really showed some toughness,” said Estes. “It was tough, she held it together.”

On the other end of the spectrum, the Indians couldn’t take advantage of four walks and a wild pitch.

“When you’ve got a chance against a good team like that you’ve got to make them pay,” said Johnson. “If we could’ve somehow taken a lead right there, it may have put them on their heels a little bit.”

Hancock’s fourth-inning single was Skowhegan’s only hit on the day.

rmclaughlin@bangordailynews.net

990-8193

WITCHES 7, INDIANS 1

Skowhegan (12-6) Brewer (18-1)

Player AB R H BI Player AB R H BI

Me. Hancock, 3b 3 0 1 0 Risser, 2b 3 0

Hodgdon, cf 4 0 0 0 D. DeFilipp, lf 4 1 1

Jones, ss 3 0 0 0 McLain, ss 4 1 0

S. Gray, c 2 0 0 0 Jackson, c 3 0 2

T. Gray, pr 0 0 0 0 A. DeFilipp, 3b 3 0 2

Johnson, 2b 2 1 0 0 Liberatore, dh 2 0 0

Ames, lf 2 0 0 0 Kenney, rf 1 0 0

Noddin, lf 1 0 0 0 Judkins, p 2 0 0

Mak. Hancock, dh 2 0 0 0 Simpson, pr 0 0

Mal. Hancock, rf 2 0 0 0 Ryan, ph 1 0

Baker, 3b 1 0 0 0 Knowles, 1b 1 1 1

Foster, ph 1 0 0 0 Fraser, cf 3 1 0

Totals 23 1 1 0 Totals 27 7 7 6

Skowhegan 010 000 0 – 1

Brewer 160 000 x – 7

E-Mal. Hancock, Baker; Risser; LOB-Skowhegan 8, Brewer 5; 3B-Judkins; DP-Skowhegan 1; S-Jackson, Fraser; SF-Jackson; SB-Me. Hancock; Risser

Skowhegan IP H R ER BB SO

McCarty (L, 12-6) 6 7 7 6 3 5

Brewer IP H R ER BB SO

Judkins (W, 10-1) 7 1 1 0 6 11

WP-Judkins; PB-Jackson; T-2:00; ATT-125 (est.)