BUCKSPORT – Bucksport’s Kelly White fired a two-hitter, struck out eight, and didn’t walk a batter Thursday as her top-ranked Golden Bucks shut out No. 8 Caribou 14-0 at Wardwell Field in the quarterfinals of the Class B softball tournament.

But even after all that, the sophomore righthander said her performance was just “average.”

“I threw pretty well, but I didn’t throw as hard as usual. It wasn’t my best performance,” she said.

The 17-0 Golden Bucks have advanced to the semifinals against No. 4 Mount Desert Island, a 14-2 winner over John Bapst in Thursday’s quarterfinal.

Caribou finished at 8-10. It was the Vikings first tournament appearance since 1989.

Despite White’s critical self-evaluation, Bucksport coach Michael Carrier had little to find fault with.

“Kelly pitched really well. Her drop was maybe breaking a little too much, her fastball was popping, and her change-up – well, that’s just hard to hit,” he said.

Caribou coach Sue White said the Vikings expected to find it tough going at the plate.

“We don’t see a pitcher like that at all up our way. She’s incredible.”

The Vikings even put in a little extra preparation at Wednesday afternoon’s practice, but it was all in vain.

“We dug out the pitching machine again yesterday and put it on top speed. But then we got rained on and had to put it away before we got electrocuted,” White said.

Kelly White improved to 8-0 on the year. She has been splitting time in the circle all season long with junior Annette Caswell, who played center field Thursday.

Carrier said Caswell has an 0.63 earned run averag while White has a 0.64.

“We just keep rotating them. They’re both number one pitchers,” he said.

Bucksport gave White plenty of offensive support, pounding out 12 hits. Jana Richards and Heather Pelletier led the way with a triple and a single each. Richards also had a pair of RBIs.

The Golden Bucks did the most damage in the second inning, reaching Caribou’s Megan Cole-Karagory for nine runs on nine hits. Richards and Pelletier had back-to-back triples in the inning.

The Vikings got both of their hits in the fourth. With one out, Liz Andrews reached on an error, and then Cole-Karagory and Ashley Monahan poked consecutive singles to load the bases.

But Bucksport preserved the shutout when Tiffany Miller hit into a fielder’s choice and Jamie Landeen grounded out to end the inning.

Pelletier said the Golden Bucks are confident, even though they feel extra pressure because of their undefeated mark.

“Going into the tournament in first place is the toughest, because everyone is out to get you. We’ll just have to take the challenge as it comes every game,” she said.

With just one senior on its 12-person roster, youth might also be a concern for Bucksport. But Carrier said he’s not worried.

“These girls have played in a lot of real pressure games. They play a lot in the summertime. They’ve just played a lot of games together,” he said.

Golden Bucks 14, Vikings 0 (5 inn.)

Caribou girls (8-10) Bucksport (17-0)

Name ab r h bi Name ab r h bi

Butler, ss 2 0 0 0 Caswell, cf 3 1 1 0

Andrews, 2b 2 0 0 0 White, p 2 1 1 0

Cole-Kargry, p 2 0 1 0 Richards, c 3 1 2 2

Monahan, 1b 2 0 1 0 Pelletier, rf 3 2 2 1

Miller, c 2 0 0 0 Page, 1b 2 3 2 1

Landeen, 3b 2 0 0 0 Woodward, lf 2 2 1 1

Cyr, rf 2 0 0 0 Allard, ss 3 0 0 0

Lloyd, lf 2 0 0 0 Gordon, 3b 3 3 1 2

Grier, cf 2 0 0 0 Taylor, 2b 3 1 2 2

Totals 18 0 2 0 Totals 24 14 12 9

Caribou 000 00 – 0

Bucksport 092 3x – 14

E – Lloyd 2, Grier, Landeen; Allard 2B – Page 3B – Pelletier, Gordon, Richards LOB – Caribou 3, Bucksport 1 SB – Page, Pelletier S – Allard, White

PITCHER IP H R ER BB SO

Caribou

Cole-Karagory (L) 4 12 14 9 3 1

Bucksport

White (W) 5 2 0 0 0 8

TIME – 1:04 ATTENDANCE – 117