The first set of Heal points was released this week and Scarborough’s softball team is close to the top, second only to Deering. The Red Storm enter the week 6-0, despite a line-up quite different from last season’s western Maine finalists.
“Realistically, if you look at my team, the only player I have in the same position as last year is my catcher (Meaghan Myers),” said coach Tom Griffin. “In every other position I have different kids, a couple starters (from last season) in different positions. I play two freshmen out there and three or four sophomores. People don’t realize how young we are.”
The team’s youth, however, hasn’t dampened its drive.
“They’re very athletic and hungry to win,” Griffin adds.
Even with top pitcher Ambre Davidson out with a knee injury (see box), Scarborough has not been slowed. Kelsey Griffin took the mound Friday and dazzled visiting Massabesic, hurling a no-hitter while striking out 16 in a 6-0 win.
“She’s tough. She’s a hard thrower,” her coach said. “She has a lot of movement, and a lot of poise.”
After the younger Griffin struck out the side to start off the game, Kira Gordon put the Storm offense right on track with a leadoff single. She moved to second on Griffin’s sacrifice bunt and, after Myers walked, Gordon was knocked in on Angie Damon’s single. Another base hit from Victoria Joyce sent Myers home.
The Mustangs (1-6) were able to regroup several times on the day, never allowing Scarborough to have a big inning. Noting the wide divergence in the teams’ records, they could have rolled over, but didn’t.
“One of the things we’ve been working on is just going out there and competing inning to inning, play to play,” said Massabesic coach Tyler Berthiaume. “Focus on the play in front of us.”
Griffin continued to mow down her opponents, and in the fourth inning she belted a triple over the centerfielder’s head, bringing home Catie Funk and Sarah Bonenfant.
Two more runs scored in the sixth on a Myers single and then a double steal, which plated Reegan Brackett.
Lauren Dupee was the Mustangs only baserunner on the day, reaching first when her fifth-inning bunt was mishandled. Griffin walked no one and pitched to just one hitter over the minimum.
“We were really focused today. I felt really good,” the right-handed hurler said. “The ball was popping.”
Since topping rival South Portland by a run two weeks ago, Scarborough has beaten Portland handily and won close games against Biddeford and Thornton Academy. On May 19 the Storm host Deering in a contest that might offer some insight into the team’s post-season chances.
“We’ve got a lot of weapons out there. This is the fastest team I’ve ever had, and maybe the most athletic,” Coach Griffin said. “We’re hoping to do a few different things than in the past – more running and bunting. We’ve got the pitching and catching that can get us through. We’re an exciting team.”
His players appear to be equally enthused.
“We’re doing awesome,” said Damon. “We’re going to be the team to beat, definitely.”
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