PORTLAND — In the past, the biggest difference between Scarborough High’s softball team and all others in the SMAA was the Red Storm’s pitching.
This year, it might be Scarborough’s relentless lineup.
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Scarborough continued its offensive assault Monday afternoon, getting three-run homers from Mo Hannan and Erin Giles, in a 15-0 five-inning victory over McAuley.
The Red Storm, at 12-0 the only unbeaten team in Western Class A, broke the game open with five runs in the third and seven in the fourth.
“You just can’t relax on one batter in that lineup,” said McAuley Coach Robbie Ferrante. “They’re just very impressive.”
Add in the usual reliable pitching – Hannan and Dominique Burnham combined to strike out 12 and allow only three hits – and errorless defense, and the Red Storm started a big week in impressive fashion.
Second-ranked Scarborough plays at fifth-ranked Cheverus today, hosts No. 7 Sanford on Wednesday and visits third-ranked Kennebunk on Friday.
“We wanted to set the tone for the week,” said Hannan, now 5-0. “We didn’t want to go into the Cheverus game thinking we just did an OK job against McAuley.
“We know this is a big week, and we have to take it one game at a time. McAuley is such a scrappy team, they deserve a lot of credit for what they’ve done.”
The Red Storm, who average 13 runs a game, started quickly against McAuley, which lost its second in a row to drop to 10-3.
Jenn Colpitts reached on an error to lead off the first, Heather Carrier singled, and Hannan roped a home run to center field, scoring standing up.
In the third, Hannan and Burnham each had RBI singles before Giles, a freshman, ripped a home run to left, sliding safely under the tag to beat the relay throw.
“We are so deep,” said Scarborough Coach Tom Griffin. “And the thing is, they’re all making good swings. We’re disciplined at the plate, we’re aggressive at the plate, and we’re making good swings. I couldn’t be happier.”
Jen Field, McAuley’s starting pitcher, knew what type of lineup she was facing and tried to keep the Red Storm off balance by working the outside corner.
“I’ve played with a lot of them before and did all I could,” said Field.
“We knew coming in this was going to be pretty tough. And I think we did the best we could.”
But the Lions made five errors, and all led to runs.
“They’ll capitalize if you let them breath,” said Ferrante. “And they just don’t hurt themselves.’’
It helps to have pitchers like Hannan, Melissa Dellatorre and Burnham.
McAuley twice had runners on first and second. Each time, Hannan bore down and got out of the inning. She struck out 10 in four innings, walked two and allowed two hits.
“When you have pitchers like Melissa and Mo and Dominique, you know they’re going to take care of things,” said Giles, whose home run was her fourth of the season.
McAuley has three games remaining, two against playoff teams Biddeford and South Portland. “We’re still confident,” said Field. “We know going into Wednesday’s game against Biddeford that we have to work hard.”
Scarborough, meanwhile, looks to maintain its perfect record in a very tough week.
“For us to accomplish what we want, the No. 1 seed,” said Griffin, “it’s all on us. It’s all up to us.”
Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at: mlowe@pressherald.com
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