After Fryeburg posted two runs in the fifth at Gray-New Gloucester on Saturday morning, the Patriots immediately answered, scoring two of their own – Allie Martell and Cara Waltz crossed home to even the tally – in the sixth.
But it wasn’t to be G-NG’s day. The visiting Raiders grabbed another run in the eighth, one the Patriots had no answer for, and the game came to a halt at 3-2.
The result bumped No. 7 Fryeburg to 13-6, while dropping No. 6 G-NG squad to 12-6 and eliminating them from playoff contention.
“Overall, amazing season,” said Patriots head coach Amanda Harmon. “We had a couple different situations through the season – my other pitcher got a line drive to the face, so she was out a few games; we had a little lull, and then we won our last eight games.
“So, I’m nothing but proud. These girls work hard every day.”
The game slid through four scoreless innings before the Raiders snatched two runs in the top of the fifth. Julia Quinn and Hailey Hudson both scored on a double drive to centerfield by Makenzi Buzzell.
It took the Patriots another couple go-rounds at the plate, but they soon enough responded. In the sixth, Martell reached third when she flew to centerfield and the Raider there bobbled the catch. Waltz then bunted what would’ve been a sac bunt but for a missed catch by the Fryeburg first baseman. The play allowed Martell to reach home for 2-1. Kaylen Woods then grounded into center, scoring Waltz and tying things at two.
“We finally hit to the hole,” said Harmon. “We were getting a couple different pieces, hitting to players, finally got it through, got our bunts down, were aggressive.”
The seventh followed with no score, but in the eighth, Fryeburg unearthed another run. Lexi Larou-Carland tagged the plate after crashing into G-NG catcher Maria Valente, a collision that knocked Valente’s mitt clean off.
“She plowed into her,” said Harmon. “But it’s do or die in that situation; she did what she had to do. It’s a tough one, where you knock the glove off completely. I think it’s a little too rough, and a close call.
“It’s not a slide rule; it could’ve went a lot of different ways. It was just the play. It would’ve been nice if she’d slid; it could’ve been different.”
Faced with the deficit and only three outs to overcome it in, the Patriots came up just short and the Raiders celebrated victory.
Harmon had praise for her lineup, and especially her starting pitcher, Martell.
“They all [had a great game]. Everybody was focused and ready,” she said. “Our pitcher, she’s a freshman, she went out there, she took ownership of the mound, it’s a hot day. Her and the catcher worked hard back and forth.”
Gray-New Gloucester catcher Maria Valente awaits the throw as a Fryeburg runner slides in to score.
Patriots third baseman Nicole Lowell readies herself for action.
Allie Martell scores for the Patriots in the sixth.
Cara Waltz slides into home for the Patriots, evening the score with Fryeburg at 2-2.
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