Kennebunk’s Emily Hogue slides home safely just as Biddeford catcher Brook Davis gets the ball during Wednesday’s Class A South playoff game. Pat McDonald/Journal Tribune
KENNEBUNK — Mother Nature won the first two rounds, but the No. 6 Kennebunk Rams and No. 11 Biddeford Tigers finally got their Class A South softball preliminary round game in on Wednesday afternoon.
“We were all excited about it because obviously they were here and we were warmed up for the game and it just got canceled,” Kennebunk senior Britney Gregoire of Tuesday’s postponement. “We were all ready and just wanted the game to actually happen.”
Gregoire got her wish on Wednesday and the Kennebunk senior put on a show in her final home game as she went 4-for-5 at the plate with a home run as the Rams picked up a 10-1 win over Biddeford.
Kennebunk’s Lydia Howarth fires a pitch during Wednesday’s Class A South softball playoff game against Biddeford. Pat McDonald/Journal Tribune
“Obviously the rain throws a wrench in things for sure, but I think the kids came out every day and showed up prepared as if we were going to play the game,” said Kennebunk coach Kortney Nedeau on her team dealing with rainouts on Monday and Tuesday.
Biddeford got off to a strong start with junior Taylor Wildes leading the game off with an infield single. An error off the bat of Olivia Whittaker and a walk to senior Brook Davis would load the bases. The Tigers got on the board when Chantel Perreault drove home a run with a sacrifice fly.
Kennebunk pitcher Lydia Howarth settled down after the sac fly and struck out the next two Biddeford hitters to limit the damage.
The Rams responded in the bottom of the first with two runs. Emily Hogue singled and got to second on a Biddeford error.
After a sac bunt from Christine Jarowicz, Gregoire drove home Kennebunk’s first run with an infield single. Gregoire would score on an error later in the inning to make it 2-1.
“I was impressed with how our team reacted to (Biddeford scoring first). We just didn’t let it affect us,” said Gregoire, who finished with three RBI and four runs.
Howarth wouldn’t give up another hit after the leadoff single from Wildes, which gave the Rams offense a chance to really put the game away.
Kennebunk added three runs in the bottom of the second thanks to RBI hits from Lindsey Gregoire and Howarth.
Britney Gregoire’s solo home run and singles from Lindsey Gregoire and Howarth helped the Rams extend the lead to 7-1 in the fourth inning.
Kennebunk would push three more runs across in the bottom of the fifth. Britney Gregoire had an RBI double, and Howarth and Kylie DeFoe had RBI singles to make it 10-1.
Howarth, who finished with five strikeouts, set the Tigers down in order in the final two innings to send the Rams to the Class A South quarterfinals.
Biddeford’s Taylor Wildes (left) celebrates with Chantel Perreault after she scored a run in the top of the first inning against Kennebunk. Pat McDonald/Journal Tribune
“Their pitcher, I think, pitched a one-hitter. I think it was the first (batter) of the game, but she pitched really well. She moved the ball and they also have a great hitting team,” said Biddeford coach Mike Fecteau.
Nedeau believes her team has the right mindset to be successful in the playoffs.
“I think the kids just want to win,” Nedeau said. “This is their best year in four years, and I think they’re in the best place to do it with these seniors and they just leave it all out there.”
The win over Biddeford was special for Nedeau, who had a bad taste in her mouth from a previous playoff loss to the Tigers — back when she was on the field.
“The rivalry is not the same with Biddeford as it used to be, but for me the heart in this game is such a big deal. My senior year we actually lost to Biddeford in the playoffs in the first round, so it’s huge for us to come back and be able to get that victory,” said Nedeau.
The Rams will face No. 3 Thornton Academy in the regional quarterfinals today at 4 p.m. in Saco.
“(Thornton Academy is) a great program. That’s a top-tier team … top notch and definitely a very mentally tough team,” said Nedeau of the Golden Trojans. “I think that if we can get to certain parts of their game we’re going to be able to crack them.
As long as we can take care of the ball and take care of our at-bats and just leave it all on the field.”
Biddeford finishes the season with a 7-10 record and will have to replace two standouts next season as Davis and pitcher Katie Stewart are graduating from BHS.
“Brook is an impact player. We had a young team and she was instrumental in the development of the young players. She was another coach out there and a great player,” said Fecteau of Davis. “She made her mark in Biddeford softball. I can’t say much more than she was just awesome to coach, a great kid and a great softball player.”
Fecteau gained a ton of respect for Stewart over the past two seasons as the pitcher fought through an injury to stay on the field.
“She was a competitor and she wanted to play. She fought through it which is what it’s all about — the kids that want to compete and love to be out there and play with their teammates,” said Fecteau of Stewart. “Two great girls. They have been part of a state championship when they were sophomores, so they’ve got something in their back pocket that they can look back at.”
— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
