WATERBORO — With Grace McGouldrick on the mound for Gorham, Massabesic didn’t have many chances to score in Thursday’s Class A South softball quarterfinal.
But the No. 4 Mustangs capitalized on the few opportunities they had, scoring their runs on errors in the third inning in a 2-1 victory over No. 5 Gorham (13-5).
Massabesic (14-4) will play No. 1 Scarborough in the regional semifinals.
“It’s tough to watch McGouldrick – it’s just strikeout after strikeout after strikeout,” Massabesic Coach Kevin Tutt said. “When you face somebody as strong as Grace, you just have to put the ball in play and hope that they make a mistake on the field.”
McGouldrick – who was recently named the Gatorade Maine softball player of the year – allowed two hits, struck out 11 and walked four. She had six straight strikeouts when Grace Tutt stepped to the plate in the bottom of the third with two outs.
Tutt lined a single to center field for the Mustangs’ first hit of the game.
“Once I got on, Lacey Bean was up to bat, and I just put all my faith in her,” Grace Tutt said. “I knew as soon as the ball hit the bat, I was going.”
Bean connected for a hard hit up the middle, but McGouldrick made the stop and looked poised to end the inning. But her throw sailed high of first base, allowing Bean to reach base and go to third and Tutt to score.
“When I saw my coach wheeling me to go home, I just booked it,” Grace Tutt said. “We were down 1-0, so I had to get home.”
Another throwing error allowed Lauren Kiss to reach base and Bean to score the go-ahead run.
“As soon as we got that tying hit, we just knew we had it from there,” said Massabesic pitcher Cayleigh Morris, who allowed four hits and struck out six. “We took that momentum, and we went with it.”
Morris said the Mustangs weren’t rattled after Gorham took a 1-0 lead in the first – the same thing happened when the teams met on May 25. Massabesic also won that game 2-1.
“We knew that the same thing had happened last game and that all we had to do was hold our own and stay calm,” Morris said. “Honestly, I didn’t feel nervous, I knew we could get it done.”
Gorham scored in the first inning after Emily Murray walked, stole second and scored on Kiana Tracey’s double. Tracey had two hits for Gorham.
In the top of the seventh, Morris got the first two outs before walking Tatyanna Biamby. Morris then ended the game with a strikeout.
“Our girls came out ready to play, and we strung together a couple plays right off the bat,” Gorham Coach Renee Whipkey said. “I thought our energy was great.
“Unfortunately, they made some great plays in the innings to come. They capitalized.”
Taylor Vortherms can be contacted at 791-6417 or
tvortherms@pressherald.com
Twitter: TaylorVortherms
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