NORTH BERWICK — Back on May 17, the Thornton Academy softball team gave the powerhouse Scarborough Red Storm their only true scare of the season in a 3-1 game that went to the defending state champions from Scarborough.
The girls from Thornton Academy will get one more shot at Scarborough in Tuesday’s Class A South regional final after the No. 3 Golden Trojans picked up an impressive 5-1 victory over No. 2 Noble in the semifinals on Saturday evening.
“We’re ready … let’s go,” said TA coach John Provost of the rematch with Scarborough.
The Trojans punched their ticket to the regional final thanks to big games from two of their stars. Katie Verreault went 3 for 4 with a home run and two doubles, and Louisa Colucci struck out 11 as she shut down the Noble offense from the circle and also helped herself with an RBI single.

“You have to give (Thornton Academy) credit,” said Noble coach Rick Melanson. “They came to play. Colucci pitched awesome … she was dominant.”
Verreault started a first-inning rally for TA as she smacked one of her two doubles. The Trojans would push two runs across in the inning against Noble ace Raegan Kelly and put the momentum squarely in their dugout.
“That set the tone in a hurry. The girls like playing with a lead and it gets a little bit of pressure off of Louisa,” said Provost.
Verreault’s hot hitting continued in the top of the second when the senior smashed a home run over the fence to give the Trojans a 3-0 lead.
The TA lead would expand to 4-0 in the fourth as Olivia Howe singled to start the inning and scored on an RBI single from Colucci.
Verreault nearly had her second home run of the game in the sixth when the standout hit a ball off the top of the fence. The TA third baseman scored later in the inning when Jenica Botting walked  and attempted to steal second base. Noble tried to get Botting at second, which allowed Verreault to easily score and make it 5-0.
Noble finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth. Kelly doubled with one out and scored on an RBI double from Mackenzie Aleva to make it 5-1.
Colucci worked around an error in the bottom of the seventh as she snared a liner back to the circle and made the easy throw to first to double up a Noble baserunner and end the game.
Provost was impressed with the work of Colucci in the circle and Botting behind the plate.
“Louisa and (Jenica) were just a tough combination today. Louisa threw a great game and (Jenica) called a great game and kept them off balance most of the game,” said Provost.
Verreault is excited to get another shot at Scarborough, which just happens to be her former team and where her younger sister Mollie plays.
“I can’t wait for that game. I can’t wait to play my little sister,” said Verreault, who transferred to TA after her sophomore season.
Provost knows Tuesday’s regional final will probably be another low-scoring affair — similar to the Trojans’ two-run loss to Scarborough a few weeks ago.
“That was a great game, too. It was a 3-1 game and we had opportunities there so we’re looking forward to the challenge,” Provost said.
Noble finishes the season with a 16-2 record and will have to replace seniors Aleva, Jordan Boucher, Lauren Sanger and Abbie Sprague.
“I’m proud of what they did. We had a great season. A 15-1 regular season and unfortunately we lost today. The kids played great all year,” said Melanson. “(The seniors) are all going to be tough to replace. They are just great kids.”
— 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.

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