SACO — Robbie Ferrante didn’t mince words after Thornton Academy beat Portland 12-0 in a five-inning, combined no-hitter on Wednesday. 

The Bulldogs softball head coach told his team before Golden Trojans starter Olivia Howe threw her first pitch that they were in for a dogfight. He just hopes his pups take something away from the quality of their opponent’s performance.   

“We’re young,” Ferrante said. “That’s the best team we’re going to play. I’ve seen all the teams in the league, and (Thornton Academy) is the best team. I was just hoping they wouldn’t jump on us. Good teams do that.” 

And Thornton Academy (13-0) is a good team. 

Howe set the tone for the evening in the first, sending the Bulldogs down in order, one of a trio of 1-2-3 innings. The senior complimented an overpowering fastball with a changeup that kept Portland (3-5) hitters off-balanced. Howe didn’t allow a hit in four innings and struck out six before Michelle Patterson pitched a scoreless fifth in relief. 

Thornton Academy coach John Provost cited his team’s upcoming schedule — Friday at South Portland and Monday against Scarborough — as the reason why Howe came out during a no-hitter. He wants to keep his ace as fresh as he can heading into the postseason since he knows what she’s capable of doing for the team. 

“Just consistency,” Provost said. “She gives us a chance every time.” 

While Howe shutdown Portland’s offense, Thornton Academy’s lineup had no trouble at the plate. Bulldogs starter Jordan King, in her second career start, allowed five runs in the first on a three-run single by Abby Miner and a pair of hit batters with the bases loaded. King struggled with her command, hitting four batters and walking one. Ferrante relieved his young pitcher in the second after the first five Golden Trojans of the inning reached base and had tacked on two more runs. 

“This was a good experience,” said Ferrante who has started King against undefeated Scarborough and Thornton Academy. “I want her to learn from it. I thought she was throwing pretty well … she just got a little nervous.” 

Ferrante turned to his No. 1 starter, Jill Joyce, but he was hesitant to call on the senior due to a sore foot she’s dealt with lately, he said. 

“She told me, ‘I’ll get you out of there,’” Ferrante said. “That’s the type of player she is.”   

Thornton Academy added five more runs in the second — three of which were charged to King — on a sacrifice fly by Madison Vachon, an RBI single by Olivia Paradis, a two-run single courtesy of Kylie Lavalle and an error. The Golden Trojans mustered nine hits as a team in the game. Jenica Botting led Thornton Academy with two hits. Botting, Miner and Hannah Collins each scored a team-high two runs. 

Howe earned the win on the mound. 

“This is a great group of kids,” Provost said. “Five seniors, wonderful captains and leaders. They’ve been with me for four years … great group.” 

Joyce pitched the final three innings for Portland. She allowed two runs on three hits. 

Both coaches mentioned the playoffs after the game. The Bulldogs still have some work to accomplish to nab a postseason bid. The Golden Trojans sit comfortably in the field. 

If Thornton Academy gets past South Portland on Friday unscathed, they’ll enter Monday’s game against Scarborough — a rematch of last year’s Class A Regional Final contest that Thornton lost in extras — undefeated. 

“Any time you lose, you get motivated,” Provost said. “We just wanted to do what we do: Come back, play some defense and get to the playoffs and see what can happen.” 

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