BERWICK – Trailing Biddeford by a run in the bottom of the third inning, Noble junior Raegan Kelly stepped into the batters box and launched a solo homer over the left field fence.

The blast ignited the Knights’ offense which scored the next 10 runs en route to an 11-3 victory over the Tigers in a Class A South softball quarterfinal on Thursday.

“We don’t want anyone to come to our field and beat us,” said Kelly. “This could have been our last game of the season, but we didn’t want it to be. I think that really kicked in – we got the adrenaline going – and that’s when our bats came out.”

While it took a few innings for Noble to figure out Biddeford starter Lexi Matteau, Kelly kept the Knights in the game with six strikeouts over the first two innings. The Tigers pushed across the game’s first run in the third on an Anna Lavigne RBI single that scored Chantelle Bouchard from third.

Kelly’s home run in the bottom of the frame tied the score and then the Knights added a pair in the fifth on a double steal that scored senior Abby Lewis and an error that led to pinch-runner Giulanna DoCarmo crossing the plate. 

Noble took advantage of a Biddeford miscue in the fifth on a tough catch first baseman Taylor Wildes wasn’t able to corral that allowed Knights senior Kassidy Lessard to reach base. The drop, which would have more than likely been in time for the out, opened the floodgates. Eight of the next 10 Noble hitters reached base, and, when the inning’s final out was recorded, the scoreboard read 11-1.

“You got to make the plays,” said Biddeford coach Mike Fecteau. “If you don’t make the plays against a team like this, they’re going to capitalize … That team, they can hit the ball.”

Kelly and Lewis led Noble with two hits each. Bouchard had a game-high three hits. Kassidy Lessard, Emily Sanfacon both had two RBIs, and Kelly, Kelsey Lessard, Tianna Valle and Sammie Morrill had an RBI apiece. Bocuhard, Perreault and Lavigne accounted for Biddeford’s runs.

Kelly pitched a complete game, allowing three runs and striking out nine. The junior, said Noble coach Rick Melanson, dealt with flu-like symptoms all game. After Kelly allowed the first hitter of the game, Bouchard, to reach on a single to left field, she proceeded to record the next six outs via the punchout.

“With Reagan, if we score three or four runs, it’s going to be close,” Melanson said. “Usually, we’ll be on the winning side.”

Biddeford scored a pair of runs in the seventh to force Melanson to call timeout and talk one-on-one with his ace on the mound. He told Kelly that her teammates had her back. 

“I definitely get in my head a lot but (Coach) brought me back,” Kelly said. “That really gave me the confidence.”

Noble (15-2) awaits the winner of today’s matchup between Thornton Academy (15-1) and Windham (10-6).

Even after compiling 15 wins on the season, the Knights seem to be flying under the radar in the same bracket with powerhouses Scarborough and Thornton.

“Nobody is expecting us,” Melanson said. “We can beat any team in our league.”

Nights like Thursday, where the Knights received contributions throughout their lineup, only strengthen Noble’s confidence.

“I think (today was) huge for our team,” Lewis said. “I think we need to go into it with the same mindset that we did today and just go right at them.”

In defeat, Fecteau told his players they should be proud of their 11-win season and that there’s no reason to hang their heads.

“I’ve had so much fun coaching this group,” he said. “They do everything you ask … They always battled … They’ve represented our school and the city very well. It’s ‘Tiger Pride.’” 

 

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