Kayla Winton’s bases-loaded single brought in a pair of runs for Westbrook’s 11-year-old Little League softball all-stars in the fourth inning Saturday, and it looked at that moment as if the team’s offense might have enough punch to come back against Saco in the best-of-three state championship series.
However, pitcher Katie Kalagias regained the form she displayed in the first few innings and slammed the door closed, giving Saco their first Little League state crown in that city’s history, 18-5.
“We fought back,” said Westbrook manager Brian Knott, whose squad was shutout in the opening game of the series Friday, “but their pitching was just too tough.”
Indeed, Kalagias struck out eight and, outside of Westbrook’s big inning, gave up only two hits and one run.
Saco burst out of the gate with five runs in the first inning and four more in the second. Jessica Harris was the most effective of Westbrook’s four pitchers, throwing two-plus innings and keeping her opponent’s bats relatively quiet. In the third she set Saco down in order.
In the meantime, Westbrook got on the board in the bottom of that inning when Olivia Marsden singled, stole two bases and scored on a groundout. Then the girls in blue came up one inning later and pounded the ball.
Megan Niehoff, who was on base in each of her three plate appearances, singled solidly to right center, advanced on a wild pitch and then stole third. She scored when Melissa Pettis reached safely on an error.
The hit parade continued with Marsden, Harris and Winton all smacking the ball. Saco’s lead was just 10-5 after four.
A pair of nice defensive plays kept Westbrook’s momentum going. Niehoff, the third baseman, caught a rocket off the bat of Chrissy Remmes to start the third inning, while left fielder Kaylee Taylor was in perfect position to catch a liner and double up a runner off third base with a heads-up throw to Niehoff to end the fourth.
Saco regained their composure and scored eight runs in the top half of the fifth, and Westbrook could muster little offense against Kalagias in the bottom of the frame.
“We finally got to the pitcher,” Knott said, “but she brought her heat back and that did us in.”
“Katie had one of the best outings I’ve seen her have,” said Saco manager John Duranceau, “but we also had the bats and some real smart baserunning.”
The Westbrook girls, who topped three other teams to take the District 6 title, felt good about their performance in the championship series.
“We tried our best, but we didn’t win,” Harris said. “Everybody on the Saco team did well, and everybody on their team deserved it.”
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