A couple of miscues in the bottom of the sixth broke the pitchers’ duel that had gone on for most of Friday’s regional quarterfinal softball match-up between Gorham and South Portland.
The Red Riots took advantage, putting three runs on the board, and then their hard-throwing pitcher shut the door, eliminating the Rams, 3-0, on a drizzle-filled afternoon at Wainwright Field.
“It came down to one at-bat, and we didn’t get the break,” said Gorham coach Peter Walker. “We only had two runners on base, and you’ve got to get on to score.”
DiMatteo, a southpaw sophomore, let up just one hit and walked one, while striking out eight.
The hit, a single up the middle by Sara Burnheimer in the fifth, was immediately nullified when she tried to grab an extra base after South Portland center fielder Christina Aceto bobbled the ball. Aceto recovered quickly and threw Burnheimer out.
It wasn’t the first time that the Riots junior had stymied the Rams second baseman. Back in the second inning she made a running catch on a hard-hit ball off Burnheimer’s bat.
Aceto would also have a key at-bat in South Portland’s big inning.
Gorham pitcher Tammie Arsenault had just scattered a pair of singles and given up one walk when Jackie Rice took a one-out free pass in the sixth. Aceto bunted to move the baserunner over, but third baseman Caitlyn Butterfield’s throw got by first baseman Maura Brady, and the hosts had runners on second and third.
With the infield in, Jamie Harmon slapped a grounder into the hole for her second single of the game, sending home Rice and Aceto. Harmon went to second on the throw home and then took third when DiMatteo grounded out.
Rams shortstop Rachele Burns fielded Libby King’s bouncer, but the throw caught Brady off first, allowing Harmon to score. With DiMatteo throwing heat, that would be more than enough for the Riots.
“Julie is a stud. To me she’s the best pitcher in the state,” said South Portland coach Jim Hartman. “She guts it out. She didn’t have her rise ball because of the conditions.”
Arsenault, a junior, was tough as well, giving up just three hits and two walks, while striking out five.
“I’m very disappointed. This was my season,” said misty-eyed Gorham senior Anna Willis. “I really wanted to go far and shine. I had high expectations.”
The Rams finished the season at 11-7.
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