SACO – When you have the best high school softball program around, it’s not always easy to get excited. Thursday, however, Scarborough High’s players had no trouble getting ready for Thornton Academy.

“We knew going in this could be anyone’s game,” said Melissa Dellatorre, Scarborough’s senior pitcher. “They’ve got a good pitcher and some good hitters. I was a little nervous.”

But in the end, the Red Storm showed once again why they are so good. Jenn Colpitts had four hits to lead another powerful offensive outburst as unbeaten Scarborough handed Thornton Academy its first loss, 8-3.

Scarborough knocked out 15 hits and capitalized on four errors to improve to 7-0. Thornton dropped to 5-1.

“We know we can play with anyone but we’ve got to make the plays,” said Thornton Coach John Provost. “When you give a great team extra outs, at some point you’re going to pay.”

Scarborough sealed the win with three runs in the sixth, aided by two errors. Heather Carrier, Abby Rutt and Dominique Burnham had RBI singles in that inning.

“I’m really pleased,” said Scarborough Coach Tom Griffin. “We kept coming at them, kept coming at them, kept coming at them. We kept putting them on their heels.

“We needed to see a quality team and a quality pitcher, and we did. I was very impressed with Thornton.

“But we talked about keeping out of big innings by not making the little mistakes or giving up walks. And we did that.”

Scarborough took a 1-0 lead in the first when Colpitts, who had four hits, four stolen bases, three runs and an RBI, singled and scored on a two-out double by Rutt.

Thornton came back to put runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the inning. But Dellatorre, who had nine strikeouts and just one walk, struck out the next two batters to escape.

“If we put those runs on the board, it’s a different game,” said Provost.

Instead, Scarborough had control. The Red Storm scored three times in the third, sparked by a leadoff triple by Marissa O’Toole. Colpitts and Carrier had RBI singles.

Thornton came back with a two-run homer by Sammi Martemucci, a long drive over the center-field fence. Dellatorre settled down after that.

“She made a nice adjustment in the game,” said Griffin. “They hit a couple of risers and we stopped using them. We started featuring her drop, and at 43 feet that’s a tough adjustment for the batters to make.”

For the Trojans, it was a good effort against the measuring stick in the SMAA.

“It was definitely a learning experience and it will help us,” said Martemucci.

As it will the Red Storm, who survived another test.

“Thornton’s a good team,” said Colpitts. “We had to make sure we were ready to compete and play our best ball.”

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:

mlowe@pressherald.com