SACO — The game seemed as if it would go on forever.

For over eight innings of play, both the Thornton Academy and Biddeford softball teams could only muster two hits apiece.

But out of nowhere in the bottom of the ninth, the Golden Trojans strung together three consecutive hits, with Kristen Duross smacking a base hit up the middle to score Morgan Dube and escape with a 1-0 win over the Tigers on Monday afternoon.

The game was an opportunity both teams needed. Thornton had its wind taking out of its sails Saturday in a 5-2 loss to Scarborough, while the Tigers were upset in a 6-3 contest to Massabesic, which was also played on Saturday.

“I think it was a win both teams needed,” Thornton pitcher Julia Geaumont said. “We knew it was going to be a battle for who wanted it more, and every single girl showed up to play today, we were mentally prepared. Offensively, I think we could have been more aggressive, but it came in the later innings. Defensively, I think we were very sound.”

With the win, Thornton pulls its record to 6-1 on the season, while Biddeford drops to 6-2.

The storyline of the game was the pitchers duel between Geaumont and Biddeford hurler Sarah Gilblair. Both showed why they’re two of the best pitchers in York County on Monday.

Gilblair struck out 10 batters in the contest, allowing five hits, three which came in the final inning. Geaumont struck out seven and allowed two hits, while battling frustration and multiple jams to keep the shutout, ending the game with a pitch count of 147.

“I knew if I let it get to my head, I wasn’t going to pitch well,” Geaumont said. “I just tried to focus on me and the catcher, and not let the situations or the [umpire’s] calls get in my head and pitch my pitches, do what I had to do.”

Tigers head coach Leon Paquin gave credit to Thornton after the game.

“They made plays today, so you have to take your hats off to them,” Paquin said. “When they do that, when they make plays like that and pitch like that, they’ll win a lot of games.”

Biddeford had a chance to take the lead in the top of the eighth inning, as Geaumont walked three consecutive batters to load the bases. With two outs, Geaumont nearly plunked Kristina McCurry with a pitch, which would have brought in a run, but McCurry jumped high to avoid the low and in pitch. Moments later, McCurry would ground out to Thornton shortstop Lauren Titus to get out of the inning.

“I was nervous, but I knew I was going to get it done,” Geaumont said. “I had solid defense behind me, and all the faith in myself.”

Titus led the bottom of the ninth with a base hit to right field. Geaumont, one of Trojans’ best hitters, would be next, and laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Titus to second. However, as Gilblair fielded the ball, no one was on first, giving Geaumont an infield single with no outs.

Titus was replaced for Dube as a pinch runner, before Duross stroked a fastball into center field to score Dube and win the contest.

“I think we had a lot of energy with that loss to Scarborough,” Duross said. “We knew we had to bounce back. Plus, they’re our rivals, so we knew we had to come out and beat them.”

Duross finished as the only player on either side with a multiple hit, going 2 for 3 in the game.

Both teams are in the midst of a big week. Thornton spars with defending Class A champs South Portland on Thursday, while the Tigers take on perennial Class A powerhouse Scarborough on Wednesday.

“I think the win is really big, because we have South Portland on Thursday, so I think we have momentum now,” Duross said. “I feel like we’ll bring that momentum with us on Wednesday and Thursday.

— Contact Dave Dyer at 282-1535 ext. 318 or follow on Twitter @ Dave_Dyer