BIDDEFORD — In a rival’s matchup of two bordering schools, the Thornton Academy softball team defeated the Biddeford Tigers by a score of 9-4 in a game that remained tight into the later innings, but ended in a flurry of scores from the Trojan squad.

Thornton junior Kaitlin Verreault dominated the stats sheet, with a leadoff homer in the first inning, followed by a crushed three-run shot to center her second time at the plate in the second inning, and finally a double in her third appearance, before flying out her fourth time at bat.

“That first home run was actually an outside pitch which I’m not very good with,” Verreault said. “But I came ready to play, I was super excited for this game since Biddeford is a rival, so we were all ready to go.”

Despite doubling Biddeford’s lead by game’s end, the competition remained close throughout most of the matchup, as the score sat at 5-4 heading into the sixth inning.

Runs were plentiful in the early innings, with Biddeford answering Verreault’s solo home run in the bottom of the first with two scores off a pair of singles and a wild throw. Thornton came back in the second however with Verreault’s second homer and a blooper single to notch four runs in the second.

Biddeford again answered their next time at bat to bring the score to 5-4 with a single, sacrifice groundout and a double to drive in two runs.

From there, the score stood stagnant until the sixth inning, when the Trojans scored three times off wild pitches, and again off an RBI single, bringing the score to 9-4

Biddeford head coach Mike Fecteau stated after the game he was pleased with the way the team hung close, but obviously desired a different outcome.

“Early on we got some big hits and we made some good plays defensively,” said Fecteau. “They just had those two home runs that were really big.”

He added that he has never questioned the team’s effort.

“The effort is always there, these girls work hard. Every game we’re right in the game and we seem to have that one tough inning that puts us away,” Fecteau said. “I’m very happy with the way we performed, but I’d really like to see a W.”

Despite the win, Thornton head coach John Provost said he’d liked to have seen a more convincing victory. 

“It was nice to start with the home run in the first inning,” Provost said. “We always expect a close game with Biddeford, but it was some sloppy defense on our part.”

The win places Thornton at 4-2 on the year, while the loss drops the Biddeford squad to 1-4.