SACO – The Thornton Academy softball team is now more than halfway through its regular season, and the Golden Trojans are still undefeated after an 11-3 win over visiting Kennebunk on Monday afternoon.
The Trojans were able to defeat the Rams by scoring early and scoring often.
“We did pretty good – we came out strong with the bats and defensively we held our own,” said Thornton Academy senior Olivia Howe. “It was a good game. They were competitive, and they have a good team.”
During the first inning, Abby Miner knocked in Jenica Botting with a single and Hannah Collins produced another run on an RBI groundout. Then, Thornton Academy built up their lead.
In the third, the Trojans scored five runs, including a pair of two-RBI hits by Madison Vachon and Sarah Casey.
“Good game – great pitching, good hitting and just a good day,” said Thornton coach John Provost.
In the fourth inning, the Trojans earned another run as Howe sent Jenna Lavallee across home plate.
Thornton Academy tacked on three runs in the fifth inning on RBI hits from Bottling and Howe to push its advantage to 11-0.
The Rams made a late rally, scoring three runs in the sixth, when Emily Hogue and Lydia Howarth both registered RBIs.
“The fact that they didn’t give up – I’m very proud of that. However, there’s a lot of things that we need to (clean) up,” said Kennebunk coach Eddie Pike. “A lot of mental mistakes in areas that we need to take care of and those are going to eliminate those bad innings that we keep experiencing.”
Howe got the start on the mound for Thornton Academy. The senior allowed three runs on three hits over seven innings.
“My pitcher (was instrumental),” said Provost. “She threw a lot of strikes, had three hits and had a great changeup today, kept them off balance – had a great game.”
Pike agreed with the Trojans’ coach.
“She’s a very good pitcher – we need to start streaming better at-bats against her,” he said.
Howarth took the loss for the Rams. She went four innings, surrendering seven runs on eight hits.
The Trojans had 13 hits in the game as a team. Howe, Miner and Botting each had multiple base knocks.
Hogue, Howarth and Olivia Durham all had one hit to lead the Rams.
The Trojans improve to 8-0 while the Rams drop to 1-6.
“We just have to forget about today, take the positives from today and take that into (our next game),” said Pike.
The Trojans will look to continue their perfect season but several worthy obstacles remain.
“We have a really tough week coming up with Noble, Massabesic and Marshwood,” said Howe. “It’s going to be tough; we’re going to be challenged in those games but hopefully we can stay solid and hit the ball.”
— Sports Writer Sienna Barstow can be reached at sbarstow@journaltribune.com or at 780-9018. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports
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