WESTBROOK – The Westbrook Blue Blazes softball team improved to 4-4 on the season by beating the Windham Eagles (2-5) 11-1 on Wednesday afternoon. Kayla Tibbetts got the win for the Blazes, pitching a complete game three-hitter.

After suffering back-to-back one-run losses to Kennebunk and Cheverus, the Blue Blazes bats could not be silenced any longer. The Blazes would have to battle through some early adversity however, as shaky defense, coupled with seeing-eye singles by the Eagles, put them behind early.

Windham’s Katelyn Tucker got the Eagles on the board first in the top half of the first inning, driving in Nicole Giampino. The Eagles threatened to strike again in the top of the second after Haley Plante and Giampino both reached on errors.

Tibbetts, however, would not allow the defense’s struggles to hinder her approach as she worked out of the jam after inducing a grounder by Tucker back to the mound.

“She was getting ground ball outs and we weren’t making the plays behind her,” said Westbrook coach Dee Allen. “As a pitcher that’s really tough but she stayed mentally tough and mentally focused. She did her job, which was to hit her spots and throw strikes. That allowed us to stay in the game and gave us a chance. That’s when our bats started to come around.”

The Blazes bats caught fire in the bottom of the third inning. After making a terrific play on a sliding catch in leftfield to end the top of the inning, Westbrook freshman Heather Bailey kickstarted the Blue Blazes offense.

Bailey lined a single up the middle, over the head of Eagles’ pitcher Sarah Richards, and scored the Blazes first run after Haley Berry doubled to right field.

Nicole Nutter, who reached on a walk, would score what would prove to be the winning run on an infield single by Katie Clark.

Kerrigan Demers would add a two-RBI double before Richards was pulled in favor of Tucker.

After Paige Fogg reached on an error, Tibbetts stroked an RBI single to center. Just like that, it was 5-1 Blue Blazes.

“Hitting is contagious,” said Allen. “Once one person got up the next one got up and just started ripping the ball. I know it helps our defense too when we’re hitting. They don’t feel as much pressure.”

After the Blazes rally in the bottom of the third, Tibbetts found her groove, only allowing three base runners the rest of the game.

“You just have to stay focused as a pitcher,” said Tibbetts. “It’s really tough sometimes but you just have to keep your head in it. Once we scored a few runs we were all set, it picked everyone’s energy up”

The Blue Blazes gave Tibbetts more insurance in the bottom of the fourth thanks to RBI singles by Clark, Bailey and Fogg, making it 10-1.

Haley Berry scored the final run of the contest in the bottom of the fifth on a wild pitch after tripling to right center.

“This was a big game for us,” said Allen. “I thought we came out shaky with the errors but I liked the way we battled back from that. And they hit the ball well today.”

Windham’s Sasha Van Barrs prepares to offer at a Kayla Tibbetts pitch in the top of the fourth inning during the Eagles’ 11-1 loss. Van Barrs collected one of only three hits surrendered by Tibbetts. (Staff photo by Nate Boroyan)