The Biddeford softball team for 8 to 10-year olds celebrates after beating Westbrook to stay alive in the state tournament (SAM BONSEY/Journal Tribune)

BIDDEFORD — For the past seven weeks, the Biddeford Little League Softball team has worked on getting around on pitches to try and hit the ball up the middle.

That hard work paid off for third basemen Madison Roy in the most important moment.

Roy broke a tie in the top of the sixth inning with a two-run double to center field, Kayla Magnant threw a complete game and Biddeford staved off elimination in the Little League Softball state tournament for 8 to 10-year olds with a 5-4 over Westbrook in Biddeford.

“I’m so excited for (Madison),” said Biddeford coach Andy Donovan said. “She’s been hitting to the right side of the field for the last few weeks, and she’s been working really hard on getting around on the ball … Sure enough, all that preparation paid off. I’m super proud of her, and it shows what hard work can do.”

The teams face off in the decisive championship today at 5:30 p.m. at May Street Field. Westbrook entered Wednesday’s game with an undefeated record in the double-elimination style tournament. 

Magnant struck out eight batters and settled into an early groove, punching out four straight during a stretch that spanned the second and third innings as Biddeford took a 3-0 lead. But Westbrook tied the score with three runs in the fourth on a two-run single from Avery Campbell and an infield RBI Avery Childs.

Westbrook didn’t go down without a threat in the bottom of the sixth.

After Magnant got Addison DeRoche to ground out to Corrine Romano, Emma Boulette singled up the middle to give Westbrook life. Boulette then stole second base and scored on a single to left from Childs to cut it to 5-4. 

Campbell came up to the plate, representing the winning run, and hit a sharp line drive toward first that looked like trouble for Biddeford. But, first baseman Mariah Villandry snagged the liner, and tagged out Childs, who was caught off the base to end the game.

“I definitely had to catch my breath for a second (on that last play),” Donovan said. “I’m proud of them, I love them. They gave me a few gray hairs, but this is what they play for. I love it.”

With the tournament’s final game being at Biddeford’s home field, Donovan feels confident about his team’s chances.

“I love where we’re at,” he said. “We’re in Biddeford. This is our house and we’re going to do our best to defend it.”