Deer Isle—The girls softball team lost their semifinal playoff game to powerhouse Penobscot Valley 14-2 on Saturday, June 8. We needed to play our best game and we were a bit flat. Taylor Hardy pitched a good game, getting five strikeouts and giving up six hits, but 10 walks gave PVHS too many base runners. We didn’t have errors in the field but weren’t able to throw out runners on the bases. Lily Gray got our only hit for an RBI. We did put the bat on the ball but hit the ball right to defenders. It was a tall order and PVHS pitcher Leine McKechnie was dialed in allowing only one hit and three walks.
Sometimes the best game is not the last one. This was the case as we upset number 3 Southern Aroostook 10-9 in 9 innings for our quarterfinal win on Wednesday, June 5. It was a back and forth thriller where we kept playing catch up and trailed by a run in the top of the seventh. With one out, Kaylee Morey doubled, stole third, and Makayla Lebel doubled her home to tie it up.
The Deer Isle-Stonington softball team huddles up before the start of an inning during a game earlier this season. Photo by Jack Scott
Lily Gray led of the top of the ninth with a single. Kaylee Morey was intentionally walked but Makayla Lebel made them pay with a double to bring Lily and Kaylee home. Kristin Thompson drove home Makayla with a fielder’s choice groundout. SA scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth before Makayla Lebel threw out a runner from left field trying to make it to third base to end the game. What a playoff performance by Makayla!
Makayla Lebel led us with three doubles and five RBIs and Kaylee Morey had a triple and a double, scoring five runs and being intentionally walked twice. Kaley Eaton had a big day at first with 12 putouts and a great catch in foul territory to double up a runner. Taylor Hardy pitched well, with two strikeouts and five hits along with 12 walks in nine innings.
Overall, we had an excellent season. All the goals that Coach Hollan Oliver set at the beginning of the season were accomplished and then some. We wanted to make the playoffs and win a quarterfinal game, which we did. We had the bad luck to face powerhouse Penobscot Valley in the semifinals.
Deer Isle-Stonington third baseman Brittany Gray tags a runner during the team’s prelim game against Jonesport on June 4. Photo by Jack Scott
We worked hard on hitting and we had many players who came up with big hits all through the season. Our fielding was very strong, and we committed very few errors in the field. Taylor Hardy worked hard on her pitching, giving us a great performance all season long. All the better teams in softball have a consistent designated pitcher, so her continued hard work will help establish us at the top of Class D next year.
We lose four starters to graduation, leaving room for many players who have been waiting in the wings to step up and take their place. That means three of the four infielders will need to be replaced next season. This is a task that we are up to and with the battery of Taylor Hardy and Kaylee Morey experienced and ready to go, we should start quickly next year.
Coach Hollan Oliver felt that this was an incredible season. She was grateful for the support of the fans, help from parents, assistant coaches, and the administration throughout the season. The girls worked hard on what the coaches asked for, which is the most any coach could hope for. In her first year as head coach, Coach Oliver has transferred her enthusiasm and knowledge to this motivated group, which will only get better moving forward.