The Highview Christian Academy Knights softball team from Charleston were able to make school history Thursday afternoon in their Class D North quarterfinal in Dyer Brook against the second seeded Southern Aroostook Community School Panthers.
Highview came away with a 16-11 win, marking the first time any team in any sport at the Academy has won a quarterfinal game, since the school was established in 1994.
#10 Highview (9-8) was able to build a commanding 11-2 lead over the home Panthers in the fifth and withstood a SACS rally to advance to the semifinals for the first time ever.
Three Knights players had three hits each as Highview pounded out 15 hits on the day. Kelsea McDonald had two singles, a double and four RBI. Cassidy Lessner had three singles and three RBI. Kelsi Upham had three singles. Cece Allard had two hits and three RBI as well and McDonald, Upham and Rachel Pomerleau also scored three runs a piece.
For the homestanding Panthers who end their season at 10-5, freshman pitcher Kylie Vining had a grand slam and a two run homer and six RBI to pace the offensive attack. Marissa Boulier had two singles and a double and Rebecca Crandall scored three runs.
McDonald also earns the pitching win going seven innings, allowing 11 runs, 13 hits, six walks and six strikeouts. Vining took the loss in the circle for the Panthers also going seven, allowing 16 runs, 15 hits, nine walks and 10 strikeouts.
Coach Matt McDonald spoke about his team after the game, “We played today as a team. We put the bat on the ball and ran the bases hard and smart. Defensively, we stayed focused and got the job done. We knew today as we left for the game from Charleston, that they (SACS) was number two for a reason and we needed to stay together as a team and play our ‘A’ game”.
Highview Christian will now advance to Mondays semifinal game in Madawaska against the Owls at 2 p.m. McDonald when asked about his teams chances of continuing the history this season said, “Our confidence level is extremely high and we are very excited to head to Madawaska Monday”.
Highview (9-8) 0 0 3 3 5 0 5- 16 15 2
So. Arstk (10-5) 0 0 1 1 5 0 4- 11 13 4
WP- K. MCDonald LP- Vining
