Bucksport is crowned Class C North softball campion after defeating Mattanawcook Academy, 3-1, on Tuesday.
BREWER, Maine – The No. 2 Bucksport High School Golden Bucks captured the 2016 Class C North softball title on Tuesday by defeating the No. 4 Mattanawcook Academy Lynx, 3-1, in a rematch of last years Eastern Maine championship.
Bucksport won the final against Mattanawcook last year, 6-2, but were entering this game with new talent, most notably on the mound. Last year, Sami Goode gave up only three hits to a high-powered Lynx offense that averaged 12.3 runs per game.
Sophomore Katelin Saunders stepped up to fill the hole after Goode graduated. Saunders hadn’t allowed a run and had racked up a combined 23 strikeouts in a 12-0 victory over No. 10 Dexter in the quarterfinals and a 6-0 victory over No. 3 Limestone/MSSM in the semifinals.
“She has every pitch going, and she can throw them for strikes,” said Bucksport coach, Mike Carrier. “You don’t find a young lady that has that much control as a sophomore.”
Saunders added 12 strikeouts in her complete game victory on Tuesday, bringing her postseason total to 35. She did this without allowing a walk and giving up only two hits.
“I looked at the scores of the games that they played, and realized that a lot of teams weren’t scoring a lot of runs against her,” said Mattanawcook coach, Dean Libbey. “I assumed she was very quick and had good control, and she certainly proved that tonight.”
“We’re a pretty good hitting club, and she shut us down tonight,” added Libbey. “My hat is off to her.”
Bucksport’s offense was steady all game, but struggled to take advantage of key opportunities, including in the first and second inning when they left the bases loaded twice.
“The kids that were up at that time are really good hitters. It happens. It’s part of the game,” said Carrier.
“We hit her really well,” added Carrier. “We left twelve people on base. We just didn’t get the timely hit.”
Facing another two out, bases loaded situation in the third, the Bucks were able to deliver. Junior Emily Hunt hit a two run single to left off of Mattanawcook’s Haley McLaughlin that scored Kaylee Grindle and Hannah Ashmore.
Kim Voisine singled to lead off the top of the sixth for Mattanawcook. Cheyanne Libby doubled to drive her in after she was advanced on a sacrifice. Saunders regained control after that, striking out the next batter to end the inning and the Lynx offense.
Bucksport was able to get the run back in the bottom of the sixth, when senior Julia Zavalza hit a solo home run over the left field wall to seal the victory. Zavalza also singled in the first inning.
Bucksport celebrates Julia Zavalza’s solo home run in the sixth inning.
McLaughlin allowed three runs on nine hits and six walks in six innings for Mattanawcook. She finished with five strikeouts.
Mattanawcook ends their season with a 15-4 overall record. The Lynx beat Houlton, 14-9, in the quarterfinals after falling to them twice in the regular season, and beat Piscataquis Community High School in the semifinals, 14-8.
“I’m very pleased with what we’ve accomplished,” said Libbey. “It’s fun to be at the hardware store.”
With the victory, Bucksport advances to the Class C championship game, where they will face the top team from the South, the Madison Bulldogs. Madison won their regional final against No. 6 Lisbon, 12-0, on Tuesday.
Bucksport enters the state championship on an eight game winning streak. Their only loss of the season came on May 18 to Orono High School, 7-6.
The Golden Bucks are no strangers to championship games, and have won three of the last four Class C softball titles. Last year, Bucksport beat Telstar, 9-4. The previous two titles came in shutouts. They beat Madison, 7-0 in 2013, and Dirigo in 2012, 2-0.
“Every year it’s different because you have a different bunch of kids,” said Carrier. “The excitement level is high.”
The state championship game is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, and will be played at St. Joseph’s College.
