DANFORTH- The East Grand Vikings softball team started slow Thursday afternoon, but was able to get the bats going and got an 11 strikeout performance from Hailey Shay to pick up a 15-6 Class D North win over Highview Christian Academy.
Highview quickly broke on top 4-0 in the top of the first, highlighted by a two run single from Cassidy Lessner and an RBI single from Rachel Pomerleau.
Highview extended the lead to 6-1 in the top of the second, when Pomerleau struck again with a two run single. From that point forward, it was all Vikings.
East Grand tallied four runs in the second to cut the lead to 6-5, and then put together a big six run fourth that broke open a tie game and made it 12-6. Highview only had one base runner in the final four innings.
Malorie Gilman had a pair of hits and four RBI to lead East Grand (4-2). Shay helped her own cause with three RBI. Natalie Golding had a pair of hits and two RBI. Emily Russell also chipped in with a pair of RBI, and Jennifer Crone walked five times and scored three runs.
Walks were the issue for the visiting Knights. Highview (2-3) walked 17 East Grand batters. Lessner took the loss in the circle in relief of starting freshman Javona Philbrick. Lessner went four innings, allowing nine runs, five hits, and had five strikeouts.
Shay went seven innings to pickup the win for the Vikings, allowing six runs, five hits, with eight walks, and 11 strikeouts. East Grand returns to action Tuesday when they travel to play Southern Aroostook at 4 p.m. Highview travels to Rangeley for a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m.
HCA (2-3) 4 2 0 0 0 0 0- 6 5 1
EGH (4-2) 1 4 1 6 3 0 x- 15 7 0
Shay and Gilman, Philbrick, Lessner and McDonald
WP- Shay LP- Lessner
Left on base- Highview 7, East Grand 9
