BREWER– The Penobscot Valley High School (PVHS) Howlers had to work overtime to claim their second straight regional softball championship. It was worth the wait for the Howlers as Leine McKechnie capped off an incredible day with a three run homer in the 10th inning to lift the Howlers to a 7-2 win over Southern Aroostook in the Maine Principals’ Association class D North regional final at Coffin Field on Wednesday night.
McKechnie shined in the circle as she has all season for the Howlers. She struck out 21 batters while allowing only three hits, one walk, and two runs.
“She (McKechnie) is a very talented young athlete. This is her number one sport of course but she also excels in all other sports,”PVHS coach Patrick Leonard said. “She is a fun young lady to coach. The future is very bright for her.”
The Warriors jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Sydney Brewer ripped a triple to right field and scored on a bunt single from Kacy Daggett. The Howlers responded quickly in the top of the third inning. Emma Buck started things with a single, stole second base, and came around to score on a Lexi Ireland single. PVHS hasn’t trailed much this season, so bouncing back was important for Leonard and his squad.
“That was big time important. I didn’t see them being deflated in any way. We were in that position in the quarterfinal game.”Leonard said. “Stearns (in the quarterfinals) made us bend but we came right back. Same thing with Southern Aroostook today. They made us bend but we snapped right back.”
Kylie Vining in the circle for the Warriors and McKechnie for the Howlers each cruised through the middle innings. McKechnie went through a stretch where she retired 14 straight, during that span she struck out 13 of the 14 she faced. Vining faced the minimum 12 hitters from the fifth through the eighth inning. While the defense didn’t need to do a lot, they came through when they were needed. Ryley Buck made a nice play at shortstop in the ninth inning, while Emma Buck and Morgan Banks made plays in the outfield in the 10th inning.
“Ry had an awesome play at shortstop. Great catches all around,”Leine McKechnie aid. “It is great being a pitcher knowing you have the defense behind you.”
PVHS took a lead in the ninth inning. Vining didn’t issue a walk through eight innings. PVHS worked four walks in the final two innings, including two in the ninth. Ireland received one of those walks to lead off the inning. She came around to score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Kortney McKechnie.
It looked like the Howlers were going to close things out in the ninth inning. Vining wasn’t ready to call it a night. With the Warriors down to their final strike, Vining drilled a ball up the middle to bring Paige Vose home to even the score at two.
http://easternmainesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_0210.mov“If I had it all over again. I would have listened to my assistant coach. He brought it to my attention that we probably should walk her. I said that I was going to go with my pitcher. The Vining girl came through,”Leonard said. “Then what happened was my girls bailed me out. I am so thankful for that.”
PVHS responded quickly just as they did early in the game. Erynn Williams started the 10th inning with a walk. The Buck sisters (Emma and Ryley) came through with back to back hits, including Ryley sending Williams home with the eventual game winning run. The fun didn’t stop there for the Howlers as McKechnie capped that rally with her blast that went over the fence. The sophomore with a strong arm and a big bat struck out three times earlier in the game against Vining. McKechnie retired the side in order in the bottom of the 10th, including registering her 21st strikeout for the final out.
http://easternmainesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_0212.mov“My coaches told me I was trying to kill the ball way too much. I was trying way too hard on my swings. I just needed to go up and just swing,”Leine McKechnie said. “I went up in the box, just didn’t think about it and just swung the bat. The results ended up how I wanted them to.”
Kortney McKechnie led the offense with three of the Howlers eight hits. Emma Buck had two hits. PVHS will take on Greenville in the class D state game on Saturday at noon at Coffin field.
