Penobscot Valley scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning on Tuesday evening, and held on to defeat Southern Aroostook 3-2 in the Class D North Softball Regional Championship game played at Pierre & Catherine Labat Softball Complex on the campus of the University of Maine in Orono.
The Warriors struck first in that third inning to take the lead. Hope Curry and Skyla Lewis both hit RBI singles for a 2-0 advantage. Back came the Howlers in the bottom half to provide the difference in the game. After a leadoff walk by Paxtyn King, #9 hitter Abby Farley hit one to centerfield that was misplayed for an error. She got credit for one RBI on the play, but would come all the way around the bases on the miscue to also score and knot the contest at 2-2. With one out, Lila Cummings tripled but an error by the shortstop on the relay would allow her to take off from third base and come across the plate that ended up being the game winning run.
Curry led #5 Southern Aroostook in the defeat with two hits and one RBI. Curry and Lewis also each stole a base. Farley had two hits and one RBI for Penobscot Valley. The Howlers stole seven bases, including two a piece for Cummings, Lauren Veino, and Lilly Hallett. Both pitchers were strong in their complete games in the circle. Brooke Shields allowed three runs on three hits with four walks and 11 strikeouts for SAHS, while Veino stuckout 13 while giving up two runs on four hits with just one walk for PVHS. The Warriors finish as runner-up with a record of 11-6. The #2 Howlers, now 17-0, will take on either North Yarmouth Academy or Buckfield in the state championship game on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at the University of Maine. That South Regional Final was suspended by rain in the second inning and will restart on Wednesday. NYA has won the last two Class D state crowns, including a 2-1 victory over PVHS last year.
