KENNEBUNK — With a Class A state championship target squarely on their red South Portland jerseys, the Riots’ players took their offseason and preseason very seriously.

And it’s paid off.

The Riots improved to 2-0 Monday with their second impressive victory, pounding a good Kennebunk team 13-0 in six wet and dreary innings.

And the Riots, who have outscored their opponents 24-0, want to get even better.

“We know we have that bulls-eye on us,” said first baseman Amanda Linscott, who had four hits, two RBI and two runs scored.

South Portland led 10-0 after three innings and finished with 16 hits. Catcher Katlin Norton had three hits and drove in six runs, three coming on a thunderous home run that cleared the left field fence by at least 30 feet. She also scored four runs, reaching on a walk.

“We’re really confident at the plate,” said Norton, who couldn’t play in the field last year because of an injury. “And that’s the big thing, to be confident.”

And to keep working. “We came into the season better prepared this year,” said Linscott. “We’ve worked hard on our hitting. We know there are a lot of good pitchers out there.”

South Portland started quickly in the rain. Danielle DiBiase led off with a single, followed by a double by Erin Bogdanovich. After an out, Norton singled in two runs, taking second on the throw home. She scored on a single by winning pitcher Alexis Bogdanovich and it was 3-0.

South Portland added four in the second, two coming on a single by Kelsey Morton, and three in the third on Norton’s home run.

“That’s the way we want to play,” said Riots Coach Ralph Aceto. “We want to go up there swinging the bat.”

And that was more than enough for Alexis Bogdanovich, who allowed only two singles to Maddy Kasprzak. She walked only one and struck out 10, giving her 27 in two games.

“Her pitches are better this year,” said Norton.

Kennebunk Coach Jim Lang said his young players were nervous taking on the defending champs.

“Absolutely,” he said. “I told the girls to just go out and be loose and relax. But no matter what you say, it’s hard for a lot of these young girls playing in their first varsity game to shake those nerves off.”

The Riots scored three runs in the top of the sixth and then Bogdanovich set down the Rams to finish the game because of the 12-run rule.

“We lost some good players,” said Aceto. “But those that are back are all a year older. And we’re really swinging the bat.”

 

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at: mlowe@pressherald.com