FREEPORT – As far as season openers go, this one was in midseason form.
Oh, the weather was typical of early-season games, rain falling — either in a steady drizzle or a brief downpour — and temperatures dropping.
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But the Yarmouth and Freeport High softball teams displayed none of the typical early-season jitters, getting stellar pitching, timely hitting and playing pretty good defense.
In the end, Yarmouth was able to hang on to a 4-3 victory, holding off a last-inning rally that saw the tying run get to second.
“It was cold, it was hard for the kids to stay fresh, but they made the plays,” said Yarmouth Coach Jim Senecal. “We’re a very young team, with sophomores and freshmen all over the place. It was a good start to the season.”
Yarmouth junior pitcher McKenzie Gray allowed six hits (with two strikeouts) in outdueling Freeport junior Leigh Wyman, who allowed only five (with eight strikeouts). Gray was helped by two inning-ending double plays.
“We’ve been practicing our defense a lot,” said Gray. “We knew we had to be ready for this one.”
Gray started the first double play, snaring a line drive and throwing to first to end the second. Then Freeport had runners on second and third with one out in the third when Yarmouth shortstop Alexa Sullivan caught a line drive and doubled the runner off third.
“They shut us down in certain instances,” said Carrie Green, Freeport’s first-year coach, “but overall I’m really pleased. We’re working on our confidence and jelling as a team, and coming together. And I think this was a well-played game by both teams.”
Gray had the big hit for Yarmouth. With the score 1-1, she drove a pitch to center field for a two-out, two-run double, a ball that was just out of the reach of the diving center fielder, Dani Perry.
Yarmouth made it 4-1 in the sixth when Monica Austin doubled and eventually scored on a passed ball.
Freeport came back with two in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Wyman smacked an RBI triple, scoring three pitches later on a single to right by Lexi Deitrich, who advanced to second on a wild pitch. But Gray got out of it on an pop-up to first baseman Melissa Levinson.
“I’m pretty pleased seeing that we have so many young players and everyone is in new positions,” said Gray. “I don’t think people have high expectations for a young team. This is a really good way to start.”
Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:
mlowe@pressherald.com
Twitter: MikeLowePPH
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