Softball

Bonny Eagle 0

South Portland 1

South Portland pitcher Julie DiMatteo threw a complete-game shutout and drove in the contest’s only run as the Red Riots topped visiting Bonny Eagle in the Class A west regional semifinals, 1-0, Monday.

It was a tough loss for the Scots (14-4), a senior-laden squad whose season included a week in Florida for spring training.

“We’re a team. We win together and we lose together,” said Bonny Eagle coach Jan Corliss. “Those girls left it all on the field.”

South Portland (16-2) grabbed that one-run lead in the bottom of the first inning, and DiMatteo pitched out of several jams to make the margin stick.

“I think I get more warmed up as the game goes on,” the sophomore lefthander said.

The Scots started off quickly with consecutive two-out singles in the top of the first, but a ground ball ended the threat. The Riots answered with a rally and a run.

Jackie Rice singled with one out, and Christina Aceto grounded into what looked to be an inning-ending double play. Rice was out at second, but the throw to first was high and Aceto reached safely.

Jamie Harmon singled to move Aceto into scoring position. That was when DiMatteo ripped a single to give South Portland the 1-0 lead. Bonny Eagle pitcher Kaitlin Williams got the next batter to ground out to end the threat.

DiMatteo had to fend off several chances by the Scots over the next six innings. In the top of the second Jessica Nassetta started the inning with a base hit, and Williams laid down a bunt to move Nassetta to second.

Bonny Eagle had runners on second and third with just one out after a single and a throw to third. DiMatteo struck out Natasha Taylor for the second out but walked Sarah Violette to load the bases. The fireballing hurler got out of the jam by getting Kelly Johnson to ground out.

In the third a base running mistake by the Scots led to an inning-ending double play, and the fourth inning saw Bonny Eagle strand two more runners.

In the fifth she pitched around a lead off walk and got another inning ending double play. DiMatteo then set her opponents down in order in the sixth and seventh to earn the victory.

“She is a phenomenal pitcher,” said Riots coach Jim Hartman. “She’s thrown eight or nine shutouts.”

Williams was equally effective for Bonny Eagle. After the run in the first inning, she allowed no one else to score. She pitched out of trouble in the second inning after an error allowed a runner to advance to second, and in the third she retired the side in order.

“This is the most amazing team I’ve ever been on. We’re so close,” said Williams. “We can read each other on and off the field.”

In the fourth she gave up a two out single but got the next batter. She retired the side in order again in the fifth thanks to some great defense by Taylor in right field , who threw out a runner at first on what seemed a sure base hit.

“(Williams) kept us in the game, and our defense kept us in the game,” said Scots coach Jan Corliss. “Both teams played their hearts out. Both had opportunities. It could have been 5-0 as easy as 1-0.”