WESTBROOK – The Westbrook 10-11 year-old softball all-stars capped off a memorable season in the best way possible, by capturing the Maine state championship this past weekend.

The girls from Westbrook swept the District 4 champions from Saco in two games, including a thrilling come-from-behind win in the second game to take the title in the first-ever Maine state tournament for Little League 10-11 year-old softball.

Westbrook claimed the championship by breaking open a close first game and running away with an 11-5 win and erasing a five-run deficit in game two to clinch the championship with an 11-9 win.

The first game was a close one until Westbrook’s offense exploded in the third inning, bashing Saco for six runs in the inning. The Westbrook girls showed good plate discipline during the rally, as the Saco pitching staff had trouble with control, and Westbrook exploited those chances with aggressive running on the basepaths.

But it wasn’t all offense in the first game for Westbrook, Alisha Aube was tough in the pitching circle, allowing just four hits in her outing and striking out eight Saco batters in picking up the win. Westbrook also got some huge defensive plays from third baseman Alexa Lynham and first baseman Naria Cavarretta to ensure that any potential Saco rally was quickly squashed.

With the first win under their belts, Westbrook needed just one more for the state championship, but they were going to have to earn it the hard way.

Lizzi Richardson started in the circle for Westbrook, and she got into some trouble early as Saco jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first inning. Richardson did settle down, but Saco did add single runs in the second and third to increase their lead to 7-2.

Coming up in the bottom of the third with the game dangerously close to slipping away, Westbrook’s offense finally woke up and plated four runs keyed by a huge clutch single from Riley Schumacher.

The runs seemed to give Richardson some confidence as she buckled down and kept Saco off the board in the fourth and fifth innings, getting some help from left fielder Rachel Gilbert and Chelsea Rairdon, who made two big plays on bunt attempts at third base.

Meanwhile, the Westbrook bats continued to pound the Saco defense and Westbrook took the lead by scoring two runs in the fourth and three more in the bottom of the fifth to take an 11-7 lead into the last inning.

But, as was the case throughout game two, it was going to be a fight to the finish for Westbrook as Saco refused to go down without a fight.

In the last inning, Saco quickly cut the lead to 11-8 with one out before Schumacher made a clutch catch on a hard-hit ball to left to get the second out of the inning, but Saco did score a run on the play to make it 11-9.

Saco then got runners on first and second with the lead run at the plate, but Richardson didn’t let the pressure get to her and got a soft liner to Rairdon at third to end the game as Westbrook players, parents, coaches, league officials and tournament volunteers celebrated the championship win.

The state title was the culmination of an unforgettable journey for this group of 13 young girls. Westbrook posted a perfect 5-0 record in the tournament and outscored their opponents by a combined 60-32 in their five games.

The Westbrook 10-11 year-old all-stars are: Delani McDonagh, Lizzi Richardson, Julia Symbol, Rachel Gilbert, Danielle Breunig, Chelsea Rairdon, Riley Schumacher, Alexis Fletcher, Naria Cavarretta, Alexa Lynham, Alisha Aube, Natalie Brackett and Arianna Giguere. Ed Symbol, Bob Gilbert and Joe Aube coach the team.

Additional material courtesy of Westbrook Little League

Copy the Story Link