Brunswick High School softball coach Luke Potter knew coming into his rookie season that his Dragons were going to face struggles in the tough Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference.

And, he was right, with the one-sided losses mounting throughout the season. There have been nine 12-run Mercy Rule games, a couple 10-run losses, a 9-2 loss to rival Mt. Ararat and a narrow 6-5 loss to one-win Lewiston, which Brunswick faces today at 4 p.m. on the road.

No one, not even Potter, saw Tuesday’s down-to-the-lastout contest against Erskine Academy coming, especially after the Eagles rolled to 10-0 win at South China on April 30.

This time around, the Dragons rallied with seven, seventh inning runs, falling just short, 12-11. There were tears of joy, from the players, their parents and even a little bit of a watery eye for the coach, realizing his team took a big step.

“As I told them, there is nothing but pride and joy right now, especially after what we have come through, and we won today,” said Potter. “We played softball for seven innings and put the things that we have worked on all season into practice. I am so full of pride right now.

“This has been a very human experience in sports, where you can never anticipate what it feels like to have defeats like that. It is a credit to them to hang together and put the skills we have learned into use.”

A run explosion

Brunswick (0-14) had scored 14 runs all season before plating 11 on Tuesday. The Dragons had runners on base in all but one inning against Erskine pitcher Phoebe Cram (complete game, 13 hits, eight walks, five strikeouts) and left 12 runners on base.

And, Brunswick claimed its first advantage of the season, taking a 2-1 first-inning lead on a bases-loaded walk by KK Teel and a wild pitch, scoring Jena Libby.

“We haven’t been in situations where we had multiple opportunities, bases-loaded, two runners in scoring position, and that is a huge step for us and a lesson learned,” said Potter.

Down 12-4 in the seventh, Brunswick had seven hits, including a three-run double by Ashley Howell, and an RBI single each from Leah Andreotti, Kelly Bridges and Teel.

“It was unreal how well we supported each other, and the team wanted this game and we couldn’t have asked for a better game,” said Andreotti, who was 3-for-4, scored two runs and drove in a pair. “We are not feeling the loss right now.”

“It’s our desire to win, and it keeps getting better every time we play a game,” said Howell, who kept the seventh inning going with her threerun double along the left-field line. “This was a good accomplishment for us.”

Cram struck out the final Brunswick hitter to escape as Erskine improved to 7-6.

The Eagles scored in all seven innings against Teel, who walked 14, struck out two and permitted eight hits. Alyssa Gartley was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Alison Gauvin finished 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and an RBI.

Leading 7-4 in the sixth, Emma Robertson, Amber Grady and Cram walked to load the bases with one out for Erskine. Teel picked up the second out on an infield flyball, but Taylor Boucher drove in a pair with a single, and Gartley followed with run-scoring single for a 10-4 Erskine lead.

The Eagles tacked on two more runs in the seventh courtesy of a passed ball and a wild pitch.

Rachel Moroney was 2-for-4 with a run scored and made several solid plays at shortstop for Brunswick. Mary Sasso scored a pair of runs, while Libby was 2-for-5. Howe made two nice running grabs in left field, while Bridges showed good range at third base. The Dragons committed just two errors.

“We haven’t won a game yet, and we don’t know if we will this season. But, we have had victories this season, and I feel good about where their heads are at right now,” concluded Potter.

RICHMOND 25 BUCKFIELD 2

Richmond took advantage of 21 walks, rolling to an East- West Conference win over Buckfield on Tuesday.

The Bobcats, 12-0 and slated to visit Rangeley on Friday, turned a 9-0 advantage through two innings into a 23- 0 lead with a 14-run third frame.

Jamie Plummer tossed a two-hitter with seven strikeouts for the win. Plummer also singled twice and drove in four runs,

Payton Johnson singled, doubled and picked up an RBI, Kelsea Anair singled twice and drove in a run, and Kelsie Obi tripled.

Alannah Knox and Elizabeth Damon each singled for Buckfield (3-7).

Erskine Academy 12, Brunswick 11

At Brunswick High School
Erskine — 131 113 2 — 12- 8-2
Brunswick — 200 020 7 — 11-13-2
Phoebe Cram and Alison Gauvin; KK Teel
and Jena Libby.
Double — (B) Ashley Howe.
Repeat hitters — (EA) Alyssa Gartley, Alison Gauvin; (B) Leah Andreotti 3, Rachel
Moroney, Jena Libby, Ashley Howe.
Records — Erskine Academy 7-6,
Brunswick 0-14.
Up next for Brunswick — Today at Lewiston, 4 p.m.