SCARBOROUGH — Before facing Thornton Academy in a rematch of last year’s Western A regional final, Scarborough High softball coach Tom Griffin reminded his players to enjoy themselves.
“I wanted them to relax and when they relax we’re successful,” Griffin said. “I think we play better when we’re energized and have smiles on our faces and just enjoying the whole experience.”
Few Red Storm players were smiling more than Chloe Gorey after Scarborough finished off a crisp 4-3 win, handing Thornton its first loss.
Gorey, a junior shortstop, led off the third inning with her first career homer run and later added an RBI single as Scarborough (4-0) built a 3-1 lead.
“Even in practices I’ve never hit (a home run) so I was not expecting that,” Gorey said. “I thought that was a double at first.”
Thornton Academy (4-1) tied the game in the sixth inning with a two-run homer by Libby Pomerleau, who plays second base. It was also Pomerleau’s first career homer.
“That really pumped us up,” Pomerleau said. “We were very proud of how we played. We knew that we had to come ready today and I don’t think any of us are disappointed in the way we played today.”
Scarborough sophomore pitcher Lilly Volk shook off the Pomerleau blast and finished her four-hit complete-game victory with a 1-2-3 seventh inning, ending the game with her 10th strikeout.
“The only thing you can think, when someone hits it that powerful, is good for them,” Volk said.
“They must feel so good about it and at the same time, I’m confident in my team that we can get them back.”
Scarborough, which lost to Thornton Academy 2-1 in the regional final last spring, scored the winning run in the bottom of the sixth. Abbie Murrell led off with a long double to right-center. Kaleigh Scoville then hit a flair up the right-field line. While the ball was in the air, pinch-runner Hannah Ricker had to hold up.
When it fell in, Ricker raced to third. She was able to score when right fielder Louisa Colucci threw out Scoville at second base.
Thornton’s Bailey Tremblay took the loss, allowing eight hits and striking out three.
Tremblay (2 for 3) helped her own cause by singling home Maizie Lee in the fourth inning to tie the game, 1-1. Lee’s leadoff double was the first hit allowed by Volk.
Thornton Academy Coach John Provost said he liked the way his team responded from the 1-0 and 3-1 deficits.
“I’m extremely proud of the way we competed for seven innings,” Provost said. “Every time they scored we seemed to answer and ultimately we just ran out of innings.”
Scarborough and Thornton Academy are expected to be right at the top of the Western A standings again this year, meaning that a rematch – if it happens – could very well be in the Western A final.
“We’re hoping,” Provost said. “Ultimately, again, you just want to be playing well going into the playoffs.”
Steve Craig can be reached at 791-6413 or at:
scraig@pressherald.com
Twitter: SteveCCraig
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