Massabesic’s Sarah Guimond fires a pitch during Friday’s game at Biddeford.
Thanks to a strong pitching performance and some timely hitting, the visiting Mustangs were able to do just that as they picked up a 3-2 win over a talented Biddeford club.
Sarah Guimond went the distance in the circle for the Mustangs and finished with six strikeouts, while scattering eight hits and walking just two.
Massabesic coach Kevin Tutt was impressed with Guimond, who had to go through a dangerous Biddeford lineup.
“It’s huge,” said Tutt of Guimond’s performance. “Brook Davis, Erin and Grace Martin, that’s a stacked lineup over there. I’ve watched a lot of those kids grow up from Little League up to here and that’s a tough deal to go through.”
Biddeford opened the scoring with a run in the second. Grace Martin started the inning with a double and scored two batters later off a single from Katie Stewart.
Massabesic would get on the board in the third when Kate Shubert knocked in two runs with an RBI single to make it 2-1 .
The Mustangs would eventually extend their lead to 3-1, but the home-standing Tigers were not going to go down quietly.
Brittany Roy would drive home Brook Davis, who led off with a double, in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Massabesic lead to 3-2.
The Tigers had one last chance in the bottom of the seventh and would put runners on second and third, but a diving catch would end the Biddeford rally and the game.
“They played well. We are always going to be a gritty bunch. We are going to scrap out for everything,” said Tutt.
Biddeford coach Ray Magnant gave credit to Guimond for holding his high-powered offense down.
“Sarah Guimond pitched a good game and kept us off balance,” said Magnant.
Kirsten Lebreux went the distance for Biddeford and allowed just five hits and one earned run in the loss, while striking out nine Mustangs.
“It was a tight game. We just didn’t hit the ball … we didn’t hit the ball. Kirsten pitched real well, we played pretty good defense and we just didn’t come up with the timely hits,” said Magnant. “We had a lot of chances to score, missed a couple signs here and there, and we waited too long and by then it was too late.”
Magnant, who led Biddeford to a 13- 3 record in his first season, believes his team will bounce back quickly.
“It’s the first game, it’s a long season … we’ll be fine, we’ll be fine,” said Magnant.
Tutt was happy with his team’s ability to come through in the clutch.
“Lebreux threw very well and we took advantage when we had the chance,” said Tutt.
The Massabesic coach believes this win will give his team a lot of confidence moving forward.
“I think the girls needed to see it and needed to feel what it is to be in a tight game … (being) victorious against Biddeford is a big step for us as a program,” said Tutt.
NOTES: Biddeford was led by Amber Magnant with two hits, while Erin Martin and Lebreux also added hits … Massabesic will host Bonny Eagle and Biddeford will welcome in Windham on Monday.
— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.
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