Scarborough’s Lilly Volk threw 12 Ks through five innings vs. visiting Windham on Thursday, May 26, leading her girls in securing a 2-0 W. The low-scoring game, in fact, proved something of a pitching duel, as the Eagles’ Danielle Tardiff likewise did an excellent job keeping the Storm guessing at the plate.

Scarborough head coach Tom Griffin praised the opposition. 

“Windham is definitely an up-and-coming program,” Griffin said. “I think [Coach Demmons] does a great job … last year, when he came aboard, the whole attitude of the whole program just changed. The way the girls approach the game, the way they warm up, the way they prepare and just their skill development…We knew we had to be very respectful of this team.”

Windham kicked off the top of the first looking strong when leadoff hitter Katelyn Troiano singled to left. Troiano got caught stealing second during Alex Morang’s at-bat, however, and Morang herself grounded out 1-3 before Olivia Mora went down swinging to end the inning.

But Scarborough couldn’t log any offense in their first ups either, grounding out 1-3 twice before flying out to center. Pitching, and defense, then, were the name of the game all afternoon.

“We only got four hits,” Griffin said. “We made contact, but we weren’t making solid contact. That’s the first time that’s happened … It’s not something we’re used to. We hit the ball – we’re not going to strike out. [Tardiff] did a really nice job keeping us off-balance and hitting her corners.”

Tardiff and Volk only walked one batter each, and Tardiff threw three Ks. Volk, just a junior, has already verbally committed to play at the University of Maine.

Lauren Talbot singled for the Eagles in the second, and Megan Joy did in the third, but their teammates couldn’t help them convert. Nor did Scarborough find it easy to get on the board. They eventually did – but not until the sixth, when Katie Verreault snapped the tension in a huge way, blasting a solo shot over the distance fence for a quick 1-0. Maggie Murphy followed Verreault to the plate and promptly belted a triple, then scored two batters later when Kaleigh Scoville singled.

Windham had one last ups to bring themselves even with the Storm, and with two outs, Taylor Tibbetts did log a single. Alas, Megan Joy lined out to Verreault at second base and the game closed with a dramatic flourish.

“It comes down to just executing,” said Griffin of clashing with a high-caliber opponent. “And that’s what we’re focused on … [Windham’s] been scoring a lot of runs, a lot of power at the plate, so we needed to make sure we did our job.”

The win bumped No. 1 Scarborough – long the South’s most formidable softball force – to 15-0 on the season; the team closed out their schedule with a 4-3 win over rivals Biddeford the following day. The Storm earn a bye through the June 7 prelims and will play the winner of No. 8 Marshwood vs. No. 9 Portland on June 9.

Meanwhile, No. 5 Windham slipped to 11-4 on the loss. The Eagles stumbled again in their last regular-season matchup, losing 9-6 at Noble the following day. The team hosts a prelim vs. No. 12 South Portland on June 7.

Scarborough’s Abbie Murrell connects with a pitch in her team’s 2-0 win over visiting Windham last Thursday.

Windhamite Alex Morang takes a cut.

Windham ace Danielle Tardiff lobs a 1-3 throw to catch a Scarborough runner out.

Windham centerfielder Katelyn Troiano grabs a flyball in Scarborough on Thursday last.

The Lady Eagles fire themselves up prior to their bout with Scarborough, Thursday last.

Diving Scarborough shortstop Laura Powell, would, believe it or not, manage to tag out the Windham runner heading for second on this play.

Scarborough starting pitcher Lilly Volk lobs a 1-3 throw to catch a Windham runner out.

Windham Captain Sadie Nelson connects with a pitch in the Eagles’ battle at Scarborough on Thursday last.