SCARBOROUGH — The defending Class A champions are one step closer to getting back to the state final, as No. 1 Scarborough pulled away for a 10-0 victory over No. 4 Massabesic in a Class A South semifinal Saturday morning.

The Red Storm (18-0) held a 1-0 lead through four innings but broke it open with nine runs in the fifth.

“I was real proud of my kids. They hung tough. They looked confident and they were making good swings and putting the ball in play,” said Scarborough Coach Tom Griffin.

Scarborough pitcher Chloe Griffin walked two of the first three batters but struck out two batters to end the threat.

“We talked about trying to gain and capture momentum. They are just a team that just keeps coming at you … and when you don’t take advantage of those opportunities, that can come back and get you,” said Massabesic Coach Kevin Tutt about the first-inning opportunity.

Scarborough pushed a run across in the bottom of the first when Isabella Dickinson walked and scored on an RBI single by Griffin. The Red Storm left the bases loaded against Massabesic pitcher Cayleigh Morris.

Massabesic’s last real scoring chance came in the top of the fifth when Alyvia Cormier drilled a double down the left-field line and got to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kate Shubert. Again, Griffin struck out the next two Mustangs.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Red Storm got six hits, two walks and a hit batter to produce nine runs.

Hunter Greenleaf made it 2-0 with RBI single and eventually capped the outburst with a two-run double. Samantha Carriero and Courtney Brochu each hit an RBI double, and Lindsey Kelley drove home two runs with a single. Dickinson had an RBI single.

“I think it was really important just for the team in general to break it open, but I think my role on the team is specifically to show good leadership and show the girls what we’re capable of, so those hits were really big,” said Greenleaf. “The first one definitely started the rally and the second one just helped us out, keeping us moving.”

Griffin retired the side in order in the sixth and seventh.

“It’s going to be pitching and defense that’s going to win this thing, and that’s what we’ve been trying to preach the last couple weeks and we certainly showed that today,” said Tom Griffin, whose team did not commit and error.

Chloe Griffin finished with 11 strikeouts and allowed just one hit.

“They are an absolute machine when it comes to the game of softball,” said Tutt. “I respect everything that Tom Griffin has going here. I’ve worked with a lot of those kids and they play the game hard and they play the game right.”