Raiders reclaim top softball spot after beating Greely

Published Date

By Charlie Tryder

FRYEBURG — In a matchup of the two top Western Maine Class B softball teams, Fryeburg Academy edged Greely 3-1 on Wednesday to even the score between the two talented teams.

Greely beat the Raiders 8-1 in April, so the Raiders wanted payback.

FA Coach Fred Apt discussed the big win. "This was a real good win," he said. "We felt good about it. We had a good week at practice leading up to the game."

In particular, Apt and the Raiders orchestrated a game plan that involved how they would pitch the Ranger hitters who scored eight runs against them in their first tilt, something that does not happened against the Raiders.

Apt felt like they had Greely scouted well; the question was whether or not Harriman would be able to execute the plan. She did according to Apt. "Sarah worked all week on where we wanted to pitch their batters. She hit her spots. She had great control and kept them off balance."

Nevertheless, the Rangers did jump out in the bottom of the first inning to a 1-0 lead. It could have been worse if not for a head's up pickoff play. Dani Cimino reached base for Greely on a two out error in the bottom of the inning. Elyse Dinan singled after a passed ball to put Cimino on third. Cimino scored when Edith Aromando singled to right field. Harriman then hit a batter to load the bases. With two balls on the next batter, Tripp snapped a throw to Maggie McConkey at third base to pick off Dinan and get the Raiders off the field.

After the rocky first, Harriman only allowed three base runners over the final six innings. For one stretch, Harriman retired 13 consecutive batters. Harriman struck out 10 and walked one. She also hit a batter.

Fryeburg responded to the Greely first inning in the top of the second by scoring three runs. Number nine hitter Maddy Smith came to the plate with two runners on base and two outs, and she ripped an 0-2 pitch to right field for a triple. Both runners on base scored, as did Smith when the throw to third hit her and rebounded into left field.

Although the game ended 3-1, the Raiders could have expanded the margin of victory according to Apt. "We had some opportunities to score. We had the bases loaded a couple of times. We were one hit away from opening it up."

Apt takes great pride in taking the first seed back from Greely. "Raider pride is a big thing and we´re going to try to keep it going. Such a tradition has been built, we want to keep it going."

The Raiders enter the post season 15-1 after winning their last 13 games. Greely, the No. 2 seed now, will arrive to the post season 14-2.

The Raiders will host the winner of the preliminary game between Lake Region and Mt. Valley game on Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Legion Field. If they win this quarterfinal game, the Raiders will host a semi-final game at the Legion Field on Saturday.

The Raiders are playing well entering the tournament. They have a pitcher who can shut down anyone, they are playing solid defense, and Apt is pleased that they are getting hitting from everywhere in their lineup, "We are playing real well right well."