Cougars win softball opener

DIXFIELD -- It’s always an advantage to start off on a positive note and the Dirigo softball team received a strong effort when it was needed to make a statement. The Lady Cougars found a diamond in the rough in their regular-season opener and posted a 13-1 win against Wiscasset at cozy Marble Park.

The game was shortened to five innings because of the 12-run mercy rule. Tasha DeRoche had three hits, while Natalie Bolduc, Paige Murphy and Alyssa Charity each had two hits to lead a solid offensive attack. The Cougars were aggressive on the base paths and every starter had either a hit or scored a run. “Coach teaches us to always look for the extra base,” said DeRoche, who had three RBI. “And to be aware when the other team isn’t paying attention, and we did that in the fourth and fifth innings.” Dirigo erupted for six runs in each of those innings, behind nifty base running and clutch hitting. Brooke Kersey walked leading off the fourth and scored on the first of Charity’s two doubles. Gretchen Bradbury followed with an RBI single. Bolduc (three runs) reached on an error and Murphy singled home Bradbury. Alyssa Wade walked and DeRoche smashed a two-run single.

Wade pitched a complete-game five-hitter and had good control. Her lone mistake was a solo home run by Brianna Good leading off the third inning. Dirigo quickly tied the score in the bottom of the inning. Bolduc singled, stole second and scored on DeRoche double. “I pitched outside a lot,” said Wade. “(Alyssa) Charity provided some good targets. They had bases loaded with no outs in the second and my thoughts were to get one batter at a time. I couldn’t afford to get too far ahead of myself.”

Dirigo centerfielder Mariah Larson threw out a runner at third base and Kyme Dolloff was solid at first base. Murphy, kersey, Charity and Bradbury each scored two runs.

The first six batters scored in the fifth inning. Kersey walked, Larson reached on an error and Charity hit a two-run double. The Cougars loaded the bases and Murphy singled home Bradbury. Wade drew a walk and DeRoche laced a two-run single.