Dirigo girls double up on Andies

DIXFIELD -- There are times when the best offense is a good defense and the Dirigo softball team discovered first hand just how both aspects can be equally effective.

Dirigo did score early, however, it needed a boost in the middle innings and things panned out in a 12-6 win against Livermore Falls at cozy Marble Park.

Sophomore Gretchen Bradbury was a force with three hits, three RBI and two runs scored.

Livermore Falls had tied the score 6-6, following a three-run homer by Sam Greenwood in second and a solo homerun by Marissa Welch in the top of the third inning. The Lady Cougars responded with three runs in the bottom of the third and fourth innings.

Mariah Larson off the third with a double, Kyme Dolloff hit an RBI single. Bradbury and Brooke Kersey each singled and eventually scored on wild pitches.

In the fourth, Bradbury had a two-run single and Paige Murphy smashed an RBI double. The offense pounded out 16 hits, including three each by Tasha DeRoche. Larson (three runs) and Dolloff had two each.

“The kids remained focused," said Dirigo coach Clint Dolloff.

Ambyr Wilson pitched the first four innings to earn the win. Wilson was relieved by Alyssa Wade, who hurled three shutout innings. Wade, who had played well defensively at shortstop, didn’t allow any hits and the lone base runner was a walk to Katherine Ventrella (two hits) leading off the seventh.

Dirigo had scored five runs in the first on six hits and three LF errors. Natalie Bolduc led off with a single, Wade reached and Wilson doubled. DeRoche, Alyssa Charity, Dolloff and Bradbury each added RBIs. A heads-up play occurred in the top of the first on a ball was hit sharply to Bradbury at third base. The ball glanced off Bradbury’s glove, but Wade had roamed over and caught the ball for the third out.

“Defensively, we played real well,” said coach Dolloff. “That’s what kept us in the game and then our offense kicked in.”

Murphy (four assists) threw a runner out at home from second base, Charity threw out Henderson trying to steal second from her knees. Plus, she caught Jill Howard off third and got her out in a rundown. Wilson played a bunt off the mound and threw Sam Wirzanski out at second.