Dirigo outslugs Mtn. Valley in softball

DIXFIELD -- There is always room for improvement and that includes surprises throughout the season and that has been evident for Mountain Valley and Dirigo in a recent softball game.

It was Ambyr Wilson, who scattered six hits in going the distance, while a trio of home runs sparked the offense as Dirigo triumphed by 11-5 against Mountain Valley at cozy Marble Park.

The neighboring rivals have engaged in competitive contests in recent times. Last year, the Falcons beat Dirigo 5-3 in Rumford. Later that month, Dirigo won 4-3.

In the fourth, Mountain Valley had tied it up 5-5, but the Cougars responded with catcher Alyssa Charity's homerun in the bottom of the inning. Dirigo had hits (nine) in each inning, and scored in all but one inning as well.

"We knew we needed to play well today," said Dirigo coach Sara Thurston. "We played Mtn. Valley during preseason and knew they have good hitters and strong fielding, and knew we'd need to play a solid game to get a win against this team."

Dirigo has benefitted from solid pitching by Wilson, who inherited the role following an injury to Alyssa Wade. The junior struck out six, walked one and hit a batter.

"Ambyr has stepped into the roll of starting pitcher very smoothly," said Thurston. "It's also been key that Wade has been able to continue batting and has filled the position at first rather seamless and can provide Ambyr with advice and support easily between pitches."

Mtn. Valley pitcher Lindsay Marston had three strikeouts, walked five and was hindered by three errors by the defense. Brooke Dolloff supplied the offense, with a single, double, solo homerun, 3 RBIs, only a triple short of the cycle. Shannan Laubauskas hit two singles.

The pace of the game was set during the first inning. Wilson struck out the first batter, and then the next two batters hit routine grounders to third baseman Gretchen Bradbury, who made controlled throws to get the outs at first.

"It's key to get ahead early in games," said Thurston. "And we were able to do that today."

Charity reached on a fielder's choice, and then Tasha DeRoche drilled the first pitch from Marston over the left field fence.

Wade's three-run homer in the second inning was a great answer to Dolloff's solo dinger in the second.