LINING UP THE CATCH — Fryeburg Academy left fielder Ellen Bacchiocchi prepares to catch a fly ball during Monday's 4-1 victory over Greely. The FA senior had a pivotal RBI double. (Rivet Photo)

VARSITY SOFTBALL

CUMBERLAND — In an early season showdown between two of the favorites to reach the Class B West finals, Fryeburg Academy used speed, timely hitting and clutch pitching to beat Greely 4-1 Monday.

The Raiders (2-0) expected a grind-it-out affair with the Rangers and ace hurler Danielle Cimino.

FA Coach Fred Apt encouraged his players to “attack the ball” in facing Cimino, who struck out eight and allowed just five hits.

But, those hits and the Raiders’ speed on the base paths were difference makers.

Fryeburg built a 2-0 lead in the first, taking advantage of some Ranger jitters. With one out, Maddie Pearson drilled a shot to center for a hit. When the outfielder bobbled the hit, Pearson alertly raced to second. The Rangers would commit two more errors, enabling the Raiders to plate a pair of runs.

Greely made it 2-1 in the home half of the first as Sarah Felkel walked and later scored on a sharp drive to first baseman Twitchell.

FA ace Sarah Harriman left two runners in scoring position by recording her third strikeout of the inning, sitting Cimino on a called third strike.

Harriman was tough all day, allowing just four hits and striking out eight. She retired seven straight, yielding an infield hit to Elise Dinan to start the fourth. The Rangers would load the bases, but Harriman chalked up two strikeouts to end the threat.

In last year’s West final, catcher Carla Tripp waged an epic 20-plus pitch at bat against Cimino, eventually reaching first. Tripp put a mini marathon together with one out in the fifth, working a 10 pitch at bat ending with Cimino grazing the FA captain. The miscue proved costly as Tripp moved up on a wild pitch and kept motoring on to third as the Ranger catcher retrieved the loose ball at the backstop. Pearson fought off a tough pitch to drop a ground ball to the right side, plating Tripp for a 3-1 lead.

Fryeburg added an insurance run in the sixth as Makayla Frost singled to left with two out. Pinch runner Julia Quinn took second on a wild pitch, and later scored when senior captain Ellen Bacchiocchi, who was 0-for-2 on the day, scorched a 2-2 pitch into the right-center gap for a RBI double.

Harriman retired the side in order in the seventh.

“Now this is Fryeburg softball,” Coach Apt told his players after the game. “That’s how you attack the ball!”

For Fryeburg, Tripp and shortstop Sydney Charles each had singles. Charles had a busy day in the field, recording five putouts.

Near escape

Coming off a successful school break trip to Connecticut, the Raiders were a little “flat” in the season opener at Poland.

And, the Knights nearly pulled off a major upset, falling 2-1 last Friday.

Fryeburg struck first as Carla Tripp (2-for-3) dropped a well-placed bunt to open the game. She stole second and moved to third on a pass ball. Tripp then scored on Kyle Locke’s sacrifice fly.

FA added a run in the third as Sarah Harriman singled sharply to right. Courtesy runner Julia Quinn then stole second and later scored when the Poland center fielder misplayed a drive by Sydney Charles.

Harriman cruised through the first three innings, retiring all nine players on three strikeouts and three balls hit right back to her.

But, Poland made some noise in the fourth courtesy of a FA error and base hits by Theriault and Lavoie. Harriman worked out of the jam by getting designated player Emily Whittemore to fly out to shortstop Sydney Charles.

FA stranded eight base runners on the day, including Maddie Pearson, who singled in the fifth, stole second and moved to third on a field out.

FA left Kristen Chipman (walk) at second in the sixth as Poland hurler Kolby Woods (5 hits allowed, 4 walks and 6 strikeouts) recorded a strikeout to end the threat.

Poland closed to 2-1 in the sixth on a walk and single by Lavoie. The Knights had a chance to tie, but a double play ended the threat.

FA had a chance to gain a little breathing room in the seventh as Tripp picked up her second hit. She stole two bases, but was stranded when Woods induced two infield fly ball outs and notched a strikeout.

The Knights kept the pressure on in the bottom of the seventh. After a strikeout, Arsenault singled. Harriman then recorded her eighth strikeout. Number 9 hitter Deburra kept the rally alive with a single to right, enabling Arsenault to head to third base. With runners at the corners, Harriman ended the contest with a three-pitch strikeout.

The Raider lefty allowed 6 hits, 1 walk and struck out 9.

FA Coach Apt made it a point to his players that they were fortunate to leave with a win, and they needed to bring intensity to every game since each opponent will be bringing their “A” game.

For the Raiders, Makayla Frost singled in the second and Kristen Chipman walked twice.

Up next: The Raiders host Lake Region on Friday at 4 p.m. and Wells on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Then, FA is on the road for four contests — Falmouth Monday, Sacopee Wednesday and York Friday, all at 4 p.m.

VARSITY BASEBALL

CUMBERLAND — Bailey Train single-handedly brought the Fryeburg Academy baseball team back down to earth.

The Greely pitcher struck out six Raiders over five innings of work — not allowing a FA runner to reach third base — and belted a two-run home run in the first inning to lead the Rangers to an 11-1 victory Monday.

Train went 3-for-3 as the Rangers recorded 10 hits.

Raider Coach Rich Ela felt starting pitcher Tanner Wentworth gave a quality outing, but was victimized by “poor defense” as FA committed four errors. Tyler Saunders came on in relief in the fifth.

The loss snapped a two-game FA win streak. Fryeburg opened the season with a 8-1 victory over Wells.

Tyler Hill tripled home two runs in the second inning as the Raiders broke a 1-1 tie. Hill paced the Raider attack with three hits, three runs and three RBI. Fryeburg had eight hits against Wells pitching with Billy Rascoe and Ian MacFawn each picking up two hits. Hunter Day knocked a double.

MacFawn struck out seven and walked just one in 6 1/3 innings of work. Liam LeConey pitched the seventh.

Wells’ run in the first was unearned on a throwing error.

At Poland last Friday, Cody Loewe delivered a clutch single to plate Nick Kiesman in the 11th inning as the Raiders squeaked past the Knights 3-2.

Billy Rascoe pitched five scoreless innings of relief for the win. Rascoe gave up four hits and two walks. He struck out two.

Starter Ian MacFawn went the first six innings, giving up four hits and four walks, while striking out seven.

Down 1-0, the Raiders took a lead in the second as Walker Day singled, Tanner Wentworth walked, Sulo Burbank grounded out to first to move the runners up a base, and Tyler Saunders singled to score Day. Tyler Hill then singled to plate Wentworth.

In the sixth, the Knights tied the game on a walk, double and an infield out.

Poland had a chance to pull out the win in the 10th inning. With two out and a runner at second (single and stolen base), outfielder Tyler Saunders gunned down a Knight at home plate following a single up the middle to keep the game deadlocked.

The Raiders took the lead in the 11th as Saunders singled with two outs. Hill and Loewe followed with base hits to score Saunders.

Fryeburg banged out 11 hits as Saunders led the way with three, Kyle Bonner had two and Tyler Hill stroked two hits. Billy Rascoe doubled.

Up next: The Raiders host Lake Region (0-2) on Friday, then hit the road next week with games at Falmouth on Monday, Sacopee Valley on Wednesday and York on Friday.

TRACK & FIELD

FALMOUTH — Although the Raiders were a little outnumbered at the Falmouth Invitational Track Meet last week, Coach Kevin McDonald felt the event was a great experience.

Only 14 Raiders attended the track & field meet since many were away for April vacation.

“However, those that did compete faired very well. This is a meet with over 600 athletes with many class A schools. A great experience for the athletes to compete against teams they will not see the rest of the year,” Coach McDonald said.

One highlight was a win in the boys’ distance medley. Patrick Carty led off and held his own in second place. Eric Hannes took the baton and closed the gap to bring the Raiders almost even. Tyler O’Keefe took the hand-off and moved into the lead opening a huge gap on second place. TJ Rose ran a nice anchor, maintaining the lead.

“We are very pleased with this result as the boys have been working hard and this win shows the value of that work,” Coach McDonald said.

Jamie Gullikson had a very nice opening day as she finished first in the pole vault and second in the intermediate hurdles.

“Jamie is one of our senior captains and if she applies herself for the next six weeks she will stand atop the podium at States,” Coach McDonald said.

Forest Stearns ran a “fantastic” 400 meters. On a tough day with a lot of wind, Stearns powered home with a time of 54.95, good for third place.

“Coach Collins and I were very happy for Forest as he has been battling some nagging injuries as of late and this 400 shows a very bright future for Mr. Stearns,” the coach said.

Hannes followed his fine relay leg with a fourth place showing in the 800 meters, running a 2:11.51.

“A very nice opening for Eric. When the weather warms and the wind dies down, we see Eric’s time dropping down near the 2:00 minute mark, if not below,” Coach McDonald said.

Will Price had a very nice day in the three throwing events, finishing near the top in all three. His discus throw was 110-feet 6-inches, which placed eighth over all. Price also ran a leg on a relay were he could be a force as the season moves forward.

Up next: Fryeburg travels to Poland this Friday to meet the Knights, Greely and York. The meet starts at 3:30 p.m.