Baker 3, Sweet Home 2
The Huskies’ softball season ended in disappointment as Baker edged them out 3-2 in the first round of state playoffs.
The Huskies hosted Baker, the number three team in its league, on Monday.
The two teams held each other in check throughout the first five innings. The Huskies threatened to score, but were never quite able to bring a base runner home.
In the top of the sixth inninng, Baker was able to get two runners on base and score one on a double, leaving runners on second and third. A throw back to home bounced and didn’t connect to catcher Sara Brocard in time, and Baker’s next batter scored a runner.
Brocard dived to catch a foul ball from the next batter for the second out of the inning. Pitcher Makenzie Marchbanks struck out the next batter.
In the bottom of the sixth, Nicki Aerni was caught out, but Jessalyn Seiber followed up with a triple. Michelle Cliver drove her in and reached first base. Cliver was caught as she attempted to steal second. Marchbanks doubled, but Dani Thireault was caught out on the next at-bat.
In the top of seven, Baker scored on a sacrifice fly, leaving one runner on third, but Marchbanks struck out the final batter.
In the bottom of seven, Brocard singled “and made things interesting,” Coach Steve Hummer said.
Baker struck out Chelsea Gregory, but Olivia Lake hit a triple to score Brocard, leaving Lake in a position to score.
Cait Thireault was thrown out at first, and Aerni hit a fly out to end the game.
“Mac (Marchbanks) competed very well as usual,” Hummer said. “I felt like a couple of her walks were strikeouts, but sometimes the calls don’t go your way and there is not a lot you can do about it. I felt like she dealt with that adversity and kept coming, she is a warrior and I am proud of her.”
Marchbanks struck out 12 batters, walked five and gave up two earned runs.
“The girls competed hard and refused to go away,” Hummer said. “I am very proud of what we have accomplished this year, and I am very excited about next year. We have the pitcher of the year back, two first-teamers, one second-teamer and one honorable mention player.
“As disappointing as tonight was, our future remains bright, and next year will not get here soon enough. This is a great group of girls and I will miss the seniors. They provided great leadership and they have accomplished a lot.”
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Baker 000 0021 3 6 0
Sweet Home 000 0011 2 6 1