Lakers rally for walk-off win over Valley

By Stuart Hedstrom
Staff Writer

   GREENVILLE — The beginning of the regular season for the Greenville High School softball team did not take place until nearly a week into May, but the late start has been a great start for the Lakers. Greenville won at home 21-9 vs. Temple Academy of Waterville on May 5 and then on May 7 the now 2-0 Lakers edged Upper Kennebec Valley High School of Bingham, 13-12, behind a walk-off double by freshman Sierra Bussell.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

SAFE AT HOME — Greenville senior Lindsay Fenn slides in ahead of the ball during a May 7 contest vs. Valley. The Lakers ended up winning 13-12 to improve to 2-0 in the team’s first week of regular season play. Greenville freshman Sierra Bussell is looking on after moving out of the batter’s box and also in on the play is Valley sophomore Michaela Marden.

   Down 12-5 after five innings, the visiting Cavaliers (who fell to 0-5 and have given up 73 runs in five games) put seven runs on the scoreboard in the sixth to tie the game at 12-12. Valley took advantage of a pair of Greenville fielding errors to pick up two runs on each miscue and junior Charlie Savoy dropped the ball into deep leftfield for a two-run homer.
   Valley then had a one, two, three inning in the bottom of the sixth and threatened to go ahead with a lead-off walk in the visiting half of the seventh. Sophomore Samantha West attempted to get into scoring position by swiping second base, but a throw from senior catcher Lindsay Fenn to senior shortstop Courtney Mann was on target as the infielder made the tag for out No. 1.
   Following a groundout for the second out of the inning, Cavalier freshman Alexis Davis drew a walk. The visitors again tried to gain an advantage on the base paths as Davis took off for second once Greenville freshman Lilly Pelletier released her pitch. Fenn quickly switched the ball from her glove to her free hand as she heaved it to Mann by second base. The throw was on target as Mann made the tag for the out to end the inning, the only inning in which the Laker defense prevented any runs which kept the game tied 12-12.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

THE WINNING RUN — An RBI-double by freshman Sierra Bussell drove in senior Courtney Mann from second in the bottom of the seventh inning. Mann represented run No. 13 for the home team, which ended up as the lucky winning run of the 13-12 victory.

   Mann was the leadoff hitter for the bottom of the seventh and she walked on four pitches as Valley sophomore pitcher Michaela Marden, the third of three Cavaliers to make an appearance on the mound, failed to find the strikezone. With Bussell at the plate, Mann took off on the first pitch of the at-bat and she stole second base to put the potential winning run in scoring position.
   Bussell then saw a pitch she liked, as she swung and made contact by sending a groundball up the middle. Bussell’s shot was directed perfectly to where neither the shortstop or second baseman could get it. The softball rolled onto the centerfield grass to make a play on either baserunner unlikely.
   Mann was off on contact and she got to third base with ease. While the ball did not roll too far into the outfield, Greenville head coach Bill Foley decided the potential reward was greater than the risk as he waived Mann home despite the potential for a throw to the plate. Mann turned at the bag before a throw could be sent in  and she made it home with no difficulties for the walk-off run. Bussell stood at second at this point in the game and her game-winning RBI double turned out to be Greenville’s only extra-base hit of the entire seven-inning, two hour, 10 minute contest.
   Bussell was the sole Laker to have multiple hits, as she went 2-for-3 with a pair walks in her other appearances at the plate. Mann did not have a hit, but she was awarded first base in all five at-bats on four walks and another hit by pitch. She finished with a game-high four runs scored.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

HANDLE WITH CARE — Senior catcher Lindsay Fenn maintains control of a pop-up in foul territory to end the top of the first inning.

   Greenville matched Valley with a seven-run inning of its own, jumping ahead from after a 3-0 deficit in the third. The Lakers took advantage of a lack of control by Cavalier junior starter Dalayne Davis, scoring five of the runs on three bases loaded walks, a hit by pitch with three runners on and the other run being scored on a wild pitch. As part of the seven-run barrage, Greenville sent 12 batters to the plate with Fenn walking in both of her trips.
   Greenville and Valley are scheduled to play again, in Bingham on Thursday, May 14 at 4 p.m.

Greenville 13,
Valley 12
V   111  117  0   |  12
G   007  230  1   |  13
Greenville (2-0): Bussell 2-3 2B 2 BB 2 RBI 2 runs 2 SB; C. Mann 4 BB HBP 4 runs 3 SB.
Valley (0-5): White 2-3 2 BB 2 RBI run 3 SB; Savor 2-4 HR BB 2 RBI 2 runs SB.
WP Pelletier 7 IP 12 runs 7 hits 15 BB 6 K
LP Marden 3 IP 4 runs 3 hits 5 BB 2 K