Greenville beats Rangeley to advance to the Western Class D finals

By Mike Lange
Staff writer

    GREENVILLE — The Greenville Lakers used a balanced offense and another stellar pitching performance by sophomore Molly Foley to defeat Rangeley, 9-2 on Friday to advance to the Western Maine Class D championship round. The victory improved their record to 13-2.

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    RUN IT OUT — Jasmine Senatus lays down a bunt for Greenville in the first inning.

    The Lakers were scheduled to face Richmond, the only team to defeat Greenville this year, for the Western Maine title at St. Joseph’s College in Standish yesterday. The final score wasn’t available due to press deadline.
    “You always hate to face a team three times in a season, even if you’ve beaten them twice,” said Greenville Coach Bill Foley. “By the third time, you assume they have you figured out.”
    But Greenville, known for keeping opponents off-balance, played a combination of small-ball in the early innings and added some sharp defensive plays late in the game to hold Rangeley at bay.
    “Sometimes we’re nervous in the first few innings,” Foley said. “So if we start beating out a few bunts early, we loosen up a bit. But Rangeley is a good team with some power. So you can’t let up for a minute.”

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    OUT AT FIRST — Rangeley’s Abby Abbott is out on a close play at first, handled cleanly by Kaylee Warman.

    Greenville’s nine-hit attack included two hits apiece from Jasmine Senatus, Olivia Bouchard and Kaylee Warman. Foley, who has pitched every game this season, gave up seven hits, struck out five and didn’t give up a walk.
    “We knew they were going to be tough,” said Rangeley Coach Ashley Quimby, whose team finished 7-8. “They have a great pitcher and a great coaching staff. A few mistakes in the field really hurt us, but I’m proud of our players. We lose four seniors this year, so we’ll have a young team next season.”
    Foley and catcher Lindsay Fenn have been playing together since grade school, Assistant Coach Chris Fenn pointed out. “Our sophomores have really been the key to our success this year,” said Fenn, Lindsay’s father. “We’re like a family. This trip to the states (finals) really means a lot to us.”

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    ON THE MOUND — Molly Foley struck out five and didn’t walk a batter en route to Greenville’s 8-2 victory over Rangeley June 7. Also pictured is second baseman Courtney Mann.

    The Greenville baseball team’s season ended at Buckfield on June 7 as the No. 5 seeded Lakers lost 10-0. Buckfield pitcher Jonah Williams struck out eight batters and allowed only two hits. Greenville finished the season at 6-9.