Pirates continue to win over Penobscot

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom SPEED ON THE BASEPATHS — PCHS senior Alex Speed slides in under the tag of Penobscot pitcher Arianna McKinnon to score on a throwing error during the second inning of a May 15 contest in Guilford. The Pirates came home eight times in the inning as part of a 12-0 win in five innings, the team’s sixth consecutive victory.

By Stuart Hedstrom

Staff Writer

GUILFORD — After falling in the season opener at Class B Foxcroft Academy, Piscataquis Community High School entered its May 15 contest vs. Penobscot Valley High School of Howland on a five-game winning streak. The Pirates ended up having little trouble getting past the Howlers for victory No. 6 with an eight-run second inning and a one-hitter from sophomore Jewel Lamb and the defense behind her as part of a 12-0 win in five innings.

The only runs PCHS, who on May 2 defeated 5-3 Penobscot in a contest played in Milo, ended up needing came in the first inning as the team put four on the scoreboard before out No. 1. Senior Alex Speed led off with a walk and Lamb followed with a single through a gap in the infield into leftfield.

This gap was exploited again and again as junior Delani Bennett and senior Grace Riitano both singled into leftfield to each drive in a run. Junior Jordynne Littlefield then had the Pirates’ fourth hit in row on a line drive to the left, which drove in Bennett and Littlefield for runs three and four.

The PCHS hit parade continued in the team’s next trip to the plate with four consecutive singles to begin the home half of the second inning and jump ahead 6-0. The four hits were the first of seven in the inning, as the 14 total Pirate batters also drew four walks and took advantage of a pair of Penobscot fielding miscues which all resulted in eight runs and a 12-0 advantage.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom ONE-HITTER — Sophomore Jewel Lamb gave up just one hit, a single dropped into leftfield in the second inning, in five innings of work against Penobscot. She helped her cause by going 3-for-3 and drawing a walk as the Pirates earned a 12-0 victory. Positioned behind Lamb is senior Haylee Williams at second and junior Jordynne Littlefield in rightfield.

Bennett singled in both second inning at-bats, driving in run No. 12 in the latter appearance. She finished the game having gone 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Freshman Erin Speed and Lamb both reached base twice in the second, on a walk and a single. Lamb helped her cause on the mound by going 3-of-3 with a walk in her other at-bat, and Speed reached base three times in the game on a single, bases on balls and an error.

The PCHS offense provided more than an ample cushion as the defense only allowed seven Howlers to get on base with just one getting as far as third. Lamb and company allowed just a single in the second inning and the pitcher scattered five walks while striking out three.

A 12-0 lead provided an opportunity to conclude the game after the top of the fifth if the Pirates could again keep Penobscot off the scoreboard. Lamb struck out the leadoff batter but then Howler senior Meghan Howey walked and got into scoring position by swiping second base.

Junior Arianna McKinnon grounded out but by putting the ball in play she moved Howey over to third base. Senior Morgan Moon then walked to place runners at the corners, and Moon stole second as her team had a pair of runners in scoring position for the first time all game.

Penobscot clean-up hitter freshman Kortney McKechnie was up next with the chance to prolong play. McKechnie redirected a Lamb pitch toward first, where Bennett scooped the ball up with her glove and took a few steps to the bag for the out to conclude the mercy rule victory.