OAKLAND — Only seven of the 19 starters were back when Messalonskee hosted Brewer on Wednesday morning in a rematch of last year’s Eastern A softball final. Still, that rematch was a thriller.

Both teams had impressive new pitchers, but the game was decided on a burst of offense. After Brewer scored a run in the top of the eighth, Messalonskee got an error and three straight hits to earn a 3-2 opening day victory.

Additional Photos

HERE’S THE PITCH: Messalonskee pitcher Kassi Michaud allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out four and walking two against Brewer on Wednesday in Oakland. Contributed photo by David Emery

“It’s crazy, just to come back like that,” Messalonskee catcher Natalie Hunt said. “Considering we have no seniors, that’s a big win.”

Brewer graduated its top two pitchers, so Alex Grindle stepped in and allowed just three hits over the first seven innings. Messalonskee pitcher Kai Smith, who defeated the Witches in last year’s Eastern A final, was not feeling well, so the Eagles turned to sophomore Kassi Michaud.

Michaud gave up seven hits, and both of the runs she allowed were unearned. She struck out four and walked two.

“Kai feels good now, but I’ll tell you what: Kassi did an outstanding job today against a very formidable opponent,” Messalonskee coach Leo Bouchard said.

“I knew I had to mix it up quite a bit, because Brewer’s a very good hitting team,” Michaud said. “I tried to hit the corners, and I tried to use my changeup and my other pitches to keep them off balance.”

Messalonskee got the game’s first run in the third inning. Hunt, who was a late addition to the lineup after getting some plastic protection for her sprained thumb, led off with a triple off the center field fence. After a strikeout, Bri Garland hit one back to Grindle and pinch runner Ally Leighton was caught in a rundown. Leighton escaped with the help of a poor throw and scored the game’s first run.

Brewer got that back in the fourth, as Kelly Hatt reached on an error and scored on a two-out double by Sarah Babin. The Witches had a chance at another run in the top of the seventh. But with one out, Messalonskee center field Courtney Veilleux made a running catch of a fly ball on the edge of the outfield grass, then gunned down a runner at the plate for a double play.

“We’ve worked hard with her on that in practice,” Bouchard said. “Natalie places herself well so she can spot her. She’s been picking Natalie up real well.”

In the Brewer eighth, Hatt struck out with the ball going to the backstop. Hatt got a late start to first but still reached on a throwing error. After a wild pitch, Deaven Smith doubled home Hatt, and Brewer led 2-1.

Entering the bottom of the eighth, Messalonskee had only one hit since Hunt’s triple leading off the third. Nikki Collier led off with a fly ball that was misplayed into a two-base error. Garland followed by beating out a bunt single, and the Eagles had two on with nobody out.

After the Witches let Garland steal second base, Kylee Knight brought home Collier with a single through the right side. Emily York then hit a hard liner to the left side. Brewer shortstop Lindsay Houp dove and could only deflect the ball, and Garland came home with the winning run.

Grindle, who threw her first varsity complete game, struck out seven and walked two.

“We’ve had a really rough preseason,” Brewer coach Skip Estes said. “We haven’t played well all preseason. So to come down here and play this way — we’re kind of young — I was extremely happy.”

Matt DiFilippo — 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

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