SOUTH CHINA — A lot of people wondered how Erskine softball would fare this season. The Eagles haven’t faced any of the top teams yet, but they look pretty good through two games.
The questions about Erskine came after ace pitcher Sonja Morse transferred to Cony and coach Mike Soule resigned. New coach Holly Tripp is going with junior Alyssa Gartley and senior Ashley Green to replace Morse. Gartley threw a five-hit shutout on opening day, and Green tossed a three-hitter Friday afternoon as the Eagles defeated visiting Lawrence, 6-1 in Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A action.
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“We’ve been going every other game,” Green said. “I think it gives us a chance to rest up. That way we can pitch our strongest.”
Erskine (2-0) jumped out early with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Meryl Bond led off with a triple, and scored on Gartley’s bunt single. Hannah Peabody singled, and Mikhaela Helm made it 3-0 with another triple. The Eagles got two more runs in the second on two walks, two singles and Lawrence’s only error, and led 6-0 after two innings.
The offensive burst was a nice change for the Eagles, who waited until the sixth inning to break a scoreless tie against Edward Little.
“It’s better,” Tripp joked. “I was having a heart attack last time, with the 0-0 game. We lost to these guys last time, so they wanted to come out early, and they did a good job.”
At that point, it looked like Erskine would end the game by the mercy rule in the fifth inning, especially after Green struck out two of the three batters she faced in the top of the third.
But Lawrence pitcher Sarah Martin allowed only three hits over the last four innings, and the Bulldogs (0-2) finally got a baserunner when Abby King doubled leading off the fourth. King scored on Sophie Lindsay’s two-out double down the left-field line.
Green, who finished with six strikeouts and no walks, was stingy the rest of the way. Lawrence’s best threat in the final three innings came when Bri Emery led off the fifth by reaching on an error, but pinch runner Molly Moen was erased when a bunt-and-run turned into a popout and a double play. Still, Lawrence coach Joey Marcoux was pleased with the last four-plus innings.
“We were aggressive at the plate,” Marcoux said. “We were making contact with our aggressiveness. If we make a different play on that bunt, who knows? You score two or three runs that inning, you keep the momentum rolling, and maybe you win the game.”
Gartley and Helm each had two hits for the Eagles. Weather permitting, Erskine will be tested Monday at Oxford Hills, while Marcoux just hopes Lawrence can keep improving.
“A Lawrence team in the past usually hits the ball, makes a lot of errors in the field, and that’s how come we lose,” Marcoux said. “That’s not why we’re losing right now. We’re not hitting the ball yet, and that’s going to come. They’re starting to do it, but you can’t wait until the fourth inning.”
Matt DiFilippo — 861-9243
mdifilippo@centralmaine.com
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