NEWPORT — The Nokomis softball team could probably play with Medomak Valley, the No. 1 ranked team in Eastern B. But it would take the Warriors’ best game, and they were just a little bit off Monday afternoon.

Medomak Valley surprised Nokomis with a relentlessly effective “small ball” game, and pitcher Desiree Benner settled down after early troubles. The visiting Panthers cruised to an 8-3 victory.

“After the first time through, I’m thinking, ‘Oh, man, we haven’t practiced this,’ ” Nokomis coach JD McLellan said. “We kept our outfielders too deep to start with, and they are a great small ball team.”

Medomak Valley (12-1) began bunting in the first inning and never stopped. The Panthers bunted in 13 of their at bats, including one that cleanup hitter Dani Hunt fouled off with two on and one out in the top of the fourth inning. The Warriors misplayed a couple of the bunts, and others were placed so well that Nokomis had no chance.

Leadoff hitter Mallory Conary got Medomak Valley in motion by reaching three times on bunts. Conary is lanky and has exceptional speed.

“Her first stride is six feet down the line,” McLellan said.

Still, Nokomis had the momentum in the first inning. Megan Perry led off with a bloop single, and Sierra Fortin and Drew Graves followed with bunt singles to load the bases with nobody out. Becky Orcutt then drove one to deep left, and the ball was misplayed. A throwing error led to another run, and Nokomis led 2-0 and had runners on second and third with still nobody out.

But by the time the Warriors (8-5) hit the ball out of the infield again, it was the second inning. The inning ended with the score 2-0, and Nokomis had certainly left something on the table.

“But at the same time, they’re a good team,” McLellan said. “You’re not going to just put up four runs and think you’re automatically going to win (against) that team.”

Medomak Valley pitcher Desiree Benner gave up a two-out single to Perry in the second inning, then didn’t allow another hit until Courtney Carlson singled leading off the seventh. Benner, who allowed five hits and struck out six, has been recovering all spring after breaking two bones in her plant foot during basketball season.

“She just starting pitching (at) the end of March, so she’s getting stronger every game,” Medomak Valley coach Richard Vannah said. “She’s pushing 85-90 (percent) right now. If she can get by that first inning, she gets stronger and stronger.”

The Panthers scored three runs in the second inning on singles by Heidi Obuchon, Bridget Miller, Lauren Guptill, and Maria Ennamorati. Medomak Valley then went up 5-2 in the third on a two-run single by Guptill. Medomak finished with 14 hits — all singles — and Nokomis made six errors.

Matt DiFilippo — 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

 

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