WINSLOW — Winslow senior Hillary Libby pitched a no-hitter against Nokomis early in the season and appeared headed for the same type of dominating performance Friday when the teams met in a rematch on her home field.

The young and improving Warriors did get to Libby in the late innings but it wasn’t enough to offset the Black Raiders’ 14-hit attack nor Libby’s 14 strikeouts in Winslow’s 12-6 victory.

Both teams will participate in the upcoming Class B North playoffs. With a game remaining in the regular season Winslow is 14-1 while Nokomis is 11-4.

Libby breezed through the first four innings, compiling 10 strikeouts while allowing two harmless singles. Meanwhile her teammates got to Nokomis sophomore Brittany Bubar who was making her first start of the season.

“We were trying to get Brittany a few more innings because Libby (Dunivan) has been tailing off after four or five innings,” Nokomis coach J.D. McLellan said.

The Black Raiders had five hits and four runs off Bubar before Dunivan came on in the third inning. They hit just as well off the faster Dunivan, scoring two runs in the third, three in the fourth and two in the fifth. They finished with seven doubles, including three from Libby.

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“We can hit,” Winslow coach Steve Bodge said. “The story is he didn’t start (Dunivan) because we hit fast pitching so well. But we can hit anybody, we can score runs. We’ve got to play defense a little bit better.”

Trailing 9-0, the Warriors got to Libby for three runs in the fifth on two hits, two walks and an error. Dunivan drove in a run with her second hit of the game and in the sixth added a three-run homer over the fence in right center.

“We knew what to expect this time and we did a lot more preparation,” Dunivan said. “We did a lot of hitting (Thursday). She’s definitely the fastest pitcher we see. I was just trying to relax and make solid contact with the ball, watch it all the way to the bat.”

Winslow responded with four straight hits for three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Kiana Richards and Paige Veilleux started the rally with singles while Bailey Robbins and Libby followed with run-scoring doubles.

“I had a couple of duck farts,” Libby said. “That’s what we call them on the team. I hit them in an odd place.”

Richards finished with three hits while Veilleux had two. Everyone in the lineup had at least one hit, led by Libby who hits sixth in the batting order.

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“Last year and the year before I hit four or five,” Libby said. “I think it’s good to have a well-rounded batting order.”

The Black Raiders, who have a loss to Oceanside, will likely finish third in the standings.

“I think out of all four years, because I am a senior, this is the best team we’ve had,” Libby said. “All over we feel great.”

Dunivan, one of three seniors on the Nokomis roster, was equally excited about her team’s progress.

“I’m very happy with where we are right now,” she said. “We’re improving every game. We’re very young but we’ve kind of come into our own.”


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