STANDISH — There were high expectations right from the start of the softball season.

With much of its team back from last year, Julie Boucher was hoping for a season to remember for Oak Hill softball.

Her third-seeded Raiders had already surpassed their playoff run of last year and were gunning for a regional title Tuesday.  Those hopes were dashed by a talented Fryeburg team that is in the midst of its own dream season.

The defending regional champs built the early lead and rode the arm of freshman Sarah Harriman in a 6-1 win at Bailey Field at Saint Joseph’s College.

“We had high hopes to begin the season,” said Boucher, who is stepping down after this season after coaching the team since 1996. “We were well-rounded offensively and had solid defense. To obtain a state championship, you have to go through good teams. We had a really nice playoff run. We were hopeful and we were optimistic. I’m extremely proud of this accomplishment. This is still pretty sweet to go out in this fashion. I’ve said that this is the best team I’ve ever had. They were well-rounded with no drama and no attitude. I’m glad we can take home a plaque to Oak Hill High School.”

Boucher and her Raiders had reached the regional final in 1998 but ran into a dominant Scarborough squad back then. Oak Hill faced a similar challenge against 19-0 Fryeburg.

With three straight regional titles in hand, Fryeburg was relaxed and accustomed to the pressure game. It showed as Fryeburg started off strong and took advantage of a nervous Oak Hill squad.

“We were very anxious,” said Boucher. “We were excited and fired up. We did have some nerves. That’s definitely an advantage having been here before.”

Fryeburg has five seniors back from a team that has one of the top program’s in the Western Maine Conference in recent years.

“We’ve been here,” said Apt. “It’s our fourth year in a row. All of them haven’t been here, but enough have been here. This year, a lot of the seniors have stepped up to the plate. We knew we had the talent, but we weren’t sure about the leadership. The seniors have been unbelievable.”

Fryeburg scored three runs in the first inning and added another in the second to build the early lead. Maddie Pearson led the squad with three hits and an RBI. Carla Tripp had two hits and scored twice.

“We talked about that on the bus ride down,” said Fryeburg coach Fred Apt. “We’ve been a little passive the last couple of games. We hadn’t been as aggressive as we were hoping. Our No. one and two hitters (Tripp and Pearson), when they get on, a lot of things happen for us. They hadn’t been getting on.”

The quick 4-0 lead was all Harriman needed. She had a no-hitter through the first six innings. She finished with a two-hitter while striking out 11.

“She did amazing,” said Pearson, a sophomore outfielder. “She even said before the game that she knew she was on.”

Oak Hill’s Lauren Hall reached base when she was hit by a pitch in the first, but her club didn’t get another runner on until the seventh.

Oak Hill’s lone run came in the seventh. Taylor Fillion scored on an Alexis Priest infield hit.

“I had a lot of confidence in my hitters,” said Boucher. “I was hoping we’d do some magic. I tried some bunts when I could. With two outs, it’s hard to do that. I really didn’t change the game plan because I had confidence in my hitters, and it just didn’t happen.”

Hall produced a gutsy effort pitching for Oak Hill. She scattered 11 hits and struck out six. She battled despite the deficit her team faced. The defense behind her was solid as well.

“We had to come back and fight our way back,” said Boucher. “It was frustrating, but with this team I thought they were fully capable in doing that.”

Fryeburg took the quick lead in the first on three hits and one error. After Tripp reached on a miscue,  Pearson singled. Maggie McConkey singled in Tripp. Oak Hill  (14-5) nearly escaped the threat with two outs, but Harriman drilled a two-two pitch into the gap for a two-run triple.

“When we’re relaxed, our true team comes and we play our best,” said Pearson.

Fryeburg made it 4-0 in the second. Tripp reached on a bunt hit and scored on a Pearson single. In the fifth, Fryeburg made it 5-0. Charlotte Lewis tripled in Pearson and then scored on a Harriman single.

Fryeburg also got some solid play in the field. Maddy Smith made a nice running catch on a  Fillion fly to left. Michelle Roscoe made a nice scoop of a Hall liner. Lewis made a fine defensive play at second to get Hall out on a grounder.

“It doesn’t happen every day,” said Pearson of Fryeburg’s complete effort. “but when it doesn’t happen, I love it.”

kmills@sunjournal.com

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