SKOWHEGAN — After building a 6-0 advantage in the second inning, Skowhegan fought off a late-game rally to post a narrow 7-6 win over Mt. Blue in a late-season KVAC softball tilt Wednesday.

Bonnie-Jane Aiken broke the game open for Skowhegan with an RBI double in that key second frame, followed by RBI singles from Wylie Bedard and Anne Worthen. Bedard and her sister Eliza led the Indians with two hits apiece.

The Cougars (5-10) were paced by Addie Brinkman with three hits, while Rachelle Bator and Kayliegh Fontaine each collected two hits.

Gardiner 12, Spruce Mountain 0

GARDINER — Senior catcher Morgan Carver recorded a double in a game that mostly featured walks as Gardiner grabbed a 12-0 victory over Spruce Mountain in softball action Wednesday afternoon.

The Tigers (13-0) jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the second inning with seven runs in the frame. Gardiner took advantage of 12 walks along the way.

The Phoenix (2-11) posted five hits, but failed to plate a runner in the losing effort.

Fryeburg 3, Poland 2

FRYEBURG — Nicole Bennett doubled home the first run and pitched the complete game victory with two strikeouts as Fryeburg edged Poland 3-2 in softball action Wednesday afternoon.

The Knights took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning, but failed to score again down the stretch. Pitcher Kolby Woods struck out nine batters, but relief pitcher Kylie Martin gave up the go ahead and winning run in the bottom of the seventh.

Mackenzie Buzzell doubled and scored in the first inning for the Raiders (11-4) in the winning effort.

Baseball

Lawrence 6, Lewiston 2

FAIRFIELD — Rightfielder Jesse Dodge smacked a double in the six-run sixth inning as Lawrence secured a 6-2 victory over Lewiston in KVAC baseball action Wednesday afternoon.

The Blue Devils (4-11) scored first when senior first baseman singled home senior short stop Mike Wong, who had doubled, in the top of the third inning.

Lewiston managed another run in the seventh inning, but came up short.

Winthrop 10, Mountain Valley 3

WINTHROP — Matt Sekarak scattered eight hits in seven innings of work and drew ample run support as Winthrop hustled to a 10-3 late-season win over Mountain Valley in MVC baseball action Wednesday.

Jacob Hickey led the Ramblers (12-2) with two hits and four RBIs, while Matt Ingram plated two runs on two hits, highlighted by a home run in the sixth. Dakota Carter also contributed with a pair of hits and one RBI.

The Falcons (7-8) were paced by Tucker Rowland with two hits, including a bases-clearing triple in the fourth.

Poland 6, Fryeburg 0

FRYEBURG — Nicholis L’Hereaux-Carland hurled seven innings of two-hit baseball Wednesday and drew adequate run support as Poland raced away to a 6-0 shutout over Fryeburg.

Caleb Banker led the Knights (5-10) with two RBIs, while Rob Porter belted out two hits.

Ben Bernier worked the first six frames for Fryeburg (2-12) and suffered the loss.

Bates seeks first national rowing title this weekend

LEWISTON — This Friday and Saturday at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center represents the ninth year in a row that the Bates women’s rowing team will compete in the NCAA Championships. It’s the second time (the first being one year ago) that the Bobcats enter the national regatta as the top-ranked team in Division III.

The five-year stretch from 2009 to 2013 saw the Bobcats assume both the prestige and frustration implicit in winning a silver medal. Somewhere during that time, the question was asked that has since become a perennial one: Since Bates’ varsity eight and second varsity eight have already beaten their primary competition in their past two regattas, they are the heavy favorite.

The field of teams at nationals is always familiar, and the same holds true this year. Five of the eight schools competing are from the New England Small College Athletic Conference, and they are the top five teams in the Division III national poll as well: after No. 1 Bates, there’s No. 2 Williams, No. 3 Trinity, No. 4 Hamilton and No. 5 Tufts, which is limited to one eight. Filling out the eight-school field are No. 6 Wellesley, No. 12 Washington (Md.) College and No. 13 University of Puget Sound, which like Tufts will only field one boat.