Bookmark & share:

E-mail this page E-mail a letter to the editor Reader Comments (below)

BY MATT DiFILIPPO
Staff Writer 05/16/2008

Staff Writer

Winslow dropped its first game Monday after a 6-0 start, and coach Terry Parlin said the defending Eastern B champions handled the setback well.

"We talk before every game and basically say, 'No awards are being handed out today,' " Parlin said. "We talked about the last three seasons, and the greatest number of losses during the regular season led us to a state championship. The fewest losses led us to the earliest (exit).

"Sometimes those losses aren't going to hurt you. In fact, they make you realize that you're vulnerable, and you rededicate yourself and work a little harder."

That loss to Medomak Valley was also the first varsity loss for senior pitcher Katie Knowlen, who has started every game this season for the Black Raiders.

"She wants the ball every game," Parlin said. "We want to go in with the best opportunity to win the game, and right now our best opportunity is with K.K. pitching."

Winslow also has two good left-handed pitchers in freshmen Kaite Bernard and Julie Riordan, who have filled in as outfielders and delivered some key hits while they await their chance on the mound. Second baseman Lindsay Gordon and first baseman Dani Ouelette have also played well in their first year on the varsity team.

Winslow's lineup is stronger with center fielder and leadoff hitter Jill Smith. A standout three-sport athlete, Smith suffered a concussion on the team's Florida trip when she tried to steal second and hit the knee of the shortstop who took the throw.

Parlin said Smith, who returned for Wednesday's 10-1 win over Lincoln, is outstanding in the outfield and can bunt/slap her way on base or hit with power.

• • •

Nokomis is rounding into form, hopes coach J.D. McLellan. The Warriors were missing several players early in the season and have been up and down, with the lowest point a loss to Messalonskee after leading 6-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.

"They never give up, which we should have known," McLellan said. "We relaxed a little bit. We've been right with every other team."

Nokomis is 5-5 heading into today's game at Bangor. The Rams were second in the Eastern A Heal points entering the week and defeated Nokomis 4-1 on April 25. That game was 2-1 entering the seventh.

"They don't play the small ball as much, but they can hit long," McLellan said. "To beat them, we're going to have to get them on their heels and make them think a little bit more."

The Warriors have a do-everything player in third baseman Danielle White. Confining White to one primary position is misleading, as she has played every position in the infield or outfield in preseason or the regular season.

"We didn't have her catch yet, but I'm thinking about putting her there just so we can say she played every position," McLellan said.

Also for Nokomis, catcher Sammy Moore is hitting the ball hard consistently, shortstop Autumn Silke is hitting over .500 from the leadoff position and Patrice Cianchette has been solid on the mound.

• • •

Some big games over the next week will determine playoff positioning when the final Heal points come out in early June. Skowhegan hosts Brewer today, and next week Winslow hosts both Maranacook and Oak Hill, each of whom have lost just once this season. For more on these matchups, check out the high school blog at http://centralmaine.mainetoday.com/sports/hsblog.

Matt DiFilippo -- 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

Bookmark and share this story: