BUCKSPORT, Maine — Not only did the Bucksport softball team all but sew up a top-four spot in the Eastern Maine Class B playoffs, but their leader reached a coaching milestone Tuesday afternoon.
The Golden Bucks hit the ball hard early and often and never let up as senior Emily Lenor went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and classmate Megan Panaro went 2-for-4 with three RBIs en route to earning coach Mike Carrier his 300th career victory with an 11-3 win over Old Town on Senior Day at Wardwell Field.
The Bucks set the tone early against a Coyote team playing its third game in less than 24 hours — one of those an 11-inning affair against Mattanawcook — scoring three times in the first after Old Town had jumped out to a 1-0 advantage in the top half of the inning.
Lenor lined a single into left on the first pitch she saw, and Sarah Sutherland plated courtesy runner Megan Harriman with an RBI single. After Bailey Blair reached on a fielders’ choice, Panaro blasted a two-run triple down the right-field line.
“We were just really focused and we’ve been working really hard and we knew what we needed to bring and we brought it,” said Lenor, one of four Bucks seniors playing their final regular-season game.
Carrier’s club, which improved to 11-5, avenged a 9-6 defeat to Old Town, also 11-5.
“The first time we played them we weren’t really focusing like we should’ve and this time defensively and offensively we focused up and got it done,” said senior outfielder Meagan Benson.
Bucksport scored three more times in the third, one on Blair’s RBI single and the other two on a throwing error, while Lenor and Mindy Pye hit run-scoring doubles in the fourth with Benson, Lenor and Panaro lacing run-scoring singles in the sixth.
The fact that Carrier was sitting on 299 victories was certainly weighing on the minds of his players.
“It was in the back of our minds, and we got it done,” senior outfielder India Stewart said.
The Bucks left nothing to chance against Old Town starter Hannah Morin, as the hits from Lenor, Sutherland and Panaro in the bottom of the first all came on first-pitch swings in jumpstarting Bucksport’s 11-run, 14-hit barrage.
“Hannah moves the ball around really well and if you don’t get on her fast she can pick and poke at you and knock you out,” said Carrier.
Knowing the Coyotes had defeated top-ranked Mattanawcook on Monday, the Bucks grew even more focused.
“I think its all mental, I think it comes from the heart,” Panaro said. “If you’re ready, you’re ready. We were focused up.”
Abby Yeo was effective in the circle for Bucksport, scattering three runs on nine hits while not walking a batter with her defense committing no errors behind her.
Carrier, who has coached at Bucksport for 28 years and has been the head coach since 1991, admits nothing has changed after 300 victories.
“I’ve just been blessed with great kids over the years, and its my passion,” he said. “I love working with young ladies, they don’t give you any lip and they do what you ask them to do and they try real hard.”
Sarah Wilcox paced Old Town with three singles, an RBI and a run scored while Amy Singer and Morin each doubled. Hilary Campbell singled in a run.
