STANDISH, Maine — For players on both teams in Saturday’s Class C softball state championship game, there were plenty of opportunities to see things from the other side.
For North champ Narraguagus of Harrington, the contest at Saint Joseph’s College presented it with the challenge of facing a left-handed pitcher for the first time this season.
For Madison and first-year starting pitcher Lauria LeBlanc, it was a chance to win a gold glove after losing in the final a year ago.
LeBlanc pitched a masterful two-hitter that included 14 strikeouts, keeping Narraguagus batters off balance as Madison capped an undefeated season with a 7-3 victory.
Coach Chris LeBlanc’s Bulldogs (20-0) spotted the Knights a three-run, first-inning lead, but responded with a five-run second inning to secure Madison’s ninth state title and its third in the last five seasons (2014, 2016).
For Madison’s seniors in particular, the experience of playing in three straight championship games, including last year’s loss to Bucksport, provided both confidence and motivation.
“That’s a horrible feeling and we didn’t want to feel like that again,” said senior Sydney LeBlanc. “And also we know what it’s like to win it, too.”
Narraguagus (18-2), coached by Tracie Martin, could not measure Lauria LeBlanc and provide support for pitcher Lanie Perry.
LeBlanc’s delivery from the left side presented problems for the Knights, who were making only the program’s second championship appearance and the first since 2002.
“I had a little bit of jitters this game, but they kind of went away after the second inning,” said LeBlanc, who was Madison’s right fielder a year ago.
“I actually do think that they did have a little hard time. My ball spins outside to the right-handers.’’
’Guagus mustered only a first-inning bunt single by Kirstin Kennedy and Kylee Joyce’s ground-ball single in the sixth.
“It was a new experiencing hitting with a left-handed pitcher. We haven’t hit off of it at all, especially with speed, so that was a big factor for us,” Perry said.
Narraguagus tried to prepare for the challenge by facing a lefty in practice last week.
“I think our nerves got us a little bit in the second inning, which kind of hurt, and that was a big inning for them,” Martin said. “From the second inning on, she [LeBlanc] shut us down.”
The Bulldogs stumbled early as their shortstop committed three errors that led to three unearned runs. The shaky start did not affect LeBlanc. She struck out seven straight batters starting with the final out of the inning and retired 15 consecutive hitters before Joyce’s two-out single in the sixth. She did not walk a batter.
“It was a frustrating start, whether it was emotions or what it was,” coach Chris LeBlanc said, “but the senior leadership, knowing that we’ve been in games (like this was key).”
Madison posted six hits against Perry, who struck out eight, walked three and hit a batter. However, they came up with some timely ones, including three two-out hits in the five-run second inning.
Lauria LeBlanc drew a leadoff walk and advanced on a wild pitch before Perry fanned the next two batters. Emily Edgerly hit a fly-ball triple to right-center for the first run.
After Ashley Emery was hit by a pitch, Whitney Bess worked a walk to load the bases. Sydney LeBlanc followed with a bases-clearing double down the line in left and Virginia Worthen capped the rally with a line-drive RBI single off the third baseman’s glove that made it 6-3.
“Coach LeBlanc makes sure that we stay up and our bench was very supportive as well,” Sydney LeBlanc said of Madison’s resilience.
Perry hit her stride after that, giving up only one hit and an unearned run over the last 4 1/3 innings. But the Knights had only one baserunner the rest of the way.
“[Lauria] certainly has faith in the people behind her, but I think she put it into another gear this afternoon and just figured, if they’re not going to hit the ball, I don’t have to worry about anybody making plays,” Chris LeBlanc said.
Martin, who loses only one starter in shortstop Madison Leighton, is looking forward to watching her team try to take the next step.
“They worked hard all year. You can’t ask for more from a group of kids. We haven’t been here for 16 years.”
Narraguagus hopes the experience will aid them in the quest to get back to the title game.
“Hopefully next year we’ll be back here again. That’s all our big goal,” Perry said.