Maine closes out the high school softball season with MPA championships

The high school softball season around the country finally came to an end this past weekend with the Maine Principal Association (MPA) state championships. The four contests were played between St. Joseph’s College and the University of Maine.

Four state title games took place from Classes A to D, with the MPA crowning champions in each classification.

In the Class A state championship tilt between Windham and Edward Little, the Eagles blanked the Red Eddies, 7-0, behind a strong pitching performance from senior hurler Kennedy Kimball. The pitcher went the distance, allowing just two mere hits and striking out a game-high 11.

Medomak Valley edging Hermon, 1-0, for the Class B state crown was the tightest contest in terms of scoring of any game out of the weekend. Panthers’ pitcher Sydney Nichols brought her best stuff in the circle, striking out 12, yielding just three hits and leading the program to their first state championship since 1995.

Another Maine state championship game that involved a stellar performance from their senior pitcher was Bucksport upending Hall-Dale, 6-2, for the Class C title. It was senior Natalie Simpson closing the door on the Bulldogs, with the pitcher pitching all seven frames, giving up four hits, two runs and fanning 12 batters along the way.

Lastly in the Class D state title tilt between Buckfield and Penobscot Valley, it would be the Bucks defeating the Howlers 5-0. Brittany Carrier belted a home run and Carmen Crocket pitched a nearly perfect game, going seven innings, one hit, no walks and striking out 16 batters. With the win, Buckfield notched the program’s 10th state championship.

The New England region has always been one of the final areas around the country to wrap up spring sports. Just last weekend, Connecticut held its state championship games.