The Hampden Junior All-Stars overcame all the odds to win the District 3 championship on Friday. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)Coming into Friday's District 3 Junior softball tournament game, Hampden had a large mountain to climb if they wanted to win a championship. Coming out of the losers bracket, Hampden entered the game with one loss (13-3 against Old Town) and was facing an undefeated Old Town team. Hampden would have to beat Old Town in back to back games.
In the first game the Broncos broke open a 2-2 tie in the fourth inning with four runs highlighted by a Kathryn Gilio 2-run single to take a 6-2 lead. Old Town had closed the score to within three runs at 6-3 by the time they came to bat in the seventh. After scoring two quick runs on RBI singles from Brianna Shirland and McKayla Gastia, Old Town had runners on first and second with just one out. An infield fly rule made it two outs, and they were down to their last out. Emily Barnes ripped a sailing line drive towards shortstop, but Hampden's Ashley Danforth made a leaping grab of the drive to end the rally and force a second championship game.
McKayla Gastia of Old Town puts the ball in play. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)Hitting for Hampden in the game was Gilio (single, two RBIs), Danforth (single, RBI), Sarah Lamberton (single), Olivia Plaisted (single), Kristi Melanson (single), and Katie Cyr (single). Danforth picked up the win from inside the circle.
Ashley Danforth's performance from inside the circle helped Hampden force a second championship game against Old Town on Friday in the District 3 Junior Softball All-Stars tournament at Bangor West. Hampden won the first game 6-5 and came back to win the championship game 9-7. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)Doing the hitting for Old Town was Shirland (two singles, two RBIs), Gastia (two singles, RBI), Ashley Abbott (two singles), Megan Cousins (single, RBI), Ashley England (single, RBI), and Suzie Outman (single).
GAME 1
Maine Sports Report Score Board
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| OLD TOWN (2-1) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 5 |
| HAMPDEN (3-1) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | X | 6 | 6 | 1 |
After a solid performance in the field in game one, Hampden's defense fell apart in the opening innings of the championship game and the Broncos found themselves behind 5-0 after two innings.
The first batter of the game for Old Town, Megan Cousins, reached on a Hampden error. After a steal of second base, two more throwing errors by Hampden allowed Cousins to score the first run before the second batter took a swing. One out, two walks, and another Hampden error set the stage for a 2-run double by Caitlin Goodwin and Old Town led 3-0.
Caitlin Goodwin of Old Town pulls up at second base with a 2-run double. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)In the second inning Cousins singled with two outs, and two more Hampden errors allowed her to come all the way around to score. Suzie Outman then followed with a home run and Old Town was on top 5-0.
Hampden catcher Sarah Lamberton checks a base runner before throwing to first base. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)Old Town added one more run in both the fourth and fifth inning and led 7-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth. Hampden had just one hit over the first four innings, and was looking at a seven run deficit with just three at bats remaining.
With two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Sarah Lamberton singled for Hampden's second hit of the game. Olivia Plaisted, who had the only other Hampden hit of the game (first inning triple), followed Lamberton and drilled a 2-run home run to finally put the Broncos on the scoreboard and cut the Old Town lead to 7-2. A very quiet Hampden bench suddenly became energized.
Olivia Plaisted of Hampden belts a two run homer to spark the Broncos. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)Old Town was held scoreless in the sixth despite having the bases loaded with two outs when Megan Cousins was caught trying to steal home to end the inning. Ashley Danforth kept the Hampden energy alive by leading off the bottom of the sixth with a single and stealing two bases. An Old Town error allowed Danforth to score and make it a 7-3 game. One out later Kylee Fogg was hit by a pitch, and Olivia Dahlberg followed with an RBI double scoring Fogg. Hampden had now closed to within three runs at 7-4. Hannah Snyder, pinch running for Dahlberg, advanced to third on a passed ball and later scored on a passed ball to make it 7-5 Old Town. Dylan Hotham, who reached on a walk, eventually scored on an Old Town error to cut the Old Town lead to 7-6.
Courtney Treadwell of Old Town goes after a wide throw at first base. (Photo by Skip Hawkes)Hampden kept the sixth inning alive when Plaisted reached on a fielder's choice with two outs and Kristi Melanson walked. Plaisted stole third, and came in to score on a wild pitch. The Broncos had now come all the way back from a seven run deficit to tie the game at 7-7. Gilio followed Melanson at the plate and ripped an RBI double scoring Melanson with Hampden's first lead of the game (8-7). Danforth, who started the inning off with a base hit, followed Gilio with an RBI single putting Hampden on top 9-7.
Melanson finished off Old Town in the top of the seventh beginning with a strike out. After a single, Melanson then got the next to batters to ground out and Hampden had accomplished what seemed nearly impossible after the first couple of innings. The Broncos had come all the way back from the losers bracket and won their fourth straight game to become the District 3 Junior All-Stars champions of 2008.
Hampden hitters were Plaisted (home run, triple, two RBIs), Danforth (two singles, RBI), Gilio (double, RBI), Dahlberg (double, RBI), Lamberton (single), and Abby Martin (single).
Hitting for Old Town was Outman (home run, RBI), Goodwin (double, two RBIs), Cousins (single), and Courtney Treadwell (single).
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Maine Sports Report Score Board
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| OLD TOWN (2-2) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 4 |
| HAMPDEN (4-1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | X | 9 | 8 | 8 |
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