Softball Game Preview: Houlton Shiretowners vs. Mattanawcook Lynx

Houlton is 0-9 against Mattanawcook since May of 2015 but things could change on Friday. The Shiretowners will face off against the Lynx at 4:00 p.m. Each of these teams will be battling to keep a three-game winning streak alive.

While Houlton didn't have the best season last year (they finished 6-9), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They blew past Caribou 13-3 on Monday.

The scorekeeper got an easy start on Thursday as neither Mattanawcook nor Dexter made it on the board until the fifth inning. The Lynx never let the Tigers get on the board and left with a 7-0 win. The Lynx might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won five games by six runs or more this season.

Julianna Cloukey made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run while striking out seven over seven innings pitched. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-2 with one stolen base and one run. That stolen base marked the first that she has snagged this season.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Megan House, who went 2-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, and one double. Another player making a difference was Kalista Lazo, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run.

Houlton's record is now 4-1. As for Mattanawcook, their record now sits at 7-3.

Houlton couldn't quite finish off Mattanawcook when the teams last played back in May of 2024 and fell 8-6. Can the Shiretowners avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.