By Jim Lockwood
Staff Writer

Lamprey River's Jr. League all-star softball team allowed more than eight runs per game - a tally that would normally make winning consistently quite a challenge.

But in LR's run through this year's state tournament, the players used a heavy offensive attack - and plenty of humorous antics - to roll to a state title.

The Lamprey River Jr. League softball all-star team will play in the 2005 regional tournament in Mattydale, N.Y., beginning Saturday, Aug. 6, after winning the state tournament with two wins against Salem, where the champs outscored the opposition, 33- 17. The championship club includes, front row from left, Charlie McGowen, Kyle Fortin, Sarah Richard, Tabatha Zimmermann and Meredith Ridley, plus back row from left, coach Brian Fortin, Jackie Donovan, Holly Post, Annie Mitchell, Lyndze Priebe, Nicole LeMauk, Tori Cameron, Sam Durgin and coach Rick Mitchell. (Courtesy Photo)

In its two tournament contests, Lamprey River surrendered a total of 17 runs, but scored a total of 33.

As a result, the locals earned a trip to the upcoming regional tournament beginning Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Mattydale Little League Complex in Mattydale, N.Y., just outside of Syracuse.

According to head coach Brian Fortin, LR posted backto- back victories because of its aggressive base running.

In fact, allowing eight runs per game didn't put LR at a disadvantage in Fortin's eyes because high run totals are common at his club's level of play. In Fortin's opinion, holding any team to eight runs equals a solid defensive effort.

On Saturday, July 16, LR beat Salem, 18-8, and defeated Salem again on Monday, July 19, 15-9.

According to Fortin and the players, the opposition's run totals were the result of one bad inning.

In the first game, LR fell behind, 7-2, allowing six unearned runs in the second inning. But LR battled back.

During the state tourney, Fortin's approach consisted of reminding the girls they had plenty of time to mount a comeback.

The head coach was constantly preaching the power of positive thinking.

"Good and bad things happen," Fortin said. "When errors start you have to stop it. Their esteem gets higher the better they play. If you dwell on (the negatives, the girls) will shut right down."

"Mr. Fortin is always telling us we're allowed to have one bad inning," said Annie Mitchell of Candia, the team's regular catcher.

The girls were certainly aware that big leads can diminish very quickly. Fortin said they've learned that lesson many times in five years of playing together.

Fortin added being aggressive on offense demoralizes the opposition and adds to the girls' focus.

Between innings, Lamprey River showed its lighter side.

"We're not very coordinated, but we cheer all the time," said Candia's Holly Post, who platooned at second base this postseason with Candia's Meredith Ridley.

Mitchell, according to some of her teammates, was a leader of the dugout songs.

At times, some of the girls danced to the songs played over the loudspeaker between innings. On one occasion, a group did the Macarena.

However, these girls know when it's time to be serious.

Besides the regular practice routine, they also had to raise their own money to cover the travel expenses for next week's trip to Central New York.

The team consists of Candia's Ridley, Mitchell, Post and Kyle Fortin, along with Tori Cameron, Jackie Donovan, Nicole LeMauk, Charlie McGowan, Lyndze Priebe, Sam Durgin, Sarah Richards and Tabatha Zimmerman.