South Portland’s softball team took a five-game win streak into Friday’s rainy contest at McAuley, where the Red Riots figured to make it six in a row considering they had beaten the Lions in 11 straight encounters. Senior pitcher Olivia Indorf never got comfortable, however, and it turned into a barnburner.

Mike Strout photos.

McAuley junior Sam Libby gave up three runs in the first inning on four walks and a wild pitch, but settled down in the middle innings.

Down 4-1 in the bottom of the third, the Lions rallied, as with two runners on, freshman catcher Ally Tillotson got all of an Indorf high fastball and crushed it to deep centerfield.

Both runners scored easily and Tillotson circled the bases to tie game.

Tillotson is congratulated by Libby after crossing home.

McAuley senior first baseman Lauren Coulombe followed Tillotson’s home run with a double and slid safely into second.

McAuley tacked on three runs in the fourth to take a 7-4 lead, but the Lions’ bid to break to game open was denied by South Portland sophomore centerfielder Miranda Gleason’s inning-ending diving catch.

Gleason is congratulated by her teammates after recording the out.

South Portland junior rightfielder Paige Carter shows her form at the plate.

The Red Riots refused to suffer a surprising loss as they pulled within 7-6 heading for the seventh. With two down and no one on, junior shortstop Laurine German tripled, Gleason walked and Indorf made up for her tough day on the mound by hitting a clutch three-run home run to put South Portland on top, 9-7.

In the bottom half, Indorf slammed the door and the Red Riots improved to 6-1, dropping the heartbroken Lions to 4-4 in the process.

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