Staff Writer

The Scarborough High School softball team had plenty of funk during their 11-0 victory over the Portland Bulldogs. Catie Funk, that is.

The game was highlighted by Funk’s two home runs in the game, breaking the school’s single season home run record Monday night in Scarborough.

The win brought the Red Storm’s record to 14-1 on the season.

Scarborough took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Funk knocked in catcher Heather Carrier on an RBI double.  Outfielder Mo Hannan would then drive in Funk on an RBI single hit to left field.

After a scoreless second inning for both teams, Funk sparked the Red Storm in the bottom of the third with her record-breaking home run, a majestic shot hit over the left center field wall, landing in the parking lot of Wentworth Intermediate School. The homer, Funk’s fifth on the season, gave the Red Storm a 3-0 lead.

Funk was at it again in the bottom of the fourth inning. After and RBI single by Carrier scored pitcher Melissa Dellatorre, Funk hit her second home run of the game over the right center field wall, her sixth home run of the season, giving the Red Storm a 6-0 lead.

Funk finished the game going 2-2 with the two home runs, along with the runs batted in.

After the game, Funk, a senior third baseman, said she was happy to break the home run record, which was previously set at four by Kim Osborne in 1997 and Liz Winslow in 2000.

“It’s pretty exciting, I’m smiling,” Funk said.

Funk, the Southern Maine Activities Association Player of the Year last season, is also ranked second in team history in single season batting average, hitting .549 last season, and third in most RBI’s in a single season with 21 hit last season. 

Scarborough Head Coach Tom Griffin said Funk has played a big role on the team this season.

“She’s been a monster at the plate all year,” Griffin said. “A lot of teams will intentionally walk her. She’s just doing everything.”

Scarborough added four more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning thanks to RBI hits by both Carrier and Abby Rutt, giving the Red Storm a 10-0 lead. Rutt would add an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth to give Scarborough their final run.

Carrier finished the game with three RBI’s on the day, while Rutt contributed with two RBI’s.

The Bulldogs offense was held in check all night by Dellatorre, who pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only three hits and striking out six batters.

Funk said she was happy with the way the Red Storm played.

“We did pretty good, I was pretty excited,” Funk said. “Portland came out strong, but we took care of business and finished strong.”

At 14-1, Scarborough currently has the best record in Western Maine Class A softball. As of press time, the Red Storm will be the number one seeded team in the playoffs, according to the latest Maine Principals’ Association Standings. Scarborough finished their regular season against Cheverus on Wednesday. 

The Red Storm are no strangers to the playoffs, having won the Maine Class A state championship in 2007, and enjoyed an undefeated 16-0 regular season last year before losing to Biddeford in the Western Maine Final.

Funk said she believes the Red Storm’s experience in the playoffs will be a key factor, and new players will be able to gain experience to pass on to future players.

“We’re use to the pressure,” Funk said. “We have some new players this year who will learn the ropes and be able to teach next year’s young ones.” 

Staff writer Dave Dyer can be reached at 282-4337 ext. 219.