Tuesday and Wednesday were busy days for playoff games for several County teams on the baseball and softball diamonds, with a couple of local squads advancing with victories. After a rainy start to the morning, the quarterfinal round is expected to go on as scheduled Thursday, June 6, for those squads still alive in the postseason.
Thursday’s quarterfinal baseball round sees No. 1 Central Aroostook hosting No. 8 Machias at 2 p.m.; No. 3 Hodgdon hosts No. 6 Katahdin at 4 p.m.; and No. 2 Woodland hosts No. 7 Fort Fairfield at 4 p.m.
In softball, No. 1 Katahdin hosts No. 9 Woodland at 4 p.m.; No. 5 Ashland travels to No. 4 Stearns of Millinocket at 4 p.m.; No. 3 Southern Aroostook hosts No. 6 Deer Isle-Stonigton at 1 p.m.; and No. 7 Fort Fairfield travels to No. 2 Penobscot Valley at 2 p.m.
The following is a recap of Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s prelim games.
Baseball
No. 5 Penobscot Valley 9, No. 12 Southern Aroostook 1 — At Howland Tuesday, June 4, in a Class D North prelim game, Gavin Vining and Jonothan Hardy each had one single for the only Southern Aroostook hits on the day. The Howler pitching staff struck out 14 Southern Aroostook batters. The Warriors end their season with a 6-9 overall record, while PVHS improves to 15-2.
No. 7 Fort Fairfield 3, No. 10 Bangor Christian 2 — At Fort Fairfield Tuesday, June 4, the host Tigers narrowly got past visiting Bangor Christian in a Class D North prelim. Game results were not reported.
No. 4 Medomak Valley 8, No. 13 Caribou 2 — At Waldoboro Tuesday, June 4, the Vikings were eliminated in a Class B North prelim. Caribou’s Noah Hixon doubled and singled with an RBI to lead the team. Mason Patten tossed 3 1/3 innings, allowing one earned run on four hits and four walks with four strikeouts. Jake Berkoski tossed the remained for Caribou allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks. Duncan Widecombe and Gabe Allaire each had two singles to spark Medomak Valley.
No. 3 Central 9, No. 6 Houlton 4 — At East Corinth on Wednesday, June 5, in a Class C North quarterfinal matchup, the defending regional champion Shires were eliminated by Central in a hard-fought game. David Tucker hit a solo home run in the top of the third to give us a 1-0 lead. Tyler Bailey then gave up five runs in the bottom of the third inning. The Shires pulled closer (5-3) when Keegan Gentle blasted a solo home run. Central then scored four more runs and put the game out of reach in the final three innings.
Softball
No. 5 Ashland 26, No. 12 Hodgdon 1 — At Ashland Tuesday, June 4 in a Class D North prelim, the Hornets stung visiting Hodgdon with an offensive explosion. Ashland blasted 22 hits against the Hawks, with Olivia Tardie leading the way with a home run, double and two singles. Kayla Maclean also had a home run and added three singles, while Jamie Poulin had two doubles, a single with six RBI. Shelby Stolze had a triple and a single with seven RBI.
For Hodgdon (5-10 overall), Martha Wilson had a double and Allie Winship and Kaelyn Lawlow each had a single.
Ashland travels to Millinocket Thursday to take on No. 4 Stearns in the quarterfinals.
No. 7 Sumner 12, No. 10 Houlton 1 — At East Sullivan Tuesday, June 4, in a Class C North prelim, the Shires hopes of an upset were dashed as Sumner pitcher Lauren Hanna twirled a two-hitter with 10 strikeouts. Molly Schneider had a double to lead Houlton. Victoria Forbush added a single and scored the lone Houlton run.
No. 2 Woodland 13, No. 8 Central Aroostook 2 — At Baileyville Tuesday, June 4, in a Class D North prelim, the Panthers of Mars Hill (4-11) were eliminated by Woodland (7-8). Individual results were not reported.
No. 7 Fort Fairfield 18, No. 10 Shead 16 — At Fort Fairfield Tuesday, a clash between two Tigers took place. The Fort Fairfield Tigers (8-7) beat the Shead Tigers (4-9) in a high-scoring game. Individual results were not reported. Fort Fairfield faces No. 2 Penobscot Valley of Howland (15-1) at 2 p.m. Thursday in the quarterfinals.
No. 4 Medomak Valley 15, No. 13 Presque Isle 0 — At Waldoboro Tuesday, June 4, in a Class B North prelim, the Wildcats were shut out by the host Panthers of Medomak Valley. Individual results were not reported. Presque Isle ends its season with an 8-9 record.
