Cony’s Ben Allen throws a pitch Tuesday against Hermon in the Class B North baseball final in Orono. The Rams face Fryeburg in Saturday’s state title game. (Joe Phelan/Staff Photographer)
The Maine high school spring sports season reaches its conclusion with two days of excitement, as 14 state champions will be crowned Friday and Saturday. Some teams are hoping to win their first state title, while others are trying to repeat, and a few are seeking revenge after losing to the same foes in last year’s state finals.
We asked Varsity Maine reporters for something important to know about each state championship game matchup. Here’s what they said about the four baseball finals.
BASEBALL
Class A: Gorham (18-1) vs. Bangor (16-3)
Both teams — especially the pitchers — will need to keep emotions in check. Gorham (18-1) knows some are rooting against the South champs because they were in danger of elimination in the quarterfinals, trailing 6-0 against Falmouth before they were saved by a thunderstorm that forced the game to be replayed. Whether it’s Miles Brenner or Wyatt Washburn starting on thd mound for Gorham, they also know Bangor drew eight walks in its regional final against North top seed Oxford Hills. Lucas Rutherford, Bangor’s likely starting pitcher, has had control issues in some games. He and his teammates are trying to send retiring Bangor coach Dave Morris off with a championship.
Class B: Fryeburg Academy (16-3) vs. Cony (17-2)
Want a classic game? Well, nothing in a state championship game could ever be guaranteed, but Cony and Fryeburg certainly have a good shot at providing one. These two teams won their regional semifinal and title games by a combined five runs: Cony defeated Mount Desert Island 2-1 and Hermon 4-2 in the North, and the Raiders beat both Cape Elizabeth and Greely by 4-3 scores in the South.
Class C: Monmouth Academy (18-1) vs. Washington Academy (18-1)
This rematch of last year’s state final, won by Monmouth, can be defined in one word: Dominance. Both teams were widely picked to win their regions before the season began. They did so emphatically. Monmouth outscored opponents 194-31 and Washington had a 228-21 margin. The two even took down top opponents from Class B: Monmouth beat eventual B North champ Cony 12-11, and the Raiders topped B North semifinalists Mount Desert Island 11-1 and Ellsworth 6-1.
Class D: Telstar (16-3) vs. Fort Fairfield (17-0)
Both pitching staffs will need to tame the other team’s bats, which won’t be easy because the Rebels and Tigers know how to hit. Telstar has 124 hits this season, and Fort Fairfield is right behind with 122. The Tigers have more doubles (24 to 15) and a team batting average that is 83 points higher (.380 to .297).
