The North regional high school baseball championships are on deck for Tuesday, and several Bangor-area teams will be vying for the chance to play in a state title game.
The four North regional matchups, from Class A to Class D, will be split between stadiums in Bangor, Orono and Augusta. And Bangor-area teams will be heavily featured in the action.
Bangor vs. Mt. Ararat, Class A
The Class A regional title game will pit No. 3 Bangor against No. 1 Mt. Ararat at Morton Field in Augusta. That matchup will get underway at 4:30 p.m. as the Bangor Rams look to avenge a 4-0 loss to the Topsham-based Eagles on May 26.
This is a repeat trip to the regional championship for Bangor, which fell to Messolonskee of Oakland at this stage last year. The Rams got the better of Messolonskee this season with a 7-3 comeback win in Saturday’s semifinal, and coach Dave Morris credited his team for “weathering a storm” with hustle and good pitching after falling behind 3-0 early.
“We’ve been doing it all year,” said Kyle Johnson, who closed out the game in relief for Bangor. “We get down and it’s almost like we feel more comfortable that way. It kind of lights a fire under us, playing from behind.”
Hermon vs. Ellsworth, Class B
The Class B North championship game will be the third matchup this season between the Hermon Hawks and Ellsworth Eagles. The No. 5 Hermon team upset top-seeded Cony of Augusta to secure its spot in the regional title game. No. 2 Ellsworth overpowered No. 3 Old Town to punch its ticket to the 6:30 p.m. Tuesday North championship at the University of Maine in Orono.
As a sign of the continued parity in Class B baseball, the Hawks and Eagles split their two previous matchups this season. Ellsworth got the win on May 1 in a 1-0 contest, and Hermon took game two on May 15 by a score of 8-2. The winner of game three in the season series will be crowned regional champion.
Dexter vs. Washington Academy, Class C
After downing top seeded Foxcroft Academy earlier in playoffs, eighth seed upstart Dexter will now face off against second seed Washington Academy of East Machias at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bangor’s Mansfield Stadium. The Class C North championship will be the first meeting this season for the two teams.
Washington Academy finished the regular season at 14-2 and Dexter was 10-6 heading into the playoffs.
Bangor Christian vs. Machias, Class D
The Bangor Christian Patriots steamrolled much of Class D North this season, with the Machias Bulldogs being the lone exception. Machias dealt Bangor Christian its only loss in a 2-1 contest on May 16.
The otherwise perfect Patriots have been led by Mr. Maine Baseball finalist Cole Payne, who has been dominant on the mound this season for the No. 3 Bangor Christian squad. Machias’ 9-5 regular season record earned it the fifth seed in Class D North, and the Bulldogs made the regional final by downing top-seeded Katahdin of Stacyville in the semifinals.
The Class D North championship is scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday at UMaine in Orono.
