The preliminary playoff round was not very fruitful for local baseball and softball teams as Southern Aroostook’s baseball squad and the Hodgdon and Houlton softball teams were all eliminated from the postseason.
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. 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.
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.
