The two final local teams standing in softball playoffs were defeated in the semifinal round of the Eastern Maine Class D playoffs.
The Washburn girls finished their great run Monday at home against Deer Isle-Stonington. The third-seeded Beavers, who had beaten Schenck in the prelim round and East Grand in the quarterfinals last week, had a one-run lead entering the final inning of their game against the Mariners, but were unable to hold it in a 10-7 loss.
“It was very similar to other games this season where we have battled neck and neck and more often than not were able to pull the games off,” said Washburn coach Tammy Tatlock. “We came up short, but I’m very proud of this group for fighting hard each day.”
After going scoreless over the first four innings, Deer Isle-Stonington took a 4-3 lead in the fourth after pitcher Abby Knowlton slammed a three-run homer.
Down by two runs, Washburn rallied to take a 7-6 lead in the bottom of the sixth, with Carmen Bragg scoring on a wild pitch for the go-ahead run.
However, the Mariners rallied to go back in front and kept Washburn in check in the bottom of the inning to advance to today’s title game against Limestone-MSSM.
The Eagles advanced to the championship by downing Ashland Saturday, 9-4.
The Hornets kept the game close into the middle innings, but could not keep up with Limestone-MSSM, who won all three meetings this season.
The Eagles held a 10-4 advantage in hits, with Ellyzabeth Bencivenga’s two-run homer in the fourth the key blow.
Gabby Cyr recorded a pair of singles for the Hornets, who had beaten Bangor Christian and Fort Fairfield in playoff contests earlier in the week.
In Class B, Presque Isle topped Erskine in a home prelim last Tuesday, 10-3, but dropped a quarterfinal to No. 1 Gardiner Thursday, 4-1.
