3 contests today open EM quarterfinal tourney action

The road to regional baseball and softball supremacy begins in earnest Friday with a trio of Eastern Maine quarterfinal contests.

Two baseball games are scheduled for Friday. In Class C, third-seeded George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill (12-4) entertains No. 6 Limestone (10-5) at 4 p.m. Deer Isle-Stonington, the No. 4 seed at 6-8, plays host to fifth-seeded Southern Aroostook of Dyer Brook (9-6) in a 3 p.m. Class D quarterfinal.

One Class C softball contest is on the docket, pitting No. 3 Madawaska (10-3) against No. 6 Limestone (10-6) at 4 p.m.

At Deer Isle, the Mariners will have the rare distinction of playing playoff host to Southern Aroostook. The Warriors of 25th-year coach Murray Putnam had hosted 22 consecutive postseason games prior to Friday, dating back to the 1984 season.

Deer Isle-Stonington, under first-year coach Richard Santospago, will go with senior righthander Corey Webb (3-1) on the hill. SAHS will counter with either junior righty Kyle Fox (5-1) or senior righthander Scott McLellan.

Fox, Snapper Legassey, and Aaron Greenlaw head the Warriors’ offense, while the Mariners look to Webb (.294, 16 RBIs) and freshman Steven Bye (.324).

At Madawaska, the Owls will entertain the Eagles in the rubber game after splitting during the regular season. Brent O’Neal’s Limestone team won 10-3 at home on April 30, but Ed Marshall’s Madawaska crew came back to win 10-9 on its field on May 11.

Owls senior Debbie Jandreau will oppose Eagles sophomore Kim Chatman on the mound. Madawaska’s key batters are Kayla Baker, Jill Dube, and Jandreau. Limestone relies on Rachel Sharts to set the pace.

At Blue Hill, Dan Kane’s GSA Eagles await Limestone, coached by Ryan Enman.

George Stevens, is likely to throw Jon Grindal or Greg Marancik, while Limestone’s top pitchers are Rob McDougal and John Butts.

Hitting catalysts include James Rankin for the host Eagles and Tony Tobin for Limestone’s Eagles.