Things are Golden in Bucksport > Four schools will be competing for EM titles in baseball, softball

The Bucksport Golden Bucks will have two chances to win an Eastern Maine championship on Thursday.

Peter Kenny will take the mound for the Bucksport baseball team, while Jen Wardwell will step into the circle for the Bucksport softball squad as the Golden Bucks go after regional honors.

Bucksport’s ace hurlers will try to guide their respective teams to victory as one of four schools that will try for championship sweeps.

Bucksport, Jonesport-Beals, Winslow and Cony of Augusta will be sending both their baseball and softball teams into title action.

In Class A, third-seeded Cony (14-4) awaits No. 4 Old Town (14-4) for their 2 p.m. baseball title game, while top-seeded Skowhegan (18-0) will entertain No. 3 Cony (15-3) in a 4 p.m. softball clash.

Class B contests will send No. 2 Bucksport (15-3) to top-seeded Winslow (17-1) for a 2 p.m. baseball clash, while the No. 2 Bucksport softball team (17-1) visits No. 1 Winslow (18-0) at 2:30.

There are no sweep possibilities in the Class C ranks. Top-seeded Central of East Corinth (15-3) will play host to No. 3 George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill (14-4) in the 4 p.m. baseball title game, while No. 6 Limestone (12-6) treks to No. 1 Searsport (13-3) in a 4 p.m. tilt.

In Class D, both Jonesport-Beals teams are title-hunting. The No. 2 Royals (15-2) will travel to Sherman Station for a 2:30 p.m. baseball game against top-seeded Katahdin (10-3). The No. 1 Royalettes (17-0) will entertain No. 3 Machias (13-3) in the softball championship game at 5 p.m.

Pitching duels are expected to materialize in baseball, including a battle of top Class B righthander. Bucksport’s Kenny, a junior with a 6-0 record, is expected to lock up in a duel with Winslow junior righty Marc Hachey (6-1).

The Golden Bucks are paced at the plate by Ben Jenkins, Peter Kenny and Brent Emerson. The Black Raiders counter with Greg Michaud and Aaron Peters.

In Class A, Old Town ace lefthander Gary Sibley (5-2) will oppose Gatorade Player of the Year Gary Veilleux (4-1), another standout lefty, at Maguire Field in Augusta.

Key hitters for Old Town include Brian Wickett, Andy Roy and Jim Evans, while Cony looks to Rex Turner, Brad Veilleux and Keith Deschamp.

The Central Red Devils are expected to send talented senior righthander Toby Pineo (4-0) against GSA’s Greg Marancik, also a senior righty.

Central’s big sticks include Eric Kepple, Brent Mitchell and Chris Labbe. The Eagles’ catalysts are Adam Gray, J.T. Loomis and Jerry Gray.

In Class D, Katahdin’s fortunes will ride on the arm of senior righthander Josh Cullins (4-1). Jones-port-Beals likely will come back with senior twins Jason Harmon and James Harmon.

Aaron Marston, Zak McAvoy and Josh Cullins key the Cougars’ lineup, with Mike King, James Harmon and Tony Beal leading the way for the Royals.

The Class B softball matchup will pit Bucksport’s Wardwell (14-1), who has pitched two three-hitters in the playoffs, against Winslow senior Jen Harrison. Wardwell, Sherri Sanna and Jen Marzolf pace the Bucks, while the Black Raiders rely on Stacie Grenier and Lori Desmond.

In Class C, Searsport will senior senior Jen Russ against Limestone sophomore Kim Chatman. The Vikings’ top hitters include Russ and Mariko Haskell. The Eagles look to Rachel Sharts and Tory Freitas.

In the Class D game, Royalettes junior fireballer Sandi Carver against Bulldogs senior standout Amy Wolverton. Jonesport-Beals beat Machias twice this spring.

Hitting leaders for the Royalettes are Carver and Heidi Stanhope. The Bulldogs, who have only four hits in two playoff games, look to Theda Lehman and Sarah Smith.