3 EM teams have playoff experience Many girls also played soccer and basketball

For three of the four Eastern Maine teams set to play in Saturday’s state softball championship games, success hasn’t been limited to the spring season this school year.

Bucksport, the Eastern Maine Class B champion, had several familiar faces on the school’s soccer team, which also won a regional title.

Central of Corinth, which will play for the Class C title, made the Eastern Maine quarterfinals in field hockey and made it to the semifinals of the basketball tournament.

Class D winner Lee won EM crowns in soccer and basketball earlier this year.

“It’s the same girls and we’re really excited to be here again,” said Bucksport senior Jessie Taylor, a standout on both Golden Bucks soccer and softball teams. “It’s not the same sport, but I think the experience will help us. It still can definitely make a difference.”

The softball state finals will be held in two locations Saturday.

Class A champ Leavitt of Turner (19-0) will look to defend its 2002 title in a game against Western Maine winner Noble of Berwick (16-3) at 11 a.m. at Coffin Field in Brewer.

Central takes an 18-1 record into its matchup against Western Maine Class C champion Sacopee of Hiram, also 18-1, in a 3 p.m. game at Coffin Field.

The Class B and D games are being held at Gorham High.

Bucksport, 18-1, takes on Gray-New Gloucester, 14-5, at noon. The 14-5 Lee Pandas will meet perennial power Buckfield, 14-2, at 4.

The Golden Bucks, always a tough team in Eastern Maine, are making their first state final appearance since falling to York 7-6 in 1988. Gray-NG topped Erskine of South China 1-0 in 2000.

Central will be playing in its first state championship game since it won a Class C title in 1985. Sacopee was last in a state final in 1987.

Buckfield topped Lee 13-0 in last year’s state championship.