Vikings, Tigers EM baseball’s only unbeatens Both regional finalists in 2004

With less than two weeks left in high school baseball’s regular season, just two undefeated teams remain in Eastern Maine.

One other thing Searsport and Shead of Eastport have in common is their finishes a year ago, when each advanced to the regional championship game in its division before being eliminated, Searsport in Class C by George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill, Shead in Class D by Lee Academy.

Searsport graduated six starters off its 2004 team, so the fact the Vikings are 10-0 heading into today’s game against Deer Isle-Stonington may come as a surprise to many who follow Class C baseball, even some of their own fans.

“To be honest, after the Eastern Maine game last year, a couple of people came up and said it would be nice to get back to that point in a couple of years,” said second-year head coach David Pepin. “I didn’t think we’d be sitting 10-0 at this point, but I thought a good goal would be to get back to the final four.”

Searsport’s success is based on pitching and defense. A staff led by junior Matt Nickerson has yielded just seven runs (six earned) in 10 games, and the Vikings have made just six errors.

Nickerson has allowed only two runs while compiling a 4-0 record, which includes two victories against George Stevens, the two-time defending Class C state champion.

The first of those wins, a 3-1 decision in the Vikings’ third game, served to boost a youthful team that includes nine freshmen and sophomores among its 15 players.

“That was a huge win for us confidence-wise,” said Pepin. “It gave the kids a lot of confidence, and they’re really fired up about baseball.”

Nickerson, senior Tyson McHatten (2-0), senior Mike Adams (2-0), and sophomore Josh Nickerson (1-0, a no-hitter) have combined for an 0.76 earned run average and have walked fewer than three batters per game while working with freshman catcher Casey Ashey.

Matt Nickerson plays shortstop when not on the mound, part of a strong defensive infield that also includes senior second baseman-shortstop Ryan Shute, third baseman Josh Nickerson, and junior first baseman Sean Johnson.

McHatten, Adams, and sophomore Caleb Ashey man the outfield for the Vikings.

Shead has ventured deep into the Eastern D playoffs frequently the last few years, reaching the semifinals in 2001 and 2002 and the championship game in 2003 and 2004.

And with all but three seniors back this year, the Tigers figure to make another serious postseason run.

“Two years ago we graduated nine seniors and seven starters, and I figured if we went .500 and got into a playoff game that would be a good season, but then we went 15-1 and got to the final again,” Shead coach Ron Sullivan said. “This year since we didn’t lose as much, I figured we’d be competitive and make a run, and so far so good.”

Shead’s season to date has been highlighted by a 3-2, eight-inning victory over Downeast Athletic Conference rival Washington Academy of East Machias, the most pointworthy foe on the Tigers’ schedule.

The Tigers have faced their share of challenges this year, most notably dealing with basketball-related injuries to pitcher-shortstop Aaron Sullivan (5-0) and pitcher-first baseman Derek Maloney (3-0). Sullivan suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon on Jan. 10, while Maloney suffered injured ankle ligaments late in the season.

In addition, leadoff hitter Cody Bulmer has had to overcome a broken leg suffered during soccer season.

But all are back and playing leading roles for the Tigers, along with senior third baseman Josh Francis, the team’s cleanup hitter who is hitting .580.

Shead, which is slated to play Narraguagus in Harrington today, also has had some significant contributions from senior infielder Nick Martinez, sophomore center fielder Craig Hastings, and freshman lefthander Michael Cummings (2-0).

“I’d like to think the kids think they can compete with anybody,” Sullivan said.