By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer

It was one of the goals the Mt. Abram softball team began the year with, now the Roadrunners hope to update their ambitions.

The Roadrunners succeeded in earning a home playoff game in the stacked Western C field, hosting Livermore Falls today in a preliminary matchup. It will be just the second home playoff game for the Roadrunners in more than 20 years.

The last home tournament game was a prelim during the open tournament in 2001.

“We wanted to play here,” said Mt. Abram softball coach Jeff Pillsbury. “That was our goal this year. I think the girls know enough about softball that they know they have to execute. I hope that they’re not overconfident, but realistic.”

The Roadrunners (11-5) already beat the Andies this season, 10-0, and won a prelim last year against Livermore Falls on the road.

“They had beaten us at their place pretty soundly,” Pillsbury said. “They hit well, and then we went down there and beat them.”

The Roadrunners are hoping to avoid a similar reversal of fortune. Logahn Walker pitched a one-hitter against the Andies (8-8) while Mt. Abram pounded out 12 hits in the 10-0 victory last month. It was a rare start for Walker, typically the Roadrunners shortstop. Instead, the Andies will likely see Katie Walker, a second team MVC all-star. Danielle Gray was a MVC first team selection but got the loss against the Roadrunners.

“If Gray has her A-game, we’ll have our hands full,” said Pillsbury. “Sometimes your hitting is on one game, and it isn’t the next.”

In another MVC rematch, Lisbon (11-5) hosts Georges Valley (8-6). The Greyhounds eked out a 9-7 victory over the Bucs in a wild affair late in the season. Sioban Riordan singled in a pair of runs in the eighth inning to lift Lisbon to the victory.

“I think it will be similar,” said Lisbon coach Mike Fortier. “Hopefully, it will be similar in terms of closeness. Hopefully, we’re ready to play.”

Though Lisbon jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first two innings, the game featured 16 runs, 26 hits and nine errors. Georges Valley lost in the regional final last spring, but have a wealth of new faces in the lineup. The Greyhounds won its prelim game last year and have much of that group back.

“I think we’ve had a pretty consistent and strong season,” said Fortier. “We dropped a few spots in the Heal Points, but we still won games.”

Also in Western C, Madison (12-4) will host Dirigo (6-10). The Bulldogs beat the Cougars 10-1 in the regular season. Wiscasset (6-9) travels to St. Dom’s to face a Saints team (11-3) that has been to the regional final four of the last five years.

In Eastern A, Lewiston (8-8) will also have a rematch. The Blue Devils play at Skowhegan, where they lost 6-0 when Mariah Daigle pitched a two-hitter and struck out 10. Skowhegan (13-3) scored four runs in the first two innings and didn’t face regular starter Amanda Michaud until the sixth.

Leavitt (8-8) also takes the road to play at Hampden Academy (12-4). Oxford Hills (12-4) will host Old Town (6-10), a team the Vikings know little about.

“Not knowing the team, for us, is kind of better,” said Viking coach Cindy Goddard. “If it was someone we had played before, we’d know what to expect. Not knowing, we have to play our game to win.”