By Randy Whitehouse,Staff Writer

Edward Little coach Scott Annear has a suggestion that everyone from Auburn to West Paris could agree upon.

“Since we’re so close, why don’t we meet Oxford Hills at Hebron Academy again,” Annear said. “It makes sense, doesn’t it?”

Enough sense that the Maine Principals’ Association is considering moving the Eastern Class A final between Edward Little and Oxford Hills from Mansfield Stadium in Bangor to another yet-to-be determined Eastern Maine site, to make Wednesday’s 3 p.m. start time more accommodating to fans.

The game won’t be moved to Hebron Academy, although the fifth-seeded Eddies (14-5) wouldn’t mind returning to the scene of their 8-5 win over the Vikings on May 27. The game was moved due to unplayable conditions at Oxford Hills’ home field.

EL overcame a 4-0 deficit in that game thanks to the hitting of Brian Erickson and Robie Leighton (three hits apiece) and the strong pitching of Chris Merrill, who shook off a rough start to get the complete game win.

Merrill (4-1) is coming off a three-hitter in the Eddies’ 3-1 semifinal upset of top-seeded Gardiner, and Shane Slicer, coach of the second-seeded Vikings (15-3), expects to see him again.

“If he feels well, I expect to see him,” said Slicer, whose team touched Merrill for 10 hits back in May. “We hit him well last time, but if he’s healthy, he’s their best going right now.”

Senior righty Matt McDonnell (5-1) will get the call for the Vikings. His only loss in the regular season came against EL, which knocked him around for seven runs and 10 hits in five innings.

McDonnell picked up the win in a nine-hit complete game when Oxford Hills beat Bangor, 10-4, in the semifinals. He also went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer.

Both coaches dismissed the idea of the first match-up being a factor in Wednesday’s contest. Annear said he’s just glad that EL drew a familiar opponent.

“It’s not like there are all of those unknowns, like if we were playing Bangor,” he said. “We know we’ve got to show up and be ready to play. They’re a great team.”

This is EL’s first regional final since 1992, when the Eddies were in Western Maine and won the state title. It is the Vikings’ third Eastern Maine final in the last four years. Their last win came in 2002.

“I don’t think it favors us. They’ve seen enough competition,” Slicer said. “I think we’ll be fine as long as we don’t put too much pressure on ourselves. Whoever makes more mistakes is going to lose.”

While they lack a lot of Class A tournament experience, the Eddies do have a number of players that have played together in high-pressure games, including national Little League tournaments, through the years.

“These kids are so tight and they really like playing together,” Annear said. “They’ve been playing together a long time and they have a ton of confidence in each other.”