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AUBURN — When Lewiston players were tasked with writing down their team goals for the season, advancing past the quarterfinals was at the top of almost everyone’s list.
Flash forward three months, and the Blue Devils accomplished their goal and then some, defeating Skowhegan 3-1 in a Class A North semifinal Saturday at Central Maine Community College.
No. 2 Lewiston (15-3) will play for the regional title Tuesday, again at CMCC, against fifth-seeded Hampden Academy (10-6), which defeated No. 1 Oxford Hills in 11 innings.
“It’s huge for us,” said sophomore pitcher Harlee Gasser. “I mean, we went to playoffs last year. This year, we’ve just proved to ourselves we can beat anyone as long as we put everything, put our all into it. I think we’re going to go far.”
The Blue Devils, who were eliminated in the quarterfinals the past two years, are trying to win the program’s first regional title.
“I’m really proud of our team,” junior Chloe Croteau said. “We’ve worked so hard throughout the season. We’ve been preparing for this for a very long time, and I’m just so happy for everyone.”
How it happened
• Gasser was in control from the top of the first inning onward, striking out three of the first four batters. Lewiston’s offense supported the sophomore’s effort, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when a Haydin Hughes single drove in Croteau.
• Skowhegan tied the game in the fourth, but Lewiston answered in the bottom half of the inning, scoring two runs to jump ahead 3-1. Julia Andrews and Croteau both scored on an error.
Statistical leaders
• Lewiston: Chloe Croteau (3 for 4, two runs), Harlee Gasser (seven innings pitched, 10 strikeouts, three hits), Haydin Hughes (1 for 3, RBI)
• Skowhegan: Harper Turner (1 for 3, RBI)
Heard it here first
• “I always tell them that us coaches, we can talk until we’re blue in the face, but they are the ones that need to go out and put everything we’ve talked about, everything they’ve worked on to use. And I’m just excited for them. I’m glad they’re meeting their goals.” — Lewiston coach Ryan Cormier
• “They showed a lot of character and a lot of fight every day, and today was no different. We come up a little bit short, but I’m proud of them. I’m proud of how hard they fought all year.” — Skowhegan coach Lee Johnson
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