Skowhegan’s Shelby Obert and Gardiner’s Taylor Banister are among five candidates for the Miss Maine Softball award, the Maine Softball Coaches Association announced Wednesday.

Obert, who plays third base, batted .508 for the Indians this season with 23 RBIs and four home runs.
“She does everything well,” Skowhegan coach Lee Johnson said. “She’s probably the best baserunner you’ll see in high school softball.”

Banister batted .492 during the regular season and also plays third base where she only  committed one error.

“She’s a very good leader on and off the field,” Gardiner coach Ginger Snow. “She’s tough both offensively and defensively.”

Both players are playing in tonight’s regional champioinship games, Skowhegan against Bangor in Eastern Maine Class A and Gardiner vs. Oceanside in Eastern Maine Class B. Obert plans to attend the University of Maine next fall while Banister will attend Thomas College.

Also nominated were Bucksport’s Cassidy Adams, South Portland’s Danica Gleason and Sanford’s Samantha Adams. The winner will be announced next Thursday between Senior All-Star games at Cony High School. The C/D game will be played at 4 p.m. while the A/B game begins at 7.

Other all-star games on tap include the freshman/sophomore game at 2:30 p.m. June 19 at St. Joseph’s College in Standish followed by the junior game at 5:30. On June 24, St. Joe’s will host the Maine vs. New Hampshire senior all-star games at 5 and 7 p.m.