It’s been almost two months since the Messalonskee and Lewiston high school baseball teams played their one regular-season game. Lewiston won that game, 9-2.

The rematch will be today in the Eastern Class A championship game, and nobody involved in the first meeting expects another rout.

“Messalonskee attacks the bases and you have to be ready for that,” Lewiston coach Todd Cifelli said. “They are a lot better team and a much different team from what we played in the past.”

Added Messalonskee coach Ray Bernier: “I think we’re a little bit better than we were when we first saw them, but I guarantee they’re a lot better.”

No. 4 Messalonskee (13-5) takes on No. 2 Lewiston (15-3) at 5 p.m. today at Morton Field in Augusta. The winner plays in the Class A state championship game at noon Saturday at St. Joseph’s College in Standish.

“It’s going to be a challenge going into their backyard. They’ll have a lot of fans in Augusta. It should be a great game,” Cifelli said.

Messalonskee’s biggest improvements, Bernier said, have been defensively and at the plate. The infield of Taylor Clark at first base, Jake Dexter at second, Sam Dexter at shortstop and Travis St. Pierre at third gets to a lot of balls, and rarely makes an error.

“They’re well-coached. They have some good players. They’re going to put the ball in play. We’ve just got to make sure we come to play,” Sam Dexter said.

Messalonskee carries an eight-game win streak into today’s game. Three of those wins were by one run, two in extra innings.

“We’re a scrappy bunch, a lot of competitive guys who just want to win. Everyone’s bought into winning. No stats, nothing. Just win-loss right now,” Sam Dexter said.

Lewiston has won 11 games in a row, and five of those were shutouts. Messalonskee will likely face senior lefty Corbin Hyde, who threw a no hitter against Erskine in the regular season.

Junior Reid Nutter (5-2, 2.90) will start for the Eagles. On Wednesday, Nutter gave up one hit with six walks and three strikeouts in a 10-0 win over Oxford Hills.

“He’s the one that’s the most experienced. He likes those big games,” Bernier said of Nutter.

Freshmen Jake Dexter (18 runs) and Trevor Gettig (11 runs) are at the top of the Messalonskee lineup, with Sam Dexter and St. Pierre following. Sam Dexter has a .500 average, with two home runs, 16 runs batted in and a team-high 21 runs scored, while St. Pierre (.411, 18 RBIs) is taking advantage of the opportunity to drive in runs.

“(Sam) Dexter is one of the best hitters in the state. He’s fun to watch, unless you are playing them,” Cifelli said.

Lewiston’s offense is paced by Hyde and Luke Cote.

Staff writer Bill Stewart contributed to this story.

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

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