In Somerset County, many softball fans are hoping that two victory parades march north up Route 201 on Saturday night.
At 12:30 on Saturday afternoon, Madison will play Bucksport in the Class C state championship game at St. Joseph’s College in Standish. A few hours later, at 4 p.m., Skowhegan will take the field at St. Joe’s in the Class A state game against Biddeford. Fans from the neighboring towns are ready to support each other.
“It should be an exciting day. From a fan’s standpoint, I think you’ll see a lot of carry over, our fans staying and their people coming before us,” Madison coach Chris LeBlanc said.
“Some of them are kids we’ve grown up with and are friends with,” Madison senior Kayla Bess added.
The double championship played out perfectly just two years ago, when Skowhegan and Madison each brought home state softball titles. Madison beat Calais 1-0 while Skowhegan capped the Somerset County double with a 7-3 win over Thornton Academy. Skowhegan sophomore outfielder Ashley Alward was an eighth-grader that day and remembers the joy she felt watching both teams win.
“I’m very pumped for hopefully a repeat of a couple years ago,” Alward said.
Neil and Lisa LeBlanc of Madison have a granddaughter on each team — Alward and Madison catcher Aly LeBlanc, coach Chris LeBlanc’s daughter. Alward said she and Aly have texted back and forth throughout the season. Aly, a senior, has offered her younger cousin advice on what’s worked for the 19-0 Bulldogs to maintain their successful run.
“You always have to try your hardest and make sure you’re being part of the team. Doing what you need to do. Just be confident in what you do,” Alward said when asked what her cousin has offered up for advice and encouragement. “I’m trying to put it into what I do here.”
After a slow start to the season, Skowhegan started to roll around midseason. The Indians are 9-2 over their last 11 games. While each team is focused on its own goals, players have also kept tabs on their neighbors.
“My aunt and uncle keep us informed on how they’re doing,” Aly LeBlanc said.
“They’re obviously a powerhouse team. They’re all great hitters. They’re all great girls. I’m focusing more on my team, but I’m following them, too,” Skowhegan freshman catcher Sydney Reed said. “I talked to a couple of them. They’ve been very supportive. We’ve had our ups and downs. They’ve kind of been riding the high road the whole time.”
Reed’s mother, Dorothy Reed, has taught at Madison Elementary for more than 15 years.
“She knows just as many on that team as she knows on this team,” Sydney Reed said.
Cindy Worthen, the mother of Skowhegan sophomore first baseman Annie Worthen, teaches at Madison Area Memorial High School. She’s told her daughter about the bond the Bulldogs share. Annie Worthen said she’s friends with many Madison players.
“I support them and they support us. We have good luck messages before our games. We’re definitely supporting each other,” she said.
Players from both teams have played side by side in softball and basketball, but not recently. Coach LeBlanc said he hopes to schedule a preseason exhibition game with Skowhegan next season. This spring, the Bulldogs went to Florida and couldn’t work in a game against Skowhegan. Any rivalry the towns have will be pushed aside Saturday, as fans from both towns cheer for each other.
“We’re rooting for them, except when we’re playing against them. Not that it happens very often,” coach LeBlanc said. “Last time (2014), it was nice. We all got together and took a picture. It was nice for both communities. If we’re not in it, we’re going to support them and vice versa.”
Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242
<URL destination=””>tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com
</URL>Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM
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