Deering’s John Bechard, left, Jackson Forrest and Avery Lawrence meet at the Hadlock Field mound during a May 28 game against Westbrook. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer Their paths and stories are different, but the Deering and Massabesic high school baseball teams shared similar positive vibes this Class A South season. The resurgent programs took great pride in their regular-season accomplishments.
No. 10 Deering (6-10), the only team to beat A South top seed Scarborough this spring, qualified for its first non-open tournament since 2018. In 2021, all baseball teams were eligible for the playoffs because of disparate “pod” schedules that were part of COVID-related regulations.
Deering, a once-dominant program, enjoyed a significant bounce-back season after a dreadful 2023. A year ago the Rams finished 0-16, were outscored 183-26, and were beaten by 10 or more runs 12 times. “We’ve made a big jump.
We’re not a joke anymore,” said senior first baseman Jackson Forrest. Deering travels to Wainwright Athletic Complex on Tuesday to take on No. 7 South Portland (10-6), the defending state champion, in a preliminary-round game.
While Deering can look back to a proud history, the No. 6 Mustangs (9-7) have never been a factor in Class A baseball. According to Coach Tom Crews, it is the Mustangs’ first winning record since 1989 – 35 years ago.
Massabesic will host No. 11 Noble in a Tuesday prelim. Crews figures it’s probably the program’s first home playoff game s.