Sam Luebbert of Deering has been waiting four seasons to pitch in a playoff game. On Tuesday, he got his chance.

Luebbert, a senior right-hander, pitched a five-hitter with seven strikeouts and his teammates pounded out 17 hits as No. 9 Deering beat No. 8 Cheverus 12-2 in a Western Maine Class A baseball preliminary-round game at Cheverus’ Kevin McDonald Memorial Field.

June 9: Kevin Goldberg of Deering dives back to first on a pickoff attempt as Jared Brooks of Cheverus waits for the throw in Tuesday’s Western Class A baseball prelim. Deering won, 12-2. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

June 9: Sam Luebbert of Deering pitched a five-hitter with seven strikeouts in leading the Rams to their first playoff win since 2010.

Deering (11-6) will play top-ranked Portland (12-4) in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m. Thursday at Hadlock Field.

Deering was last in a playoff game in 2011 and last won one in 2010.

“I was nervous, but excited,” said Luebbert of pitching in his first playoff game. “This is a dream come true. It means everything.”

Luebbert mixed his pitches well, but had a quick answer when asked what was working for him.

“My curve,” he said.

Luebbert’s sweeping curve had the Stags baffled for the most part. It was dropping over the plate for called strikes time and time again.

“My fastball was working too. I knew I had to mix things up because Cheverus is a good hitting club,” said Luebbert. “I was able to get ahead of the hitters and our defense was outstanding.”

Deering showed its hitting ability as well.

“We finished second in the SMAA in hitting,” said Deering Coach Josh Stowell, who was a Cheverus assistant coach before returning to his alma mater this year.

Stowell said Luebbert has the right temperament to pitch in big games.

“He doesn’t let things bother him. He pitched himself out of a few jams,” said Stowell.

Deering’s defense turned three double plays, including one that ended the game.

“The boys really came to play,” said Stowell. “The seniors have provided great leadership.”

Entering the game, the teams were headed in different directions.

Cheverus (9-8) had dropped its last four regular-season games and Deering tuned up for the playoffs by beating Windham, the defending regional champion, 4-1 in its regular-season finale.

Deering got off to a quick start as its first two batters, Kevin Goldberg and Nick Bevilacqua, reached on infield hits. After Cheverus pitcher Alex Jacobs got a strikeout, Pat Viola drove in the first run with a single to right. The second run came across on a fielder’s choice.

Viola also had a two-run single in the sixth that made it 9-2. He finished 4 for 5 with four RBI.

Bevilacqua had a two-run single in the fourth and finished with three hits.

Dom Bernard had a two-run single in the seventh. Bernard and Spencer Todd had doubles for the game’s only extra-base hits.

Deering scored four runs in the fourth with the first two runs coming on pitches hitting batters.

The Stags also had chances.

They got their first two runners on in the first, but didn’t score. Cheverus loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth. The Rams then turned a double play with a run scoring. After a Cheverus batter reached because of catcher’s interference, Luebbert struck out the next batter to end the inning.

Deering also ended the fifth inning with a 4-6-3 double play after a run had scored.

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