In the world of sports, the word “LEGACY” is what many athletes focus on once a career is completed.

At Richmond and Lisbon high schools, a solid group of seniors woke up Sunday, possibly thinking in some way that their legacies were tarnished after state final losses.

I’m here to say that this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Let’s start with the Bobcats. Seniors Camryn Hurley, Meranda Martin, Mackenzie Abbott, Cassidy Harriman, Kaylee Williams, Emily Douin and Jenn Snedeker led the smiles when they received the runners-up plaque after a 4-0 State Class D softball final loss to Penobscot Valley at St. Joseph’s College.

Classy? You better believe it!

The loss to us fans was stunning — Richmond no-hit and felled by a three-run home run from Howlers freshman pitcher Leine McKechnie to cap a four-run seventh inning uprising and end an amazing 88-game winning streak. It was the result that many probably didn’t see coming, even though Penobscot Valley entered the game with a 19-0 mark, looking for respect.

So what is Richmond’s LEGACY during these past four years for these outgoing seniors?

The record speaks for itself, 71-1, three straight State Class D championships and a refuse to lose attitude that carried them along during this streak. There were close games — a 4-3 walkoff win over Sacopee Valley last season, and a two-run, seventh-inning rally over Traip Academy earlier this year that resulted in a 2-1 win.

“I wish I could tell you all the stuff that I have learned from them,” said Richmond junior Sydney Underhill-Tilton. “They always lift you up. Meranda has always done that for me. I can only hope that continues in the future from me when the times get tough.”

To feel good after a win is easy. Ask any athlete. The true measure and class of an individual and team is when you lose, when you suffer a defeat that is crushing. How did you come through it? Did you sulk, blame others, or did you rise up, hug the players from the other team that did the deed and show all those around you that a loss is not the end of the world?

“Yeah, we lost 4-0 today, but all these girls kept their heads high,” said Richmond coach Tony Martin. “All year, I have preached to these girls to go out and have fun every game. That is what it’s all about. That is what they have done.”

“It was a great run and I am super proud of these girls and everything that we have done,” said Hurley. “I had fun, win or lose, and that is what I look back on. It would have been cool to say that I never lost a game, but it is still cool to say that I only lost one game in my softball career at Richmond.”

When Richmond lined up to receive the runners-up plaque on Saturday, there were no tears. Surprised? I was. But then I looked at those senior leaders that have meant so much to a town, posing for a photo, with two fingers up to signify taking second place in Class D, every player with huge smiles on their faces. The Bobcats then turned around, clapped for each Howler player and applauded when Penobscot Valley took its victory lap with the winner’s trophy.

“Most athletes don’t look back, realizing that they won 88 straight games with a team,” said Meranda Martin. “I will always look back on these great memories. It was great!”

“They are going to be missed,” Coach Martin said. “My daughter Meranda is part of that group, and these kids are at the house, around each other in basketball, soccer, softball, and will just be a group that I will miss.”

Lisbon

The Greyhounds had it going on Saturday at Mansfield Stadium in Bangor, leading Orono 3-0 in the State Class C baseball championship and seemingly on their way to a state title, the first baseball championship in Lisbon since 1979.

Then the rug was pulled out from under the ’Hounds. The Red Riots rallied, scoring four runs in the seventh to walk off with a 4-3 victory and the title.

It was a crushing loss for Lisbon, its fans who made the two-hour trek up north, and a Lisbon community that supports Greyhound athletics day-in and day-out.

Face facts here, there is no team in the state of Maine over the last year that has suffered from unbelievable, shocking defeats than the Greyhounds.

Go back to the football title game at Portland back in November. Lisbon led Maine Central Institute throughout in a hard-hitting affair, looking for the title in longtime coach Dick Mynahan’s final game on his team’s sideline.

MCI battled back, and in a 14-14 game with seconds remaining, lined up for a potential winning field goal. The snap was bobbled, but an MCI runner picked up the ball, sprinted right and scored a touchdown for a 20-14 victory over the stunned Greyhounds.

Senior Tyler Halls was the quarterback that day for Lisbon, and on Saturday he had the Greyhounds on the cusp of a baseball title, carrying a one-hitter into the seventh frame.

But, as coach Randy Ridley said, “sometimes it’s just not meant to be.”

In an instant, Orono was within a run. Then came an injury at the plate that left Lisbon players to ponder about what might come next. A ground ball tied the game, then a walkoff single left the Greyhounds stunned as the Red Riots celebrated the win.

Now back to that word, “LEGACY.” It is easy to pin the Wide World of Sports words of “Agony of Defeat” on the ’Hounds.

But, I maintain there that there is a lot more to this story. In a town where high school sports matter, these Lisbon athletes will be remembered for giving its fans some of the best memories that a community can have. Halls himself, according to Ridley, deserves a ton of credit, a young man that gave his heart and soul to his team, community and coach.

“ He pitched phenomenal. They hit the ball at the end,” said Ridley, who went back to the guts of his squad during a season that produced a 15- 5 record, remembering players like Ryley Austin, Noah Francis, Nick Lerette, Nate Havlicek and others. “We’ve played five or six one-run games this year. Or we’ve had to go 12 innings one game, nine innings another, eight innings another to get wins. This team is a seasoned, veteran group and they know how to win games. But (I’m losing) a great bunch of seniors, and I just wish we could have gotten this one thing for them this one last time in their career.”

These Lisbon seniors, athletes who had success throughout their youth, middle school and high school careers, should be remembered for their 53 high school baseball wins, 30-10 record on the gridiron including a state final appearance and two regional finals runs, and for those successes on the mat, on the track and on the court.

More importantly, the Greyhounds will be remembered for their class. Whether winning or losing, firm handshakes, hugs for the opponent and pats on the back are what always follow a Lisbon sporting event, players who are taught the right way from day one when playing sports in this town — leaving a great “LEGACY” in their wake.

BOB CONN is The Times Record sports editor. He can be reached at bconn@timesrecord.com. RANDY WHITEHOUSE of the Sun Journal contributed to the story.