It’s only fitting that the Scarborough and Saco Little League baseball teams will both be vying for the state championship in Machias.

In the 9-10 division two years ago, Scarborough edged Saco. Last year, Saco got payback in the 10-11 division, capturing the state championship over Scarborough.

Now, the squads from neighboring towns will travel more than 200 miles to see if they can continue their summer with a state title in the major division.

Ironically, Saco and Scarborough meet in the tournament opener at 3 p.m. Friday.

“The first year (these kids) faced each other in Westbrook, then (last year) in Bucksport. Now we will be in Machias,” said Scarborough Manager Chad Blanchette. “If we end up facing each other in the finals, it will be funny, because we’ll be four hours from home playing when the towns are 10 minutes from each other.”

Saco Manager Kirk Purvis looks forward to facing one of the strongest opponents right off the bat.

“It will be a good test for both teams,” he said. “We know them, they know us. Both teams are well supported by their communities. We look forward to seeing them up there.”

Also in the state tournament – which was won by South Portland last year – are Machias, Waldo County, Old Town and Lewiston. Scarborough last won the tournament in 2016; Saco, as Saco/Maremont, was the 2013 champion.

The winner will play in the Northeast Regional in Bristol, Connecticut.

Both Scarborough and Saco cruised in their district tournaments.

Saco posted a 5-0 record while outscoring its opponents 32-10 in District 4. Purvis said the team has good pitching depth but only had to use starters Mac Lowe, Jeremiah Chessie and Josh Ney and relievers Henry Lausier, Matt Kimball, Josh Penney in the district tournament.

Scarborough was also perfect in District 6, scoring 26 runs and yielding only five in its four games. Only three starting pitchers were called upon: Harrison Griffith, Ashton Blanchette and Blake Harris.

“(Our pitchers) know how to throw hard, but they throw off-speed pitches and mix it up to keep batters on their toes,” Purvis said. “They are confident that the defense behind them will make the play if the ball is put in play.”

Blanchette noted that all the teams will have to rely on many pitchers because of the compressed schedule.

“Once in states, all of the games are right there (in Machias) over six days, and there will be more managing pitchers and bringing the right guys in.”

While Saco and Scarborough each had some routs in their district tournaments, they also got timely hits.

In the District 6 championship game – a 4-1 win over Yarmouth – Scarborough’s Tyler Kenney smacked a solo homer in the third inning to break 1-1 tie. Then, Ashton Blanchette iced the game with a two-run double in the fifth.

Saco lost a four-run advantage against Biddeford before rallying for an 8-5 victory in the District 4 final. Ney, Kimball and Lausier each had two hits. Lausier finished with two homers in the tournament.

Blanchette and Purvis agree on a key factor in the success of their teams.

“Part of the main reason we do so well compared with other districts is a lot our players – and this goes for Saco – play extra ball year round. And, honestly, that’s what it comes down to,” Blanchette said.

“A lot of these kids play year round which is an enormous benefit to the team,” agreed Purvis. “They are also extremely talented kids who are willing to work and are good team players.”

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