The difference was a matter of inches.

What separated the softball teams from Telstar and Georges Valley last June was simply the width of the chalk foul line.

Hannah Morin’s game-winning single landed on the right-field foul line and helped the Rebels complete a two-run rally in the final inning that led to a 3-2 victory and the Western Class C title. An inch or two the other way, and Georges Valley might have held on for the regional title and ultimately claimed the state crown.

“It’s always fun to play each other,” Georges Valley coach Rusty Worcester said. “It’s always been a good competitive game. When we meet up, with quality players on both squads, it’s always a lot of fun.”

The time before that, it was a pinch-hit single and a thrilling play at the plate that cut down Telstar’s hopes for a tying run. That led to a narrow 2-1 Bucs victory and the MVC title.

“After awhile, the kids know that if you play well, you can walk away knowing that you played well and just got beat,” Telstar coach Jim Lunney said.

The rivalry between the Bucs and Rebels has grown and thrived in recent years. It’s an annual meeting come playoffs, both in the Mountain Valley Conference championship game and the Western C title game.  Georges Valley and Telstar own the last four regional crowns. Both have two each, and those wins came at the expense of the other.

“Rusty and I know each other quite well,” Lunney said. “We’re big fans of each other’s programs. We talk each year about how we’ll see each other next year. We’ve been here four years in a row and four out of the last five MVC games.”

Though the two powerhouses didn’t meet during the regular season, their courses collide today in the MVC championship game at 5 p.m. at  Hippach Field in Farmington. The two are favored to meet again in the Western C tourney. Telstar (14-1) enters as the top seed while Georges Valley (14-0) is ranked second.

Georges Valley won last year’s MVC game. Telstar won the previous two, as well as one in 2007. The Bucs tied Monmouth in 2008.

“It’s just a big huge respect thing,” Worcester said. “We know it’s going to be a good, fun well-played game. It’s just fun to play quality opponents. It makes you better all the way around, and it makes both teams better.”

What is special about this rivalry is that both teams have great talent and immense respect for each other. They’re accustomed to playing with huge stakes on every pitch. They both enjoy the challenge the other one brings.

“They’re a quality program,” Lunney said. “They’ve got a good coach. They’re very aggressive. They play good defense. They’re aggressive at the plate. They’re a measuring stick for anybody, and it’s a measuring stick for us. We want to play them, and we want to do well against them.”

What makes Monday’s game, and any potential rematch in the Western C tourney, special is that it will be one of the last meetings between to the two schools. Since Georges Valley is merging with Rockland next year, the Bucs will become part of Oceanside High School and no longer play in the MVC.

“It’s a sad time, but an exciting time,” said Worcester, who’ll coach the softball program at Oceanside. “Change is sometimes good and it’s fun to look forward to the future. I’ve been coaching 11 years in the Mountain Valley Conference. I said my goodbyes the other night at the coaches meeting. The Mountain Valley Conference will always be in my heart. It’s too bad — especially with the rivalry with Telstar. There’s always been some great teams in the Mountain Valley Conference. It’s been a lot of fun and a pleasure for myself and the girls to play in the conference.”

Worcester and Lunney go back a long way. They played recreational softball against each other years ago when Lunney played out of Augusta and Worcester was playing in the Mid Coast. They’ve become friends and rivals as their two squads have become the major obstacles for each other.

“We’ll talk and joke around before the start of the game, but when the game starts, it’s business as usual,” Lunney said. “We’re trying to throw goose eggs at them and trying to get some hits. Then after, we’ll mention, even Monday night, that, ‘We hope to see you again.'”

Both coaches are fiery and fun to watch. Both coach up their teams well and will have them ready for the much-anticipated showdown, whether it be Monday or in the regional final a week later.

“Rusty and I will kid, but it isn’t about him and me,” Lunney said. “It’s about the kids, and they have to go out there and play better that day than the other team.”

Telstar has had the Merrill sisters. Georges Valley has had the Frye sisters. Both even sent players on to Saint Joseph’s College, where rivals became teammates. Both programs are born out of developing young talent and interest in the community.

“They see the Gold Ball and the banners in the gym,” Worcester said. “They want to be part of it when they get to high school.”

Both programs have great winning traditions. Before losing to Dirigo this season, the Rebels hadn’t lost a regular season game since losing to Georges Valley a few years ago. The Bucs have won 61 straight regular season games.

“We’ve been really blessed,” Worcester said. “In 11 years we have a team record of 146-32. That’s really impressive. It takes a lot of girls. It’s not just rebuilding a lot of the time.”

Next season, Oceanside will have to find a new rival. Telstar will have to do the same in an MVC that will see major change. Before then, however, these two clubs still have a chapter or two to play out.

They’ll meet in the MVC game today and then see if they can earn another meeting in the Western C final with ultimate bragging rights at stake.

“You know you’ve got a quality team there,” Lunney said. “You know you’re not going to go in there and out-coach them. You’ve got to outplay them. That’s what we have to do, out play them.”

kmills@sunjournal.com