The Poland softball team will get tested early with two key matchups this week.

The Knights play at Fryeburg Monday and then host Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday. The Raiders were in the regional final two years ago and lost to Greely last year in the semifinals. The Patriots reached the regional final last spring and lost to the Rangers in the championship game. Both teams return experienced teams and are considered contenders in Western B.

“It’s going to be a big next couple of weeks for us,” said Poland coach Kat McKay. “Seeing Fryeburg right off the bat, I’m glad we’re seeing them early. We’re going to come into it with the mentality of ‘Let’s do our thing, let’s play Poland Knights ball and whatever happens at the end of the game, as long as we know we played our best, that’s how it’s going to come out.’”

Poland has already started the year 2-0 with wins over Kennebunk and Sacopee Valley. The Knights have played well in the two victories, and McKay is pleased with what she’s seen.

“I’m excited about the season,” McKay said. “It’s the same group of girls. We graduated six seniors, but we have some girls stepping into roles. They’re buying into what’s going on here. I’m excited about the rest of the season.”

Despite losing six seniors, the Knights have an experienced club. Shorstop Lindsay Theriault is the lone senior, but returning juniors include pitcher Kyle Martin, pitcher Kolby Woods, catcher Kelsey DeBurra, outfielder Haley Whitworth, second baseman Michaella Arsenault and outfielder Emily Gibson.

The Knights went 9-6 last year and lost in the Western B quarterfinals to Cape Elizabeth. With much of that team back, Poland is hoping to make a longer playoff run.

“You want to do better than you did last year,” McKay said. “We’re going to take it game by game, just like we do every year. We want to come into every game ready to go. We’re not going to have any big expectations, but we know people are looking as us a little more this year. We’re going in every game with the mentality that we’re going to beat this team, win this game, or try to, and go to the next one.”

Something brewing with Mt. Blue

The Mt. Blue softball team earned its first win of the season in thrilling fashion Friday.

The Cougars beat traditionally strong Brewer on the road with a 5-4 win in nine innings. Brewer finished 15-1 last year, while Mt. Blue was 1-15.

Mandi Currier doubled in Caitlin Kane with the game-winner with two outs in the  the ninth to finish off the comeback. Mt. Blue (1-1) won only one game last season but returns most of last year’s team.

Mt. Blue was actually the home team Friday. The Cougars’ home field wasn’t game-ready.

Brewer took a 4-2 lead with two runs in the top of the ninth. Kane tied the game with a two-run single in the bottom of the inning with two outs.

Mt. Blue pitcher Hailey Farrington held Brewer (0-1) to just nine hits and struck out 12.

Eddies, Devils look sharp

The track and field season is off to a cold but productive start for Lewiston and Edward Little.

EL swept a home meet and also had a superb showing at the Waterville Invitational, with the boys finishing second and the girls third behind the perennial Class B power Purple Panthers.

Winning individual titles for the Eddies in the Auburn event were Hunter Martin (100 and 200 meters), Spencer Dunn (race walk), Cole Butler (javelin), Bradley Morissette (long jump) and Brandon Binette (pole vault) on the boys’ side. Anna Beaudet swept the girls’ 100, long jump and triple jump, with Victoria Beliveau leading the racewalk and Kailey Norcross the 300 hurdles.

Led by its runners, Lewiston pushed the Waterville boys before dropping a narrow 129-115 in a meet at Don Roux Field. Isaiah Harris won the 200, 400 and 800 as well as leading the victorious 4×400 relay. Hassan Mohamed (100) and Osman Doorow (1,600) were also winners, with Heather Kendall (200) and Faith Shaw (8oo) setting the fastest times in the girls’ meet.