Local players to watch: Buckfield — Owen Bennett (Sr. 3B/P); Jared Eastman (Jr. C), Keenan Stockdale (Sr. P/OF), Tyler Vallee (Jr.  3B/SS/P), Jonah Williams (Sr. P/OF).

Favorites: Richmond (12-1) pounded the opposition into submission this season, averaging more than 11 runs per game and reaching double digits in all but four of its games. The Bobcats’ only loss came against Sacopee Valley, which went undefeated in Class C. Two-time defending champion Buckfield (9-4) went 0-2 against Richmond, but the second was a 3-2 defeat the Bucks led late. That was with senior southpaw Jonah Williams pitching, and the Bucks believe they can beat anyone with their tournament-tested ace.

Dark horses: Searsport (10-6) is a wild card having played an Eastern Maine schedule. The Vikings handed two-time defending state champion Bangor Christian its only loss this season. Wiscasset (7-9) moved down from Class C this year, and the Wolverines believe the competition they meet in the playoffs won’t exceed what they faced, and sometimes beat, in the Class C-dominated MVC. The Wolverines finished the season with just nine players, so they will have to be rested, healthy and on top of their game to make it through the tournament grind.

Prediction: Wiscasset.