Biddeford Tigers will face Mt. Ararat Eagles for Class A state championship

In just a few hours, fourteen young men from Biddeford will create a memory that they will likely never forget.

Tomorrow, the Biddeford High School Tigers (15-4) will face the Mount Ararat Eagles (17-3) in the Class A Maine State Championship baseball game.

The game begins at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Joseph’s College in Standish.

BHS Coach Keith LeBlanc says that his team, which includes seven seniors, is “battle-tested” and ready to play their hearts out on Saturday.

“I am very proud of these players,” LeBlanc said during a brief interview on Thursday.

LeBlanc took over as the Tigers’ head coach in 2012. He has seen a lot of games, but says his current team really stands out – both in performance and attitude.

Saturday’s game will be LeBlanc’s first state championship match-up. He says he and his players are taking nothing for granted.

“These players have faced many high-pressure situations,” LeBlanc said. “I am confident in them, but we’re not easing up even an inch before this game.”

LeBlanc said the Eagles (the No. 1 seed team in the north) will likely offer a formidable challenge to the Tigers.

“They [the Eagles] are very similar to us,” LeBlanc said. “They have strong pitching and an overall solid defense.”

Speaking of defense, LeBlanc says sophomore Ernie Dore will lead off the mound for the Tigers. Dore is a second-team, all-conference pitcher.

LeBlanc is also expecting strong performances from the team’s co-captains, Gavin Haggett and Landon Sirois, both first-team, all-conference players.

Haggett will be attending Stonehill College in the fall, and Sirois will be attending Southern Maine Community College.

LeBlanc said he considers himself lucky to be this team’s coach.

“Every team is a good team,” he said. “But there is something special about these players. It’s their humility and willingness to push themselves.”

According to LeBlanc, the players have created their own motto: “Stay humble.”

Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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