Here’s the important things to know about the Maine softball finals

 Dirigo center fielder Madisyn Bradeen, right, celebrates as right fielder Abby MacFarlane catches the ball for the final out of the Cougars' 3-2 win over Monmouth in the Class C South championship game on Tuesday in Gorham. Dirigo will play Bucksport in Saturday's state championship game. (Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer) [ **Our Communities. Our Teams. Our Future. **We’re proud to make high school sports coverage free for everyone, because these moments matter. At Maine State Credit Union, we’re here for the people and places that make Maine strong. Let’s go! Learn more at **[mainestatecu.org](http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=7274124606&iu=/6119)**.  _The Maine high school spring sports season reaches its conclusion with two days of excitement, as 14 state champions will be crowned Friday and Saturday. Some teams are hoping to win their first state title, while others are trying to repeat, and a few are seeking revenge after losing to the same foes in last year’s state finals._ _We asked Varsity Maine reporters for something important to know about each state championship game matchup._ _Here’s what they had to say about Saturday’s softball finals._ ### Class A: Cheverus (19-0) vs. Hampden Academy (13-6) Can Hampden Academy’s Cat Facchini quiet the Cheverus lineup? With Addison DeRoche pitching, there’s no path to beating Cheverus with multiple runs allowed. The Broncos’ best hope is eking out a 1-0 or maybe a 2-1 win, which would require Facchini to shut down DeRoche, Hailey Lamontagne, Cameron Gagnon and the rest of a Stags offense that boasts nine good hitters. Facchini pitched a three-hit shutout in the [regional final against Lewiston](https://www.sunjournal.com/2026/06/16/hampden-softball-defeats-lewiston-to-win-first-regional-title/), and she’ll need an encore Saturday. ### Class B: Medomak Valley (18-1) vs. Gardiner (16-3) Will this game be another scoring fiesta between Gardiner and Medomak Valley? The Tigers edged the Panthers 17-16 in their lone matchup on May 18, but that game accounts for 17 of the 29 runs Medomak Valley has allowed this season. Offense has been the calling card for Gardiner. Meanwhile, the defending champion Panthers and ace pitcher Sidney Nicholls have 14 shutouts and have yet to allow a run in the postseason. [](https://www.centralmaine.com/2026/06/18/the-maine-baseball-finals-are-saturday-heres-something-to-know-about-each-game/) Related [The Maine baseball finals are Saturday. Here’s something to know about each game](https://www.centralmaine.com/2026/06/18/the-maine-baseball-finals-are-saturday-heres-something-to-know-about-each-game/) ### Class C: Dirigo (18-1) vs. Bucksport (18-1) Some Dirigo players who graduated last year are expected to be on hand Saturday to witness what they hope will be the culmination of several seasons of incremental improvement by the program. While the [Cougars are seeking their first state title](https://www.sunjournal.com/2026/06/18/dirigo-softball-has-belief-in-itself-heading-into-class-c-final/), in their second appearance in a final, Bucksport is playing in its fourth straight final and trying to win its second straight championship, and 10th overall. ### Class D: North Yarmouth Academy (17-1) vs. Penobscot Valley (17-0) This is a showdown between two teams with championship pedigrees and dominant pitchers. Penobscot Valley, led by [Miss Maine Softball finalist](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/06/13/thirteen-finalists-chosen-for-miss-maine-softball/) Lauren Veino (27 Ks, 12 BBs in the D North tournament), is seeking its first title since 2019. But with three straight finals appearances, and a few players going for a school-year title sweep (soccer, basketball, softball), the Howlers have plenty of big-game experience. NYA, meanwhile, is looking for its third state title in four years. With sophomore Lily Fortin (36 Ks, 8 BBs in D South tournament) in the circle, the Panthers have posted nine shutouts, and the offense has been so prolific that she’s rarely needed to pitch the full seven innings.  Copy the Story Link Tagged: [bucksport golden bucks](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/bucksport-golden-bucks/), [cheverus stags](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/cheverus-stags/), [dirigo cougars](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/dirigo-cougars/), [Gardiner Tigers](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/gardiner-tigers/), [hampden broncos](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/hampden-broncos/), [medomak valley panthers](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/medomak-valley-panthers/), [nya panthers](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/nya-panthers/), [penobscot valley howlers](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/penobscot-valley-howlers/) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/drew-bonifant) [Drew BonifantStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/drew-bonifant) Drew Bonifant covers sports for the Press Herald, with beats in high school football, basketball and baseball. He was previously part of the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel sports team. A New Hampshire. [More by Drew Bonifant](https://www.pressherald.com/author/drew-bonifant) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/dave-dyer) [Dave DyerStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/dave-dyer) Dave Dyer is in his second stint with the Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel. Dave was previously with the company from 2012-2015 and returned in late 2016. He spent most of 2016 doing freelance sports. [More by Dave Dyer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/dave-dyer) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/jimmy-james) [Jimmy JamesStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/jimmy-james) Jimmy covers sports for the Sun Journal, primarily contributing to the Varsity Maine team. He is from Hagerstown, Maryland, and graduated from the University of Richmond in May of 2025 with a B.A. in journalism. [More by Jimmy James](https://www.pressherald.com/author/jimmy-james) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/cooper-sullivan) [Cooper SullivanStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/cooper-sullivan) Cooper Sullivan covers high school and collegiate sports in Brunswick and the surrounding communities. He is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he studied at Wake Forest University ('24) and held. [More by Cooper Sullivan](https://www.pressherald.com/author/cooper-sullivan)