The Boothbay 36ers completed their regular season schedule July 16 with a 9-6 loss to the first-place Franklin Flyers at Sherman Field. The 36ers finished with a 5-8-1 record in American Legion play and now wait to learn about their post-season eligibility. Boothbay currently holds the final Maine Southern Zone playoff spot, but a Dirigo Sturgeon victory later this week over Messalonskee could result in a one-game playoff. “We hold that final spot, but a Dirigo win could force a play-in. It’s a bit confusing, but we are waiting to find out,” said 36ers’ Manager Adam Harkins.

The Southern Zone playoffs are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 18 at Thomas College. If a play-in is necessary, Harkins isn’t sure when the game would be played or if it would delay the tournament. One thing Harkins knows for certain is the team has improved immensely from the inaugural season. In 2023, the 36ers finished 3-11. “We’ve been more competitive this season. We have pitching depth and our hitting has improved throughout the season. It’s been a lot of fun to watch,” he said.

Harkins juggled the lineup six games ago which has resulted in more runs. He pointed toward Aiden Sanborn’s improved hitting as a significant factor. “He began the season hitting in the 200s. Now, he is hitting over 300,” Harkins said. Another change was moving Dom Frisone around the lineup. “We lengthened our lineup by putting Dom ninth. He is batting 330 now, just as he has all season, but the change really made a difference in our scoring,” Harkins said. 

In the 36ers’ final home game, pitching and errors played a pivotal role in their loss to the Southern Zone’s top team. Franklin County scored nine runs, seven earned, on 10 hits and was aided by three 36er errors. Franklin led 7-2 after three innings. Boothbay outscored them 4-2 over the final four innings. “This is a team that can hit, but we stuck with them,” Harkins said. 

Bryson Mattox pitched five innings, allowing 10 hits, seven earned runs, walked three and struck out three. Sanborn pitched two innings, allowing one unearned run. On offense, Gryffin Kristan went two-for-four with two runs batted in. Finn Harkins went one-for-three and scored twice. Brady Brann had a hit and one RBI. Jacob Watkinson had a hit, walked twice, one RBI and scored once. Other 36ers with hits were Sam Markowitz and Shawn Gamage.

On July 15, the 36ers trailed 4-1 after the first inning. But a strong pitching performance by Finn Harkins resulted in a come-from-behind victory, 10-6. Harkins pitched seven innings, allowed one earned run, struck out three and walked none. On offense, he went two-for-four with two RBI and scored one run. Sanborn continued his hot hitting. He went three-for-three which included a double, two singles and two RBI. Taygen MacAllister singled, walked three times and scored twice. 

Sam Markowitz singled and had one RBI. Liam Jacobs singled. Shawn Gamage doubled. Frisone singled and had two RBI.