As a reward for finishing first during the American Legion baseball Zone 4 regular season, Saco-Biddeford Savings Bank has homefield advantage for this week’s zone playoffs.

The Westbrook-based squad still has some work to do to make it to the state tournament. There’s the easy way – winning the Zone 4 tournament – and the hard way, surviving a runner-up playoff game Saturday. Only Zone 3 champ Gayton Post of Auburn, the defending state champion, isn’t worried about qualifying for state.

Saco-Biddeford Savings (15-3) opens the Zone 4 playoffs today against fourth-seeded Andrews Post (11-7) of Portland. First Title (13-4), composed of players from Cheverus High, earned the second seed and will play No. 3 Morrill Post (11-6) of South Portland.

Saco-Biddeford Savings Coach Greg Souza thinks his team is well-prepared for the playoffs.

“We have our pitching lined up, we didn’t have to play that last (makeup) game on Sunday, (and) we have a good lineup, so we will approach (the tournament) the way we do every other game,” Souza said.

The Westbrook squad cruised through the regular season despite the absence of Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram MVP Scott Heath, a top pitcher and hitter who had Tommy John surgery after the high school season.

“Not only is Scotty a huge leader, but he is a great hitter,” Souza said. “When you take that out of anybody’s roster, it’s a big loss.

“(But we) have a deeper staff now because our pitchers are prepared.”

The Zone 4 semifinal winners meet at 4:30 p.m. Thursday to decide the zone champion. Because it won the regular-season title, Saco-Biddeford Savings would be the zone runner-up if it doesn’t win Thursday. The Zone 4 runner-up will get a second chance to qualify for the state tournament on Saturday in Augusta against the Zone 5 runner-up.

First Title is trying to capitalize on Cheverus’ run to the Class A state championship last month.

“(The competition) is no different than high school,” said Mac McKew, who coaches both Cheverus and First Title. “We probably have the strongest team. I think the challenge is finishing first.

“The intensity or commitment level isn’t the same (as high school).”

The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach is hosting the Zone 5 playoffs today and Wednesday. Defending champion Fayette-Staples (16-2) of Saco is the top seed and squares off in the first game at 5 p.m. today against Kennebunk (10-8).

The second game will feature second-seeded Biddeford & Saco Savings/Biddeford Savings (14-4) against Ramsdell/Rogers Post (12-6) of York.

Fayette-Staples Coach Ray Petit knows that his team’s regular-season success won’t mean anything if it doesn’t play well this week.

“Anybody can beat anybody,” said Petit. “We have to show up and play. If you don’t show up, other teams compete very well and they can beat you.”

Staff Writer Austin Pollack can be contacted at: 791-6356 or at: apollack@pressherald.com