PORTLAND – They grew up on the same street in Yarmouth. They played Little League baseball together and all kinds of other sports in their backyards. And when it came time to choose a high school, Louie DiStasio, Nick Melville and Harry Ridge headed to Cheverus, where they continued their baseball success.

As another high school baseball season begins, the defending Class A state champion Stags will be led by their three senior tri-captains.

DiStasio pitches and plays shortstop. Ridge pitches and plays first base, and Melville plays second. DiStasio and Ridge were Cumberland County All-Telegram League selections at pitcher last season. DiStasio was a Maine Sunday Telegram All-State selection at utility.

“We’ve been playing together since we were 5 or 6,” said Melville. “I’ve never flipped the ball to anyone other than Louie at second base.”

“We played everything together,” said DiStasio. “Nick and I lived on West Elm Street. Harry lived on East Elm Street.”

Melville moved with his family to Portland before his eighth-grade year. He considered attending Deering or Cheverus for high school, but the choice became easy when he learned where his friends would be going.

“I wanted to play with them again,” he said.

Many times this season, they will be positioned at first, second and shortstop.

They’ll also hit 1-2-3 in the lineup, DiStasio leading off like last year, Ridge batting second and Melville third.

“All three are major parts of our team,” said Coach Mac McKew. “They were big parts last year.

“If you look at what they did, they were the heart and soul of our state championship season. They’re all solid kids who will help provide senior leadership.”

Not even counting last season, the three have enjoyed much success in baseball.

They played on the 2006 Yarmouth Little League team that won the state championship and went on to play in the New England regionals.

“We won state Little League titles as 9- and 10-year-olds, and 11- and 12-year olds,” said DiStasio. “I think we lost only three games in our entire Little League careers.”

The winning ways continued in high school.

Last season was Cheverus’ first state baseball championship in the 41 years of state playoffs.

“It was big for our program.” said Melville. “Cheverus football and basketball are well-known. Winning a state title gave the baseball program a name.”

The Stags will be targeted this season by the rest of the Telegram League.

“We feel the pressure,” said Ridge, “but that puts us in a good spot to work hard.”

Both DiStasio and Ridge said they have added velocity to their pitches. They’re both stronger from a year ago. Melville looks to get off to a fast start offensively.

“Nick has struggled during the high school season, but I know he has the ability because during the summer in Legion ball, he hit .500,” said McKew.

The longtime teammates are hoping for one more title run before they head their separate ways following graduation.

DiStasio, also a football and basketball standout, will play at the University of Rhode Island on a baseball scholarship. Baseball always has been DiStasio’s favorite sport.

The same goes with Ridge, also a hockey standout. He’ll head to Bowdoin College, where he plans on continuing his baseball career.

A soccer standout, Melville will attend Bridgton Academy, where he plans on playing soccer and baseball. He then plans to concentrate on one of those sports in college.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:

tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH