Sam Troiano led the South Portland offense in capturing a 6-4 win over visiting Marshwood in Thursday, June 9’s semifinals. 

The Riots added one in the first, four in the second and another in the third. The Hawks’ runs came later, but they couldn’t complete a comeback and ultimately folded.

“Sam is our offensive leader, and he was big again in this game,” said South Portland head coach Mike Owens. “Sam hit a two-RBI single in the four-run second inning. He then stole second, stole third and scored on a bad throw on the catcher trying to throw him out at third.”

Owens likewise praised Aaron Radziucz, the team’s DH. “Aaron also had a big game,” Owens said, “with two singles and a walk.”

“We knew Marshwood would compete,” said Owens. “They swing the bat really well and … threatened the entire game. They out-hit us and they had guys on every single inning. We did enough early to give us a cushion, but we certainly weren’t as sharp as we hoped to be.”

South Portland followed up the victory over Marshwood with another, two days later, over Scarborough, 8-5. The pair of Ws bumped the Riots, who entered the tournament ranked second, to 16-2. The team matched up with No. 1 Falmouth (18-0 after skunking Deering in the quarters and Portland in the semis) in the A South Regional Final at St. Joe’s on Tuesday, June 14, after the Current’s print deadline.

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South Portland’s Noah McHugh leads off first in the Riots’ 6-4 win over Marshwood.

South Portland’s Zack Johnson takes a cut at an incoming pitch.

Riot Nick Troiano leans away from a high ball.

South Portland ace Griffin Kelley fires a pitch toward the plate.

Sam Troiano bounces off first, eyeballing second hungrily.