Hours after it helped preserve Biddeford’s first state championship in 41 years, Tigers junior outfielder Payton Blais’ diving catch went national

With Biddeford leading 7-6 and one out in the top of the seventh, Mt. Ararat’s Jesse Bowker hit a line drive to deep left field that Blais ran down and then dove to catch for the second out. Tigers pitcher Ernie Dore retired the next batter to secure the Class A championship.

“I wasn’t sure I had it but I kept pursuing it. Once I heard Dom (Smith, the center fielder) wasn’t saying anything, I called it,” Blais told the Portland Press Herald after the game. “I knew it was right in the web and I was like, ‘Perfect, I have it.’”

Later Saturday, Blais’ catch was ranked No. 5 on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays of the day. Watch the catch at the 1:26 mark:

The ESPN anchors didn’t quite get the pronunciation of Biddeford right, but they nailed the magnitude of the moment: “That was the second-to-last out of the game, too …” one of them said, “that’s a legendary play for that young man.”

In April 2024, Greely third baseman Marky Axelson made SportsCenter’s No. 3 play when he dove to catch a bunt in foul territory then threw to first base for a double play against Edward Little.

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