Messalonskee softball coach Leo Bouchard made a promise, and his players were doubtful he would actually go through with it. But the Eagles lived up to their end of the bargain, so Bouchard lived up to his.

Bouchard told his players he would shave his goatee -- the one he's had for "over 20-some odd years" -- if they finished .500 or better in the regular season. A 4-3 win over Morse on Tuesday gave Messalonskee a final record of 8-8.

"The game was over and we went out to center field," Bouchard said. "I didn't see the bucket of ice water coming up behind me. That felt real good. We got done talking and then the pink razors came out and the strawberry shaving cream and the girly mirrors.

"They screamed and hollered and we took before pictures and after pictures. They were jumping up and down."

Bouchard says he gets double takes in the hallways at school, but there is a nice benefit from the shave.

"I've had a lot of positives from it," Bouchard said. "Everybody says I look younger."