04/11/2008
There are a few changes in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A division this season. Gardiner, Erskine and Old Town dropped to Class B, and Mt. Blue moved from the South to North Division. One thing that didn't change, two-time defending regional champion Bangor is still considered the team to beat in Eastern Maine.
"With their enrollment, they should be good in everything they play," Lawrence baseball coach Wally Covell said of Bangor. "From tiddlywinks to baseball."
A majority of the central Maine teams are playoff contenders. Many return strong pitchers and veteran position players.
"Everyone's got one ace," Skowhegan coach Rick York said. "I'm looking forward to (the season)."
Covell returns one of the more experienced teams in the league. The Bulldogs lost just one starter to graduation and have eight seniors on the roster. Three pitchers who saw a lot of innings last season, John Flynn and lefties Nick Nelson and Nick Lee, all return to the Lawrence rotation. Sophomore Chris DeRaps and freshman Shawn Russell, another southpaw, could contribute on the mound as well.
"The pitching has been looking good. Obviously, a year of maturity helps," Covell said.
Flynn hit over .400 last season and leads the offense, along with designated hitter/first baseman Brian Manzo, third baseman Brock Lawrence and catcher Jack Hersom, who moves behind the plate from the infield. Lawrence will hit leadoff for the Bulldogs, and will once again be the catalyst for the team's aggressive style.
Skowhegan also returns a number of players, including ace pitcher Cody Vigue.
"(Vigue) was in a lot of big games for us last year," York said. "He pitched a lot of big games for us. He wants the ball."
The Indians return a trio of four-year starters -- catcher Les Marcue, center fielder Andy Calder and second baseman Jonathan Wheaton. Senior Matt Hisler is back at short.
Although Cony has just one senior, the Rams could be a surprise team in the KVAC this season. Many on the team have played at regional and national levels the past three seasons in Babe Ruth League.
"We've got tremendous depth and big-game experience at the younger levels," Cony coach Ray Vallee said. "Really what we need is for a couple of those young kids to prove themselves at the varsity level."
Senior Cory Nason anchors a pitching staff that also includes sophomores Ryan Minoty and Jake Beland. Junior Greg O'Neill leads the returning hitters and the rest of the lineup has excellent overall speed.
The Rams drew a couple of tough crossover opponents from the conference's northern division in Bangor and Brewer.
Messalonskee has three-year starters Tony Jacobs at catcher and Nick Curato in the outfield. The Eagles also return Chris Farrar, one of the top pitchers in the conference.
"Hopefully, (Farrar) will look a lot better this year, because he became a little bit known," coach Ray Bernier said. "That means he'll have to work twice as hard."
The Eagles are strong up the middle, with shortstop Josh Gilbert and second baseman Ray Bernier back as the double play combination. Coach Bernier said the corner infield spots are up for grabs.
Mt. Blue just missed the playoffs last season, finishing one point behind Edward Little for the final spot. With just four players returning, the Cougars hope to rebuild and make a run to the postseason.
Senior Joe Gilbert is the most experienced pitcher on the Mt. Blue roster. Sophomores Tim Smith, Alex Whitt and Ryan Backus will pitch as well.
"We're looking for (Gilbert) to carry the load early," Mt. Blue coach Craig Collins said.
Senior first baseman/outfielder Bobby Duley is Mt. Blue's top returning hitter. Junior Brad Dority is back at short and will pitch some.
New coach Jared Foster takes over a Nokomis team that has struggled in recent years, and won one game last season. In sophomore Derek Amoroso, Foster thinks he has a pitcher he can build around.
"He throws the ball hard, has a good breaking ball, and we're working on his changeup," Foster said.
Seniors Cody Johndro will serve as the designated hitter and could close some games. Casey Reynolds, also a senior, is back at first base.
Staff writer Gary Hawkins contribued to this report
Travis Lazarczyk -- 861-9242
tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com
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