Coming off the program’s best season in five years, members of the University of Maine baseball team have dispersed across the Northeast to begin summer league play.
Competing in wooden-bat leagues, without the added pressure of school, is an excellent opportunity for improvement.
“When these kids leave, when our season is completed, we want them to come back not just a year older but a year better,” said UMaine head coach Steve Trimper. “I think that’s going to be very important with this team, knowing that we have a lot of young guys.”
On Saturday, the fledgling Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide will play its New England Collegiate Baseball League home opener against the Sanford Mainers. The 5:30 p.m. game at The Ballpark, former home to the Class AAA Maine Guides, will have a distinct UMaine flavor.
Former UMaine star and assistant coach Aaron Izaryk is the manager for the Sanford Mainers. He’ll be guiding four UMaine players, including lefthander Jon Balentina, righties A.J. Bazdanes and D.J. Voisine and catcher Matt Verrier of Norway.
Former UMaine student assistant coach Lee Jatkevicius also is on the Sanford coaching staff.
Balentina is expected to get the start against Old Orchard Beach, which includes three UMaine teammates in shortstop Michael Fransoso, catcher Fran Whitten and outfielder Pat Thibodeau of Caribou.
Up to six Black Bears could be competing in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League, which is home to some of the top college-age talent in the country.
Expected to represent UMaine with the Chatham Anglers are righthanded pitcher Jeff Gibbs and infielder Alex Calbick, while first baseman Justin Leisenheimer and outfielder Taylor Lewis have temporary contracts.
Lewis, drafted in the 10th round (No. 302 overall), is in negotiations with the Pittsburgh Pirates about a possible pro contract.
Trimper said the Leisenheimer twins (Justin and Ian) are still considering returning for a fifth year of eligibility.
Righthander Steve Perakslis is slated to play for the Wareham Gatemen. Keith Bilodeau, a 24th-round pick of the San Francisco Giants, has a temporary contract with Wareham but may instead take a roster spot with Chatham.
Bilodeau also is weighing his pro options and is negotiating with the Giants.
Former Brewer High School standout Billy Bissell also has a shot to play on the Cape. The outfielder from Gallaudet University is a nonroster invitee with Wareham.
Infielder Mike Connolly and outfielder Colin Gay of UMaine have hooked up with the NECBL’s New Bedford Bay Sox, while lefty Kevin Scanlan is with the Amsterdam Mohawks of the New York Collegiate Baseball League.
Catcher Tyler Patzalek and infielder Troy Black will be playing summer ball in their native Ontario, while righthanded pitcher Shaun Coughlin, who had a few elbow issues during the spring, will be working out on his own.
Infielder Eric White of Brewer will play American Legion ball for the Brewer Falcons.
Mottola honored by NFF
Bill Mottola of Castine recently was honored by the Maine Chapter of the National Football Foundation with its “Contribution to Amateur Football Award.”
Mottola was a longtime football coach and athletic director at Maine Maritime Academy, where he arrived in 1967 as an assistant football coach, baseball coach and physical education instructor.
He became the head football coach in 1968 and held the post for 11 years. He was MMA’s athletic director from 1979 until his retirement in 2004, when he was the first inductee into the William J. Mottola Athletics Hall of Fame.
Mottola was the founder of “Camp Touchdown,” which provided instruction to young players from 1971-2001. He served as the commissioner of the New England Football Conference for eight years (1997-2004) and helped facilitate the growth of the league from eight to 14 teams.
He received the All-American Football Foundation Asa Bushnell Commissioner Award for his efforts with the NEFC. The William Mottola Most Valuable Player award is given in his honor at the annual NEFC championship game.
Mottola has been recognized by the New England Football Writers with their George C. Carens Award for Contributions to New England Football.
USM claims track accolades
Two members of the University of Southern Maine outdoor track and field team and both coaches have been recognized by the Little East Conference for their achievements.
Bethany Dumas was chosen the LEC field athlete of the year and Molly Carl was named the rookie track athlete of the year for the outdoor season.
USM women’s coach Scott Hutchinson and Huskies men’s coach George Towle were named the LEC outdoor coaches of the year.
Dumas, a junior from Augusta, won the pole vault (11-8), the javelin (135-9) and the 100-meter hurdles (15.74 seconds) at the LEC championships. She went on to earn All-America honors at the NCAA Division III championships, vaulting 11 feet, 1 1/4 inches.
Carl, a sophomore runner from York, won the 800 meters (2:17.41) at the LEC title meet and took second in the 1,500 (4:37.31). She later set the school record in 4:36.35.
Hutchinson coached the USM women to their fourth straight LEC outdoor championship to win the award for the fourth year in a row.
Towle directed the Huskies to their 12th consecutive men’s outdoor conference crown.