CAHS should challenge
in Eastern Maine Class D baseball this year
By Jon Gulliver
Staff Writer
MARS HILL — The Central Aroostook Panthers are looking to advance deep in the Eastern Maine Class D baseball playoffs this year, following a disappointing loss in the quarterfinals last year despite at 14-3 record.
BATTER UP — Central Aroostook’s Dan Brewer is at the plate against Ashland on Friday. The Panthers won the season opener for both teams by a score of 14-0. 
According to coach Brent York, who has been at the helm of the program for eight years, the Panthers are a fairly safe bet to make the postseason, since they have made the playoffs for at least the last 10 years.
Nine players are back from last year’s squad and there are 15 players on the roster. York does have to replace pitcher Logan McLaughlin, who was a four-time All-Aroostook selection. Also lost to graduation was Kyle Murray, who was one of the leading hitters last spring.
The pitching staff will be heavy with seniors this year, with Dan Brewer, Brendan York, Mike McClung and Ross Grass each getting time on the hill. Junior Dylan Murray is also in the pitching mix.
Also on the roster are juniors Darrin Murray (outfield), Joe Stiles (outfield), Cody Barber (outfield), Derek Rusby (third base); sophomore outfielders Corey Richardson, Jacob Canney and Connor Todd; and freshmen Ryan King (outfield), Zach Grass (catcher) and Zach McClung (third base).
“Assistant coach Butch Richardson and I are both pretty laid back in our coaching styles, mainly because we have been fortunate to have a great group of athletes who are very teachable and self-motivated,” said coach York. “We both stress fundamentals and repetitive drills.”
Optimism is high for the season and the coaches feel the sky is the limit.
“We should do very well this year and hope to improve on last year’s record and playoff results,” said York. “The key will be pitching.”
Central Aroostook opened up the season with a win over Ashland on Friday. The Panthers will be back in action on the road Thursday against Madawaska. Game time is 4 p.m.
