PREVIEW
By Jon Gulliver
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — Young, but a team to reckon with, that’s how first-year coach Glenn Michaud describes his Limestone Community School/Maine School of Science and Mathematics baseball team.
On a recent spring trip downstate the Eagles went 1-2, but the coach was pleased with the way the team competed.
“We were close in every game,” said Michaud. “I was pleased with the outcome.”
The only senior starter on the team will be Zack Cote, who will pitch and play first and third, according to the coach. Cote is also the team captain.
Doing the bulk of the pitching will be sophomores Chris Paradis, Chris Bernier and Taylor Morgan. When they are not pitching Michaud says they will be in the starting nine at various positions.
Also projected in the starting lineup are juniors Brandon Thompson (centerfield) and Bret Butler (left field), sophomore Tristan Kirk (second, shortstop, outfield), and freshman Dylan Michaud will handle much of the catching duties.
“He is very mature behind the plate as a freshman,” said Michaud.
The rest of the roster is made up of seniors Austin Dow-Smith (outfield, third base), John Massey (outfield, third base) and Henry Schuth (pitcher, outfield); juniors Nate Tucker (second base) and Eric Tilmont (outfield); sophomore Brandon Nadeau (catcher, outfield); and freshman Paul Gentile (outfield). The managers are Kevan Villarreal and Matt Beil. The assistant coach is Justin Cross, who is also in his first year with the squad.
“Even though we are a young team, we have a lot of talent and are setting our goal high,” said Michaud. “We not only want to go to make the prelims, we want to go far in the tournament.”
Pitching will play a big role in how the Eagles fare this spring. Michaud is counting on his two aces.
“Paradis and Bernier now have a year of experience behind them and I expect them to do the bulk of our pitching and keep us close in most games,” he said.
“If we can play good defense and have timely hitting we should win our share of games,” Michaud added.
The coach also points to good speed on the base paths, which should be an advantage.
