UMPI baseball is senior-laden team

    First-year University of Maine at Presque Isle baseball coach Mike Pankow is looking for consistency from a veteran squad that has nine seniors who have experience with the difficulties of playing a collegiate baseball schedule while based in northern Maine.
Pankow, a hurler in his college playing days, is working hard with a pitching staff that has struggled in the early going. The group is anchored by Jordan Perry, Andrew Barlett and freshman Isiah Straubel.  Other Owls who have started are Josh Brazier, Ghaz Sailors and Dylan Worster.
Seniors Ryan Thompson and Lucas Molloy will work out of the bullpen, as will sophomore Tommy Collins and freshman Mitch Thayer. Molloy will provide leadership to his pen mates as he was named a co-captain for his solid, team-first attitude.
Senior second basemen Justin Bergeron and Brazier were strong with the bat in the early going, hitting .267 and .250, respectively.
Bergeron is slugging .367 with three doubles and Brazier is leading the Owls with a .357 on base percentage. Senior co-captain Shane Smith has been getting on base at a .345 clip and is a stalwart in center field for the Owls.
Rounding out the infield, sophomore transfer Adam Begos will see most of the shortstop duties and senior Cam Morrell is the third baseman. Begos and Morrell are also among the team leaders in RBIs.      Freshmen Straubel and Thayer will platoon at first base, while Sailors and Bergeron will back up the infielders.
The outfield is manned by Brazier, Smith and Collins. Thompson will also see time in the outfield when not on the mound.
Catching has been a strong suit so far. Senior co-captain Alex Csiernik has been outstanding behind the plate. A patient and smart hitter, Csiernik leads the Owls in walks and has an on-base percentage of .280. Thayer will serve as Csiernik’s backup.
“We are battling and we are showing the type of character and fortitude it takes to be successful,” said Pankow. “We do need to play better, but we are behind these teams, as many had played 15 to 20 games the day we saw our first true fly ball.
“I have all the faith in our group that we will continue to work hard and improve.”