LIMESTONE, Maine — Eric McGough has plenty of experience playing the game of baseball and hopes to share that experience with his players as the new coach of the Limestone-MSSM Eagles’ varsity squad.
McGough replaces Glenn Michaud, who stepped down after two seasons. McGough is a Pennsylvania native who went on to play collegiately at Div. I Charleston Southern University in South Carolina and then professionally for the Edinburg (Texas) Roadrunners in the United League. He has spent nine years as a personal baseball instructor and while his only prior coaching experience was one season as an assistant coach for his hometown’s American Legion team, McGough is looking forward to working with the Eagles.
“I was drawn by a very motivated and energetic group of players,” he said. “They are excited about learning and playing the game, and I was excited for the opportunity to help them.”
McGough said during preseason workouts, the focus has been on the fundamentals of the game.
“Much of what I use [for workouts] is from my own experiences as a professional, as well as the experience of friends and family members who have also played at the professional level,” he said.
“The players have had a very positive attitude toward the workouts, and I think that they are very pleased with the growth — both personal and team — to this point. We still have a long way to go, but I’m pleased with the effort that everyone is putting forth to become a quality team,” he added.
McGough has three key veterans which will help in his transition as a first-year coach. They are senior Tristan Kirk, Tyler Morgan and Chris Bernier.
Kirk starts at shortstop and is a sparkplug as the leadoff hitter, while Morgan will pitch and play infield and has proved to be a solid leader with his willingness to help the team any way he can. Bernier has a 20-strikeout game under his belt from last season as one of the top pitchers in Aroostook County, but McGough is more impressed with the character and leadership ability he demonstrates as well. When not pitching, Bernier will be a starter in the outfield for the Eagles.
The other starters are junior pitcher/outfielder Sam Kupiec, junior infielder/catcher Dylan Nadeau, junior catcher/outfielder Chris Giroux, junior infielder Andy Whitman, sophomore pitcher/infielder/outfielder Gordon McCulloh and freshman outfielder Travis Hatfield.
Rounding out the roster are freshmen Matthew Hancock and Victor Negron, sophomores Bret Morgan and Joey Weeks and juniors Micah Butler and Paul Gentile, as well as senior player/manager Tyler Broome.
McGough’s assistant coach will be Pierre Huntress.
“I think this team has the talent to be competitive this season,” McGough said. “Being new to the region, I am still discovering what the baseball talent pool is like here, and I can’t speak on how we’ll do against other teams.
“But we have a wide range of talent on this team. Our experienced players are very talented, but depth will be what decides our fate this year. If our developing players can emerge and make the routine plays for us, I think we have enough talent to be competitive in our league.”
Pitching could be the team’s strong point, according to McGough. Bernier, Kupiec and Tyler Morgan line up as the starters, while McCulloh provides long relief, Weeks the lefthanded specialist and Kirk the closer. Hatfield and Hancock will also provide middle-inning relief when needed.
“Our pitchers know that the best pitch in baseball is a strike, and we work tirelessly to improve our consistency in that area,” McGough said.
The Eagles had a successful opener, shutting out Wisdom at home last Tuesday, and McGough is hopeful that success will continue with hard work and dedication.
“We are very much driven by the process of improvement and execution. Our hitters know that anything can happen when the ball is put in play, so we spend a great deal of time working on solid contact. Our fielders know that quality teams don’t always make the highlight-reel plays, but consistently make the routine plays,” McGough said.
“Our focus is executing and developing in these areas. If we can do that, I believe that our record will reflect that. Either way, we will conduct our business with class and character throughout the season,” he added.
