PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The University of Maine at Presque Isle Owls baseball team goes into the season with high hopes.
Despite a relatively young roster, third-year head coach Mike Pankow likes the makeup of his squad.
“Many might point to our roster and see just four seniors no juniors and talk about our lack of experience. What they might not realize is that our sophomores played significant roles last season as freshmen,” Pankow said. “They were thrown into the fire so to speak, and have come back as stronger players that are being expected to play like upperclassmen.”
Andrew Bartlett (Damariscotta), Adam Begos (Westbrook), Tommy Collins (Pembroke) and Brady Rowe (Halifax, Nova Scotia) are the four seniors that will lead this group this season.
Bartlett returns to anchor the starting rotation, which should be a strength for the Owls. Sophomores Matt Curry (Caribou), Saul Nunez (Mapleton) and Jesus Garcia (Jewett City, Conn.), along with transfer Tyler McLaughlin (Fremont, Calif.) will get the bulk of the starts this season. Austin Bernier (Fort Fairfield) will also figure in some starts, but transition in and out of the bullpen as well. Collins, Frank Nunez (Mapleton), and Jacob Powell (Frankfort) will be the main options out of the bullpen.
Begos, who is still recovering from an off-season injury, will looked on to be the senior leader in the infield at second base. Saul Nunez will shift from shortstop to third base this season, while Bartlett and Powell will get the work at first. Playing a major role as a freshman will be Ryan Sanderson (Cow Bay, Nova Scotia), who figures to take over the shortstop position. Rowe will add stability to the infield at times, when he is not needed in the outfield. Bernier will also add depth in the infield while Solomon Fast (Phillips) returns as the primary catcher for the Owls.
Collins and Rowe spend much of their time roaming the outfield in center and right. Matt Cauchon (Kingston, Mass.) returns after a strong freshman campaign to man left field. Providing depth in the outfield is the versatile Garcia, who can also play infield and catch, and Curry who is a reliable option as well. Freshmen Cristian Nunez (Mapleton) and Joey Newell (Sipayik), and Frank Nunez will also contribute to the group.
“I feel like our starting pitchers all give us a chance to win anytime we play a game,” said Pankow. “Our hitters have come back stronger, this program is making great strides in the right direction. We are looking forward to an exciting spring.”
The Owls are currently 1-5 following their trip to North Carolina and Virginia two weeks ago. Two early-season, four-game weekend sets with Newbury College and Anna Maria College are coming up this week before the team heads south again over spring break. That trip includes 13 games over 10 days against various NCAA Div. III teams and USCAA teams.
In-state games include at Southern Maine Community College April 10, at UM-Farmington April 12, and at UMaine April 19. The Owls are scheduled to conclude their regular season schedule April 30 when they host Central Maine Community College.
