FARMINGTON – The University of Maine at Farmington baseball team is scheduled to open its 2009 campaign with a doubleheader at Fisher College on Friday. The games will be played at Haverhill Field.
The Beavers were picked fifth in the North Atlantic Conference in a preseason poll conducted by conference’s coaches and announced by the conference in February. Farmington went 5-22 last season and 3-7 in the NAC. NAC preseason poll
“We’ve been improving,” said head coach Dick Meader. “I think we have solid pitching. Guys have matured as hitters with consistency. I think we have more depth than we’ve had in the past.”
The pitching staff is headlined by the starting quartet of seniors Dan Hemdal (Nashua, NH) and Craig Pendleton (Saco, ME) and juniors Brian Morrison (Saco, ME) and Bill Ridge (South Portland, ME). Freshman Brandon Gallagher (North Yarmouth, ME) will also be in line for starting duties.
The pitching staff is rounded out by seniors Ryan DiPompo (Jay, ME) and Pat Howell (Nobleboro, ME), sophomore Will Griffiths (Mechanic Falls, ME) and freshman Jarrod Erdmann (Topsham, ME).
Senior captain Tyler Hanson (Sanford, ME), an All-NAC Second Team selection a year ago, returns behind the plate. Hanson will be backed up by freshmen Conner McNeill (Portland, ME) and John Macvane (Mechanic Falls, ME). McNeill was also see time in the outfield and at designated hitter.
In the field, junior second baseman Kyle Shea (Bar Harbor, ME) and sophomore third baseman Josh Garneau (South Portland, ME) are returning starters. Sophomores Mitch Bean (Old Orchard Beach, ME) and Matt Levine (Pelham, NH) are vying for time at first base with Morrison also filling in. Freshman Brian Jenkins (Gorham, ME) will occupy shortstop with junior Matt Judkins (Thomaston, ME) spelling Jenkins and Garneau and junior Steve Hutchinson (Beverly, MA) seeing time at second base.
The Beavers feature a speedy trio of junior Phineas Peake (Penobscot, ME), sophomore Russ Schmelzer (Winthrop, ME) and freshman Ethan Jean (Jackson, ME) in the outfield. Peake was a NAC Honorable Mention choice last season. Freshmen Tyler Brookings (Bangor, ME) and Brandon Emerson (Dexter, ME) will also be in the mix in the outfield.
The Beavers are slated to open NAC play on April 4-5 at Castleton State College. Conference format this season featured two doubleheaders against each NAC opponent.
Farmington’s home opener is scheduled for April 8 against Colby College.
