In a few short weeks the USM spring sports schedule starts its 2003 campaign. This week we preview baseball, softball, and men’s lacrosse.
BASEBALL
Head Coach: Ed Flaherty
2002 Team Records: Overall (28-15-1), Little East (10-3-1)
Key players not returning: C-Peter L’Italian and OF/1B-Craig Gurekis
Newcomers to the team: P/OF-Brandon Brewer (transfer from University of Maine) and P-Mark Cahill (transfer from Salem State College)
Team Captains: Seniors Ryan Adams, Andy Lang, and Tyler Delorme
What coach Flaherty says about his captains: “They are as good as I have ever had. They have good work ethic and all the players look up to them. They are all self-motivated and stick to business.”
Coach Flaherty’s goals for 2003: “To play the best we can and to win the conference title and earn an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.”
Flaherty on the team’s depth: “We have a solid defense with good quality back-ups ready to come off the bench. We also have good quality pitching.”
Flaherty on the toughest opponents: Eastern Connecticut, Plymouth State, and Brandeis.
Flaherty’s favorite place to play: The Towers fields on the Gorham campus.
Key Opponents: Eastern Connecticut, Western Connecticut, UMass-Dartmouth, and Keene State.
SOFTBALL
Head Coach: Bonny Brown-Denico
2002 Team Records: Overall (28-17-1), Little East (7-7-0)
Key players not returning: OF-Sunshine Anders, P/1B-Jessie Becher, and Beth Fulton
Newcomers to the team: Pitchers Katie Manville and Catarina Rittano
Team Captains: Seniors Renee Heath and Sara McCain
What coach Brown-Denico says about her captains: “They have a strong work ethic and have great motivation.”
Coach Brown-Denico’s goals for 2003: “To win 30 games and win the conference title.”
Brown-Denico on the team’s depth: “Pitching and defense.”
Brown-Denico on the toughest opponents: “Keene State is the toughest place to play for our team.”
Brown-Denico’s favorite place to play: The Towers fields on the Gorham campus.
Key Opponents: Western Connecticut, RIC, Keene State, and Plymouth State.
MEN’S LACROSSE
Head Coach: Ken Tubbs
2002 Team Records: Overall (5-10), Little East (1-5)
Key players not returning: Kevin Beauregard, Wayne Ward, and Jon McCabe.
Newcomers to the team: D-Cayleb Eulitt and MF-Kevin McKay
Team Captains: Tobey Farrington, T.J. Bell, and Nick Rich.
What coach Tubbs says about his captains: “They have strong leadership qualities. They always step up and lead by example.”
Coach Tubbs’ goals for 2003: “To be competitive for the conference championship.”
Tubbs on the team’s depth: “Goaltending and team youth.”
Tubbs on the toughest opponents: “Emerson, Salve Regina, and all road games especially in Massachusetts.”
Tubbs’ favorite place to play: “Playing at home is a big advantage for us.”
Key Opponents: Maine Maritime, University of New England, Colby, and the Little East Conference opponents.
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Next week we will preview the women’s lacrosse and the men and women’s outdoor track teams.