With the women’s basketball team bowing out of the NCAA tournament, it’s time to put our hopes into another prominent sports team: baseball.
It’s been 12 years since baseball won its second of two national championships, and I think it is about time for another one.
This is not wishful thinking.
With arguably the most potent offensive lineup in the region, USM boasts some pretty remarkable talent and a legendary coach who knows what it takes to win at the highest level.
The Huskies return two All-American honorees in senior shortstop Chris Burleson (Portland) and Anthony D’Alfonso (Westbrook), both of whom are looking to add to career-years.
D’Alfonso is just a year removed from a season where he hit 15 home runs, drove in 62 runs and batted a red-hot .393.
I consider D’Alfonso the best pure hitter in the state, regardless of level (yes, that includes D-I). His approach at the plate is a rare blend of power and contact that will, more than likely, prove fatal for USM’s foes throughout the season.
Burleson, an anchor in the middle of the Huskies’ infield, is coming off an equally impressive season. Batting out of the lead-off spot, Burleson was a Rickey Henderson-type force. Blending speed and power, Burleson compiled nine homers, scored 63 runs and batted .383.
However, what gives USM the brightest hopes of claiming their third-ever national championship are the players behind D’Alfonso and Burleson. Senior Ryan Pike (Saco) will no doubt be a force, while a healthier Collin Henry (Penobscot) will make USM’s middle-portion of the lineup a a formidable task for any pitcher. Throw in Josh Mackey (Danvers, MA) and USM rivals any team across the country.
The only thing between USM and a long run in the national tournament is a stable of experienced and proven pitchers. But, let there be no mistake, the Huskies are loaded with fresh, young and talented arms that, if the chips fall into place, could be lights out.
The addition of Josh Jillson, a University of Maine transfer, bolsters a potential rotation that already includes Tim Therrian (New Portland), lefty Mark Schmidt (Gorham) and Ben Ives (Portland).
Coach Ed Flaherty’s team has already been picked to win the always tough Little East Conference, besting perennial power Eastern Connecticut and Keene State. The Huskies are ranked eighth in the most recent D3Baseball.com top-25 poll, which puts them three spots ahead of Eastern Connecticut.
A testament to the over-loaded talent of USM was the number of players who tried out for this year’s team and the fact that Flaherty had to cut players from the team who had previously held roster positions – players that could be starting or seeing siginificant playing time at most other D-III schools.
It’s a bold statement, but I’m going to make it. Look for the Huskies to hang banner number three at the end of this year.