Blue Hill—The George Stevens Academy baseball team has been a playoff contender in each of its last five seasons, highlighted by an appearance in the Class C State championship in 2016. In fact, the Eagles have not missed the postseason since 2010.
Head coach Dane Kane said he is “fully confident” his team will be back in the playoff mix come June this season.
Kane said the main difference this year is in the pitching, as key ace Stefan Simmons graduated last year. The Eagles will need to rely on their entire pitching staff this season, as several pitchers have not had a large amount of varsity level experience from the mound yet.
“These guys had seniors in front of them last year so they didn’t really get a lot of action, but I think we’ll still be good,” said Kane. “They find the strike zone well and will have to rely on their teammates behind them.”
Another difference will be behind the plate, as starting catcher and team leader Marshal Lebel was also part of last year’s graduating class.
George Stevens Academy went 11-5 in the regular season last year, good for fourth place in the Class C North standings, before losing in the semifinals to Houlton 4-2 on the opposing team’s field.
Kane said his team’s schedule is exactly the same as last year, and that he is excited to play against teams who will “most likely” be playoff contenders in Class C.
“Ellsworth is also really tough in Class B every year, and so to play against them really helps us,” said Kane.
The team is scheduled to kick off the season at home against Ellsworth on April 18, if the field is ready by then. If not, the next chance for action is Monday, April 22, against Mattanawcook Academy.
The 2019 George Stevens Academy baseball team includes, in front from left, Vanessa Sherwood, Garrett Parker, Memphis Parker, Owen Vinall, Austin Snow, John Bakeman and Harrison Walden. In back are Ben Parker, Caden Mattson, Jed Sawyer, Teague Smallidge, Parker Allen, Tanner Ashley, Ryan Mullen and Marcus Candage. Not pictured is Ethan Vinall. Photo courtesy of Larry Gray