When University of Maine junior pitchers Larry Thomas and Ben Burlingame left school early to sign professional baseball contracts with the Chicago White Sox and Cubs, respectively, they left two large holes to fill in Maine’s starting rotation.

They also left sophomore righthander Ronnie Hewes from Brewer a golden opportunity to land a spot in next season’s starting rotation.

At the very least, Hewes should have a more prominent role with the Black Bears next season if he can hone his pitching skills this summer.

“Coach (John) Winkin mentioned that I might fill an all-purpose kind of role next season,” said Hewes. “It doesn’t really matter whether I start or relieve. I like doing both.”

Good thing, because he did both this season for the Black Bears. In seven games, he started two. Hewes went 2-3 with a 9.78 ERA. He struck out 15 batters in 23 innings.

Hewes is playing for the Bangor-Brewer Twins in the Eastern Maine Amateur Baseball League this summer, and if his early season performance is any indication of his potential, he’ll be tough to keep out of Maine’s rotation next year.

After three games, Hewes is sporting a 2-1 record and has not allowed an earned run in his last 19 straight innings pitched.

His strong start in the EMABL this season is due, in part, to his experimentation with new pitches and his maturation as a pitcher.

“I always knew him to be very high-strung, but he has become more calm … more focused and businesslike on the mound this year,” said John Kolasinski, head baseball coach at Husson College and Bangor-Brewer’s head coach.

“I think he could be the No. 2 or No. 3 starter for Maine next year,” Kolasinski continued. “His head is on straight, he’s willing to work, and he doesn’t give in.

“His mental toughness is a big key for him.”

Hewes relies primarily on three main pitches: the fast ball, slider and split-fingered fastball. He is also experimenting with a curve, which he throws occasionally.

“It’s a good time for me to experiment with different pitches this summer,” Hewes said. “My fast ball is really coming around, my arm feels good, and I feel real strong.”

Aside from his breaking ball, which Hewes says needs work, everything seems to be coming together for him.

“He doesn’t just rely on two pitches,” said Kolasinski. “He’s developing a good variety.”

Kolasinski has told Hewes, a notoriously fast worker, to slow down once in awhile in order to get his composure. It seems to have helped.

“Yeah, I’ve got to slow myself down more to stay focused,” said Hewes.

If he continues to pitch as well through the rest of the season as he has in his first three games, Hewes could soon start focusing on a leading role on the UMaine pitching staff.