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When considering the unsung heroes of the Eastern Maine Class A champion Bangor High School Rams, you might as well start at the top.
Leadoff hitter Dave Hamel has been one of the keys in Bangor’s run to Saturday’s state Class A championship game against Portland.
Hamel’s role as leadoff hitter, coupled with his outstanding defensive abilities in left field, have been pivotal in the team’s success.
“He really blossomed both offensively and defensively,” said Bangor coach Bob Kelley. “In our first scrimmage, we stuck him in that leadoff spot and haven’t been able to get him out of there since.”
“Offensively, I just try to make contact,” said Hamel, who will take his baseball and soccer abilities to the University of Maine-Presque Isle next season. “On defense, I’m just getting good jumps on the ball, seeing it really well off the bat. I don’t have as much as speed (as the other outfielders), but I’ve been able to get that good read off the bat.”
Hamel has a .371 batting average this season and has a team-high 26 hits. He has also scored 22 runs, second on the team, and has 13 RBIs.
While much has been written and said about Bangor’s stars such as Matt Kinney, Eric Murray, Mark McEwen and Tony Fernandez, a host of other role-playing Rams – like Hamel – have been the difference between Bangor being just another good team and a championship squad, Kelley said.
“They’re the difference,” said Kelley. “Otherwise, we’d be just another good team. That’s the real strength of our team – the kids playing together and playing as a team. It’s been that way all year.”
Center fielder Josh Jamieson (.429, 4 HRs, 19 RBIs) and right fielder Craig Bowden (.346) help give the Rams a speedy outfield.
Sophomore shortstop Mike Pelkey and senior second baseman Dan Lindsay shore up a solid defensive infield while Chip Babineau has been solid in his role as designated hitter.
Chris McGillicuddy, Andy Robichaud, Ryan Gaspar, Eric Fowle, and Fred Moore have played key roles in cameo appearances such as pinch hitter and pinch runner.
“We’ve had help from everybody,” said Hamel. “We’ve got great team spirit coming off the bench. It’s been great playing like that. We’re all good friends, and that really helps us out.”
Those unsung heroes will undoubtedly be critical in Saturday’s matchup against Portland.
Title matchups
State Baseball Championships
Class A: Bangor vs. Portland, 10 a.m., St. Joseph’s College, Standish Class B: Orono vs. Greely, 11:30 a.m., Mansfield Complex, Bangor Class C: George Stevens Acad. vs. Yarmouth, 4 p.m., St. Joseph’s College, Standish Class D: Fort Fairfield vs. Buckfield, 3:10 p.m., Mansfield Complex, Bangor
State Softball Championships Class A: Skowhegan vs. Portland, 7 p.m., St. Joseph’s College, Standish Class B: Hermon vs. Oak Hill, 3 p.m., Union Street Complex, Bangor Class C: Madawaska vs. Madison, 1 p.m., St. Joseph’s College, Standish Class D: Jonesport-Beals vs. Richmond, 11:30 a.m., Union Street Complex, Bangor
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