Paul named Zone 1 coach of year

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Coach Dave Paul, who guided his Old Town-Orono Twins to a 22-2 record and the Zone 1 American Legion baseball championship, was named the zone’s Coach of the Year for the second time in three years.

Meanwhile, Paul’s third baseman, Marc Halsted, and Waldo County pitcher-left fielder Bobby Hughes, shared the zone’s Most Valuable Player award.

The selections were made by the zone coaches Wednesday night.

Old Town-Orono placed five other players on the All-Zone First Team in catcher Ronnie Coombs, shortstop Andy Trice, second baseman Chris Hashey, center fielder Evan Stinson and pitcher Gary Sibley.

Bangor, which will join Old Town-Orono in representing Zone 1 at this weekend’s State AL Tournament in Standish, put four players on the first team in first baseman Matt Kinney, third baseman Tony Fernandez, center fielder Josh Jamieson and catcher-pitcher Mark McEwen, who was selected as the utility player.

Rounding out the first team were Skowhegan pitcher Nate Jewell and outfielder Adam Fitzpatrick and Brewer designated hitter Tiger Stewart.

Sibley, Fernandez and Jewell were the repeat first-team selections. Jewell made it as a utility player a year ago. Halsted, Trice, Fitzpatrick and Stewart were second-teamers last year.

“Dave did an outstanding job with Old Town-Orono,” said Bangor coach Steve Vanidestine. “This league is very competitive and to win 19 games (during the regular season prior to their three Zone 1 tournament wins) is an outstanding accomplishment. He’s one of the best coaches in the zone and deserves the award.”

The 34-year-old Paul, in his fifth season with Old Town-Orono, said “it’s always nice when you’re recognized by your peers. The team obviously has a lot to do with it.”

Halsted hit .480 for the Twins and had a team-leading 36 hits. He scored 32 runs, knocked in 21 and has struck out only once in 75 at bats. He is also a smooth-fielding third baseman.

“He plays his best in big situations,” said Brewer coach Dave Gonyar.

“He’s the class of the zone,” said Vanidestine. “Marc has a passion for the game, a desire and work ethic that is second to none.”

Hughes, featuring a live fastball and a variety of off-speed pitches, was the ace of the Waldo County staff, posting a 6-4 record and earning the first-year team a fourth-place finish and a berth in the Zone 1 tournament. Offensively, he paced the attack by hitting .407.

“He is a fierce competitor who gave Waldo County confidence that they could play at this level,” said Gonyar.

Paul called Hughes a “great athlete.

“He can run, he hits the ball hard and he knows how to pitch,” added Paul. ————————————————— Zone 1 Legion All-Stars

FIRST TEAM

Most Valuable Players – Marc Halsted, Old Town-Orono, .480, 32 runs, 21 RBIs; Bobby Hughes, Waldo County, 6-3 record, .407 average

Coach of the Year – Dave Paul, Old Town-Orono

Catcher – Ron Coombs, Old Town-Orono, .392, 34 RBIs, 26 runs 11 SBs

First base – Matt Kinney, Bangor, .390, 6 homers, 25 RBIs

Second base – Chris Hashey, Old Town-Orono, .370, 3 homers, 28 RBIs

Shortstop – Andy Trice, Old Town-Orono, .356, 26 runs, 4 triples

Third base – Tony Fernandez, Bangor, .407, 10 doubles, 28 RBIs

Outfield – Josh Jamieson, Bangor, .403, 3 homers, 16 RBIs

Outfield – Evan Stinson, Old Town-Orono, .384, 30 runs, 25 RBIs, 16 SBs

Outfield – Adam Fitzpatrick, Skowhegan, .348, 16 runs, 11 RBIs

Designated hitter – Tiger Stewart, Brewer, .340, 17 RBIs, 11 runs

Utility player – Mark McEwen, Bangor, .321, 11 stolen bases; 3-0, 1.08 as a pitcher

Pitcher – Gary Sibley, Old Town-Orono, 6-1, 2.18 earned run average

Pitcher – Chris Bartlett, Brewer, 4-1, 2.05 ERA, 7 walks in 41 innings

Pitcher – Nate Jewell, Skowhegan, 5-2, 4.20 ERA

SECOND TEAM

Catcher – Nate Martell, Calais

First base – Ben Jenkins, Brewer

Second base – Mike Tardif, Brewer

Shortstop – Corey Hight, Skowhegan

Third base – Greg Gobel, Brewer

Outfield – Mike Solovei, Brewer

Outfield – Jerry Gray, Trenton

Outfield – Chris Steiner, Waldo County

Outfield – Eric Murray, Bangor

Designated hitter – Jason Brown, Trenton

Utility player – George Tripp, Waldo County

Pitcher – Jason Clifford, Old Town-Orono

Pitcher – Nate Ballard, Old Town-Orono

Pitcher – Josh Pressley, Bangor

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Brewer: Mike Wentworth, Neil Raymond, Jason Dority, Tony Brigalli; Calais: Brian Chamberlain, Brian McArthur, Troy Dennison, Sam Shippee; Penquis: Matt Thomas, Deron Smith; Skowhegan: Kregg Jarvais, Greg Domareki, Chris Morris; Trenton: Will Holloway, J.T. Loomis, Matt Haney, Jared Polchies; Waldo County: Jason York, Jack Gallagher