Russell of SAHS, Weston of Penquis to receive honors

PORTLAND – The Maine Baseball Hall of Fame will introduce the Edward J. “Packy” McFarland and Marie W. Noel baseball and softball scholarship recipients at the Holiday Inn By the Bay at its 28th annual induction banquet on July 12.

Nick Russell of Southern Aroostook Community High School in Dyer Brook and Ryan Adams of Sanford High School will receive the $500 McFarland Scholarship for their excellence on and off the baseball diamond.

Russell, who will attend St. Joseph’s College in Standish, hit .460 this season and led the Warriors to their third straight Eastern Maine playoff appearance.

Adams was the Maine Sunday Telegram’s player of the year and an all-state selection. He compiled a 5-1 record and 1.61 ERA for the Redskins. Adams will enroll at the University of Southern Maine in the fall.

Erin Weston of Penquis Valley High School in Milo and Katie Barton of Deering in Portland have been selected the Marie W. Noel scholarship recipients for their classroom and athletic performances in 1998.

Weston batted .492 this year for the Patriots with 16 extra-base hits. She captained the softball and soccer teams at Penquis Valley in addition to several other extra-curricular activities. Weston will attend the University of Maine.

Barton was a first-team All-SMA selection at first base after batting .460 with four home runs and 23 RBIs for Deering. She captained three different sports during her senior year and received the Merv Kilgore Coaches and Athlete of the Year awards at Deering. She is going to attend the University of Vermont.

In addition to the scholarship presentations, the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame will be making its annual inductions. Orono native Gerry Duffy and Vinal “Red” Russell, who made their mark in Aroostook County will headline the inductions.

Also inducted this year will be: Joe Linscott (Augusta), Jim Bouchles (Auburn), Art Boothby (Gorham), Hal Ware (Standish), Art Kierstead (South Portland), Brad Leach (Saco), Reggie Hall (Westbrook) and Charles “Chick” Norton (Eastport).

Linwood “Lin” Hersey, an Easton native, was inducted into the hall shortly before his death in January.

The President’s Award will honor Rudy Ferrante of Scarborough.

For more information on the induction ceremony, call Sonny Noel at 799-4742.