Osborne cracks season mark for Monks’ HRs

Millinocket’s Steve Osborne was the NAIA Region 10 Player of the Year last season when he hit .456 with six homers and 38 runs batted in for St. Joseph’s College in Standish. He led the team with 57 hits.

His encore this spring has been even more impressive.

Just 18 games into his senior season, Osborne has walloped 11 homers, eclipsing the previous single-seson record of 10 shared by Jesse LaCasse (2000), Peter McNally (1995), and John Kearney (1994).

He also leads the team with 34 runs batted in, 35 hits, 77 total bases, 29 runs scored, a .507 average, and a slugging percentage of 1.116.

The former Stearns High School and Old Town-Orono American Legion star has surprised himself with his power output.

“I didn’t expect this,” said the 22-year-old center fielder. “I haven’t done anything different [physically] than I have in the past. I’ve been more mentally prepared.

“I’ve been more focused on baseball than ever before and it is paying off for me. It feels good. I just hope I can keep it going the rest of the year.”

Osborne has been the catalyst behind St. Joseph’s school-record 11-0 start. The Monks are now 16-2.

He is the school’s all-time leader in homers (31), runs (148), and RBIs (131). His 177 hits are second, 12 behind Dave Quintal’s record.

Not bad for someone who underwent three surgical procedures for a heart condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White during a one-year span prior to and during his freshman year at St. Joseph’s.

He said he still has the condition, but he said he hasn’t had a problem with the heart since his freshman year.

Osborne wants to make his senior year a memorable one.

“I’ve thought a lot about that. We have a great group of seniors and the whole team really pulls together,” said Osborne.

He also said he has progressed from being a dead pull hitter to somebody who uses the whole field.

“That’s the biggest thing I had to work on,” said Osborne. “Coach [Will] Sanborn has really worked hard with us on hitting the ball the other way.”

Sanborn said, “We talked before the season and we knew how people were going to pitch him [primarily away]. He has a great idea of what he’s doing up there and a good feel for the count and how to adjust to what the pitcher will try to do with him. He has also been a lot more aggressive.”

Osborne belted six homers in the Monks’ first four games on their Florida spring trip and he said he received a valuable confidence boost that he has maintained.

Pro scouts have been taking notice of Osborne’s offensive prowess.

“I’ve been contacted by a few teams. Hopefully, things will work out for me. I’d love to keep playing after this,” said Osborne.

“He certainly deserves the chance. He just keeps getting better,” said Sanborn, who also considers Osborne a “terrific outfielder.”

Osborne’s goals for this season include leading his Monks to the NAIA World Series, breaking the career hits record and reaching the 200-hit plateau, and being named an NAIA All-American.

He has previously been an honorable mention All-American.

“The biggest goal is making it to the World Series. Every year we get to the regional tournament, but we can’t put it together. I think we can do it this year. I’ve never been on a team with so much confidence. We really believe in each other,” said Osborne. “We’re scoring 10-15 runs per game and all of our pitchers are capable of throwing strikes.”