Sawyer heading to Prague

Husson College second baseman Donnie Sawyer will play for a 15-man NAIA all-star team that will play in the Prague Baseball Week Tournament in the Czech Republic from June 26-30.

“I’m very excited. I feel really honored that I’m one of just 15 players chosen,” said Sawyer, a former Maine Athletic Conference Player of the Year (1999) and All-Region 10 selection who returned this season after missing last season due to shoulder surgery.

The Brewer native hit a team-leading .429 with two homers and 24 runs batted in for the Braves.

The 10-team tournament features seven teams from Europe, two U.S. teams and one from Australia.

In addition to playing games, the players will conduct clinics for the youngsters in Prague.

The NAIA team was picked by the coaching staff.

UMaine’s Eaton rated No. 18 QB

University of Maine quarterback Jake Eaton, who will be a junior in the fall, has been rated as the 18th best quarterback in the country by The Sports Network.

The 6-foot-1, 208-pounder from Rutland, Vt., actually was sixth among non-seniors in the network’s selection process.

Eaton completed 184 of 279 passes for 2,265 yards and five touchdowns last season for the Black Bears. His .659 completion percentage set a UMaine record, was tops in the Atlantic 10 and ranked third in the nation in Division I-AA.

Eaton also boasted a passing efficiency of 145.65 which was third best in the conference and 14th in the country.

Rocky Butler of Hofstra, who engineered a victory over UMaine last season, was ranked No. 1 in Division I-AA by TSN. He passed for 2,772 yards and 23 TDs and ran for 488 yards and 14 scores.

On to Omaha for Osborne

Saint Joseph’s senior outfielder Steve Osborne has been selected to compete in the second annual NCAA Home Run Challenge at the College World Series June 7 at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb.

The Millinocket native and Stearns High School graduate led the Monks in batting average (.481), home runs (22), RBIs (79), runs (64), slugging percentage (1,031) and on-base percentage (.530). He is one of eight college seniors – four from Division I, two from Division II, and two from Division III – to participate.

Participants were chosen using total home runs for the regular season and the average number of home runs per game. ESPN2 will broadcast the home run challenge live from 8 to 10 p.m.