Husson College ace righthander Dave Dostie of Augusta wanted to have a memorable senior year.

So he increased his workout regimen and the results have been staggering.

The man who entered this season with a career record of 6-9 and earned run average of 6.25 has compiled a 5-3 record with a miniscule 1.46 ERA. He has struck out 85 hitters in 55? innings and allowed only 34 hits. He has walked 28.

Dostie and the Braves will open the NAIA Region 10 Independent Tournament against defending champ Thomas College at noon Friday on Larry Mahaney Diamond at Saint Joseph’s College’s in Standish. Husson, 21-18, is the second seed while 16-16 Thomas of Waterville is seeded third. Top seed Saint Joseph’s, 23-16, plays 13-15 Lyndon State (Vt.), the fourth seed, at 4.

The double-elimination tournament continues Saturday at 11, 3 and 7 on Saturday with the championship round beginning Sunday at noon.

Dostie said, “I put a lot of extra work into this. I wish I had done it in the past. Before, I gave up on running in the off-season. This year, I ran throughout the off-season. I got in shape and it has made a big difference.”

Dostie also explained that he had lifted weights throughout high school but hadn’t lifted in his first 21/2 years at Husson. He went back to weight training a year ago.

“I would go to the USA [Union Street Athletics] gym six days a week and work out for two hours each day,” added Dostie.

Thomas coach Greg King said Dostie “has thrown the heck out of the ball. He is the one dominant pitcher in this tournament. He is the best I’ve seen in my six years at Thomas.”

Lyndon State coach Skip Pound said Dostie not only throws hard, he has a “nice slider.”

“When my slider is working, it’s my best pitch,” said Dostie. “Some days it doesn’t come around until the second or third inning. So I have to rely on my fastball until then.”

Dostie also said he has changed his mental approach to pitching.

“I used to have a more over-the-top motion when I threw my fastball and I’d think about [my mechanics] a lot. Now I just throw the ball without thinking about it. I’m not throwing it over-the-top as much and it has a little tail on it now. I’ve got a lot more pop on it,” added Dostie.

He is pitching with more confidence than ever and has reached the point where he has as much confidence in his slider as he does his fastball.

“I’ll throw my slider on a 3-2 count because I know I can throw it for a strike now,” said Dostie.

Husson coach John Kolasinski said Dostie has matured and “doesn’t have a negative thought in his mind when he’s pitching. He’s positive he can get the hitter out.”

“If I go out and give everything I have, I’m happy with myself,” said Dostie, who is looking forward to the tournament.

“I have never won any kind of state championship. I really want to win this one,” said Dostie.

In addition to Dostie, other Husson catalysts have been pitcher-DH Keith Simmons (.400, 1 homer, 15 RBIs), catcher Mike Worcester (.342-3-21), freshman 1B Craig Harvey (.312-9-34) and LF-C John McGlinn (.305-1-18) along with righty Barrett Dionne (3-2, 2.85).

Thomas features 1b-P Travis Hotham (.386-5-29), 3B Scott Sibley (375-10-29), C Scott Brawn (.347-8-27) and CF Buzz Simpson (.354-5-23) of Bucksport. As a pitcher, lefty Hotham, who will oppose Dostie, is 4-1 with a 2.50 ERA. Shawn Lenihan is 3-3 with a 4.60 ERA.

Saint Joseph’s has been paced by 1B Jesse LaCasse (.424-12-58), SS Jim Becvar (.388, 12 stolen bases), C Derek McIntosh (.369-6-37) and 2b Lucas Hannigan (.324-5-29) along with pitchers Brent Dan (4-4, 4.21) and Charlie Buker (5-3, 5.87).

Lyndon State has been powered by C Dave Sweet (.372), 1B Jared Marsh (.368), 2B Matt Durso (.348) and RF-3B Tim Feerick (.343) along with RF Ryan Farley (.341) of Skowhegan. Dave Deming (3-1) and Joe Parrotte (3-2) head up the pitching staff.