Husson set to rebuild with veteran nucleus Spencer, Harvey selected as Eagles’ captains

Justin Spencer of Brewer and Bucksport’s Jason Harvey will be the Husson College baseball co-captains next season according to coach John Winkin, who is already looking forward to the 2006 season.

The Eagles went 25-17 this past season, losing to Saint Joseph’s College in the finals of the North Atlantic Conference Tournament at Standish.

“We lose some valuable players but I feel comfortable we’ll be able to replace them eventually,” said Winkin.

He said most of the players who backed up the departing players “had a chance to gain some experience this year.”

The Eagles have to replace two starting pitchers in Mike Cowperthwaite (3-4, 5.72 earned run average during the regular season) and Barrett Dionne (3-1, 4.87) along with first baseman Kyle Mathieu (.357, 0 homers, 24 RBIs, 45 runs), left fielder Aaron Brideau (.346-1-20, 44 runs), second baseman Shawn Henderson (.202-0-11) and catcher Billy Kane (.257-0-10).

Center fielder Spencer, shortstop Harvey, right fielder Chris McInnis, designated hitter Sean Brawn and third baseman Adam Sheehan headline the list of returnees along with a deep pitching staff.

McInnis (.321-1-21, 42 runs), Spencer (.320-4-33, 47 runs), Brawn (.316-4-35, 43 runs), Harvey (.297-2-23, 33 runs) and Sheehan (.265-1-20, 25 runs) will provide Winkin with a solid offensive nucleus. Brawn is having minor shoulder surgery this summer which should enable him to play the outfield.

Robert Webber (4-4, 3.28) and Travis Tripp (6-2, 4.15) will supply Winkin with a formidable one-two punch in the starting rotation and Chris Sargent (3-3, 7.98) made eight starts. James Gray (4-0, 3 saves, 4.01), Sam Adolphsen (0-0, 4.09), Jon Tefft (0-0, 4 saves, 5.73) and Keith Nason (0-0, 6.00) will give the Eagles a veteran bullpen.

Incoming recruits Chris Pease of Hampden Academy and Anthony DeRosa of Bangor High will vie for innings on the mound along with Bangor’s Josh Young, who began the year at Husson but left school. Young, the former Bangor High School and American Legion ace, will return in the fall.

Nate Cousineau appeared in 17 games and Devin Potvin appeared in nine and they will be among contenders for the starting catcher’s job. Andrew Patterson, who played in six games, will get a serious look at first base and Danny White (.240 in 50 at-bats) will probably be the second baseman.

Nate Ellis will give them a good defensive outfielder.

“We developed a real good nucleus for next year the way things fashioned themselves,” said Winkin. “And I feel very comfortable with the incoming class, especially the pitchers.”

Winkin also said Sean Brawn could become their closer if all goes well with his shoulder surgery.

He also said he likes the choice of captains.

“They’re a nice fit. They both love the game,” said Winkin, who will coach the Bangor American Legion team this summer.