Billy Kane of Bradford, who recently concluded his four-year baseball career at Husson College in Bangor, will replace Jason Folsom as an assistant coach at Husson next fall.

Folsom has taken a position at Wight’s Sporting Goods, according to Husson head coach John Winkin.

“I’m excited,” said the 22-year-old Kane. “It’ll be a great opportunity for me. There’s nothing I do that gives me more joy than coaching. That’s what I want to do. This will only help me.”

Kane is no stranger to coaching. He is in his second season as the head coach of the Penquis American Legion team after spending two years as an assistant.

“Last summer, I was playing [for a PenBay League team] and coaching and I had more fun coaching,” said Kane.

Kane will work on the defensive aspects of the game with the infielders, outfielders and catchers and will help organize the conditioning program and the travel itineraries. He will also be involved in recruiting and will be the first base coach.

Volunteer assistant Bain Pollard will continue to serve as the hitting coach and third base coach and Winkin will handle the pitchers.

Winkin said he is delighted to have Kane on his staff.

“He was the natural leader of our team without being a captain,” said Winkin. “He motivates players and is a great kid with a great feel and passion for the game. And he knows the game pretty well.”

Winkin said he feels fortunate to have someone of Kane’s caliber to follow Folsom, who did a “real good job for us.”

“Billy has the same enthusiasm Jason had. I think we need that. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of our players and that will be very valuable,” added Winkin.

Kane said he doesn’t foresee any problems coaching his friends and players near his own age.

“It’ll be a little different, but as long as you know the game and your motives are justified, they’ll respect you,” said Kane. “It should be a pretty easy transition. Hopefully, my Legion experience will carry over.”

Kane, who works as a front end shift leader at Hannaford’s on Broadway in Bangor, added that coaching Legion ball will give him a chance to scout players that could help the Husson program.

Kane, who played for Central High School in Corinth and for the Penquis Legion team before attending Husson, will finish up his degree in physical education in the fall.

Turini named UMM soccer coach

Veteran club coach Anthony Turini has been hired as the head men’s and women’s soccer coach at the University of Maine-Machias.

Turini, who will serve as an admissions counselor at UMM, comes to Machias via Carbondale, Ill., where he coaches the Southern Illinois Storm U-19 boys club soccer team. He also works as an admissions counselor on the undergraduate admissions staff at Western Illinois University.

“I am pleased we were able to attract a young, energetic coach with Anthony Turini’s background and experience to lead our men’s and women’s soccer programs,” said UMM athletic director Rich Fabri.

Turini’s coaching experience also includes six seasons with the Edinboro (Pa.) Regional Soccer Club and three years as an assistant women’s coach at Edinboro University.

Turini is a 1997 graduate of Gannon University (Pa.), where he earned a B.S. in psychology and was three-year letterwinner from 1993-95 and helped the Golden Knights reach the NCAA Division II national semifinals in 1993.

He received a master’s degree in student personnel services from Edinboro in 2001.

“There are a lot of changes going on [at UMM] right now and I’m thrilled about joining athletic director Rich Fabri and being a part of those changes.”

Colby duo tennis All-Americans

Colby College tennis players Sara Hughes and Allison Dunn have been named Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-Americans.

They earned their honors for doubles play by meeting two criteria: Finishing in the top 10 in the final national doubles rankings and winning a match at the national small-college championships.

They finished the year ranked 10th nationally.

Hughes and Dunn were runners-up at the ITA New England championships last fall and were third in the ITA National Small College championships in Florida.

They combined for a 17-7 doubles record. Hughes, an All-American for the third straight year, was 29-15 overall (doubles and singles) and Dunn was 28-14. Hughes graduated in May while Dunn will be a junior in the fall.

Bayley Academic All-America

Nick Bayley of Colby College in Waterville has been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Men’s At-Large College Division First Team for the third straight year.

The senior from Cambridge, Ontario, who played hockey for coach Jim Tortorella’s White Mules, graduated from Colby in May with a degree in biology.

The team is chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). At-large sports are hockey, swimming, lacrosse, tennis, golf, riflery, volleyball, gymnastics, skiing, water polo and wrestling.

Bayley finished his career ranked third all-time in scoring at Colby with 61 goals and 87 assists for 148 points in 99 games.