The Husson College baseball team will have to rely on some young arms this season.

But third-year head coach John Winkin and two of his All-North Atlantic Conference returnees are optimistic.

“This is definitely the best team I’ve ever been on,” stated senior center fielder Justin Spencer of Brewer, an All-NAC second team selection a year ago.

Winkin, closing in on his 1,000th career win including stints at Colby College and the University of Maine, said “we can play defense with anybody, at least in Division III. Our infield is outstanding.”

Senior shortstop Jason Harvey said all of their outfielders have speed and “great arms.

“That makes us tough all the way around,” said Harvey, a first team All-NAC choice last year.

The veteran infield includes junior Adam Sheehan at third; Harvey; sophomore Danny White at second and either sophomore Andrew Patterson or senior Sean Brawn at first.

“Adam, Danny and I played on the same Bay League team last summer so we’re used to each other,” pointed out Harvey.

In the outfield, Spencer will be flanked by freshman left fielder Jeff Miller and senior Chris McInnis in right.

Senior Devin Potvin will do the catching with freshman Brian McGinley backing him up.

Brawn, a first team All-NAC pick last spring, will be the designated hitter when he isn’t playing first.

There will be some question marks on the mound since All-NAC second teamer Bob Webber (5-4, 3.03 earned-run average) will undergo arm surgery and former Bangor High standout Josh Young, who was ineligible last spring, has left school.

“They were two pitchers we were counting on,” said Winkin.

Senior Travis Tripp (7-2, 3.81) and junior James Gray (4-0, 3 saves, 3.86) will head up the starting rotation. Gray pitched in 14 games last year but just two of them were starts.

Gray pitched a no-hitter in his first outing on Husson’s spring trip earlier this week.

“That’s the best fastball I’ve ever seen from him,” said an encouraged Winkin.

Freshmen Anthony DeRosa and Chad Lavway will be the number three and four starters, respectively, and Chris Pease will also be in the mix.

Winkin expects them to develop into good front-line starters.

Harvey said “we expect great things from Anthony and Chad.”

Jon Tefft (0-0, team-high 4 saves, 5.73) and Sam Adolphsen (0-0, 3.46) will anchor the bullpen along with Keith Nason (0-0, 6.00). All three are sophomores. Patterson and McInnis will also see some mound duty as could freshman Gerry Worster.

The batting order could be a potent one.

Spencer (.321-4 homers-37 RBIs, 39 runs scored) will lead off and will be followed by White (.226), Harvey (.305-3-26), Brawn (.307-5-38), McInnis (.297-1-22), Sheehan (.267-1-21), Patterson (2-for-6, .333), Potvin (3-for-7, .429) and Miller.

“If our top four hitters live up to their potential, we could be explosive,” said Winkin.

Freshmen infielders Billy Shannon and George Keefe and outfielder Nate Ellis will also see some playing time as will DH-outfielder Dustin Thomas.

Spencer said the Eagles have excellent team chemistry.

“Our season will hinge on being able to stay healthy and our young pitchers,” said Winkin.

The Eagles got off to a 2-2 start on their spring trip, leaving Winkin three wins shy of becoming the 44th college coach to reach the 1,000-win plateau.