Youth shining at UM Freshmen play important roles

No one associated with the University of Maine baseball program would argue it returned an outstanding nucleus for the 2006 season.

Seniors Ryan Quintal, Joe Hough, Scott Robinson and Troy Martin, along with juniors Joel Barrett and Matt McGraw and sophomore Curt Smith, gave the Black Bears a wealth of talent and experience.

That said, few could have predicted what a huge impact this year’s freshman class would have in helping first-year coach Steve Trimper’s team earn a second straight America East championship and another trip to the NCAA Tournament.

UMaine has utilized 11 different first-year players this season in a variety of roles.

“They’re just good ballplayers,” summed up senior co-captain Joe Hough. “It’s awesome, especially when you put five freshmen out on the field and come out with a win [in the conference championship game].”

UMaine has relied heavily on its first-year players, who will receive their toughest test yet when the Bears face host North Carolina in Friday’s 6 p.m. NCAA Tournament game at the Chapel Hill Regional.

Third baseman Kevin McAvoy of Brewer, second baseman Danny Menendez and catcher Sean Parker each started at least 43 games this spring. Frosh outfielder Billy Cather earned 29 starts and third baseman Brian Hackett of Bangor had nine.

Among the pitchers, starters Mike Powers of Portland and Jose Mendoza, along with relief specialist A.J. Balsinde, played crucial roles.

“Unbelievable,” said Trimper, who was responsible for bringing in Balsinde, Mendoza and Menendez, all of whom were teammates at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami last year.

“They’re just getting confidence,” Trimper said. “This is obviously great for our season, but it’s great for the future.”

McAvoy set the tone for the group, earning AE Rookie of the Year honors. He heads into NCAAs with a .362 batting average, seven home runs and 56 runs batted in.

The trio of full-time freshman starters that also includes Menendez (.293, 29 RBI) and Parker (.255, 24 RBI, 25 runners thrown out trying to steal) boasts a combined .306 batting average.

Throw in Cather (.272, 10 RBI, 12 stolen bases), who was sidelined for two weeks with a wrist injury, and late-season contributor Hackett, and the freshmen are batting .297.

“It’s great. This is what we deserve,” McAvoy said of the league title and NCAA berth. “We worked hard all year. It’s just paying off in the type of team that we are.”

The youngsters have been quick to credit their coaches and teammates for helping make their transition to college ball a successful one.

“It’s a sign of good coaching and good senior leadership paying off,” McGraw said. “They’re good players, so they just take that leadership and go out and mimic it.”

A pitching staff beset by injury, attrition and inexperience has been reinvigorated by its newcomers. Powers has emerged as the leader, compiling a 5-3 record and a 4.04 earned run average in 13 appearances, including nine starts.

Balsinde joined the team in January after transferring from Manhattan College. The lanky reliever (1-3, 4.96) has posted four saves, including one in each of the AE tourney wins.

Mendoza, a soft-throwing lefty, has come on strong late in the season. Since joining the starting rotation April 26, Mendoza is 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA.

Pat Moran of Winterport (1-2, 8.61, 1 save) and Mitch Clegg (1-1, 3.48) also have provided depth for the staff.

“They’re gamers, basically,” McGraw said. “They’re not hot-and-cold guys; they’re not streaky guys; they don’t let anything get to them.”

UMaine will need its freshmen to continue their strong play and maintain their poise in the NCAA Tournament.

“Every one of these freshmen are extremely talented,” Robinson said. “If they get a little bit of confidence and relax a little bit, they’re going to be just fine [in the tournament].”