Husson hopes for healthful conclusion to southern swing

Husson College baseball coach John Winkin isn’t asking for much as the second and final week of his team’s spring trip continues.

He simply would like to be able to put the lineup he wants on the field.

“The stomach flu has run through our team,” said Winkin. “It’s been amazing how we’ve been hit by this. And there has also been a lot of coughing. Monday, we had at least five guys we couldn’t use for one reason or another. We have been playing largely with a makeshift outfield or makeshift infield.

“Hopefully, we’ll have everybody back for the first time [Wednesday],” said a cautiously optimistic Winkin.

The Eagles will enter today’s game against Framingham State College (Mass.) with a 1-8 record.

But Winkin said, “I’m not discouraged at all.

“I know we have to live through this stuff. What else can you do?”

He said his only disappointment has been that his team has “failed to make the big pitch, failed to make the big play and, more often than not, hasn’t been getting the big hit when we’ve needed it.

“We’ve had gorgeous weather, we’ve played real good teams and gotten good experience. We’ve paid the price for any mistakes we’ve made,” said Winkin.

If there has been a silver lining, several players who weren’t expected to see much playing time have gained valuable experience that will improve the Eagles’ depth, according to Winkin.

Husson’s primary concern is its run production.

Gone are its top three hitters: Jason Harvey (.444-6 homers-44 RBIs), Justin Spencer (.428-8-62) and Chris McInnis (.350-0-24), along with Sean Brawn (.295-4-36). Spencer, Harvey and Brawn hit all of Husson’s homers last spring.

“Our main problem has been hitting with men on base,” said Winkin.

However, he said he likes the top of the order and feels it has good potential.

Senior second baseman Danny White of Dover-Foxcroft, who hit .301 last year and scored 46 runs, leads off and is followed by Bucksport senior shortstop Adam Sheehan (.324, 26 RBIs), freshman designated hitter Dennis Graham and sophomore third baseman Nick Arthers, a Belfast native who transferred from the University of Maine.

Veazie sophomore Jeff Miller is the leading returning hitter (.344, 20 RBIs) and will play right field. Sophomore George Keefe of Glenburn, who had just one at-bat a year ago, has had an impressive spring and, according to Winkin, may have earned the starting left field job.

Senior Bryan Biggers, a safety on the football team who hasn’t played baseball in a few years, is an excellent defensive center fielder according to Winkin.

Brewer junior Andrew Patterson (.266, 18 RBIs) is back at first base and the catchers will be Hermon sophomore Brian McGinley (.228) and Bucksport freshman Joe Robicheau.

The pitching staff returns virtually intact with Travis Tripp (3-4, 7.12 earned run average) being the only loss.

Corinth senior James Gray (6-1, 2.50), Bangor sophomore Anthony DeRosa (6-1, 4.35), Presque Isle sophomore Chad Lavway (3-5, 4.22), Hampden’s Chris Pease (3-2, 4.13) and Hermon’s Keith Nason (3-1, 4.35) will be in the starting rotation along with Augusta’s Bob Webber, who is returning from elbow surgery that sidelined him last year.

Nason could also be used in relief. The other relievers will be Jon Tefft (1-2, 4 saves, 4.66), Union’s Sam Adolphsen (2-0, 3.38, 2 saves), Patterson (0-0, 3.55), Lee’s Gerry Worster (0-0, 8.38) and Hampden freshman Chris Morris.

Tefft (.214) and Lavway (.286) can play in the outfield; Bangor sophomore P.J. Dowe is a first baseman and catcher and Newburgh sophomore Billy Shannon (.167) can play the infield or outfield.