BANGOR – He was on the team as an 11-year-old when his Little League team went to the state tournament. At age 12, his Little League team lost in the state tourney finals. In Babe Ruth League at the age of 15, his team lost in the state championship game.

After advancing to the regional semifinals twice in high school and losing both times, Kyle Stilphen entered his senior year with one overwhelming goal: to win a state championship.

“I’ve been so close before, so it was great to finally win one,” said Stilphen. “We’d been to the semifinals twice before, but lost to Brewer. I couldn’t have scripted this any better.”

Gardiner High School’s senior shortstop and pitcher thought the script ended with a state championship as his Tigers made it look easy in the Class B state final game. Then came the news that he’d been named the Gatorade player of the year for baseball in Maine.

Friday evening, Stilphen realized a longtime dream when he was named the 17th winner of the Dr. John Winkin Mr. Baseball Award, presented annually to Maine’s top senior player.

“This has got to be the top honor. It’s what I’ve been shooting for since I was a freshman,” Stilphen said. “It’s kind of overwhelming getting this award. There are a lot of great players in Maine, so to be picked as the best one is pretty special.”

Stilphen won the award over a field of fellow finalists including Bangor pitcher-infielder Ian Edwards, Wells pitcher-first baseman Demitrios Gatzogiannis, and pitcher-shortstop Jon Smith from Dirigo of Dixfield.

Making the occasion even more special was the unexpected appearance of the award’s namesake, former Colby College, University of Maine, and Husson College head baseball coach John Winkin.

“To have him here is great. I’ve never had a chance to meet him before,” Stilphen said.

Stilphen batted over .500 for the Tigers during the regular season while playing error-free ball from the shortstop position.

The 87-year old Winkin said even he wasn’t sure he’d be able to make the event, but said it was a thrill for him to be able to attend the ceremony at the artificial turf field at Husson College which is also named after him.

“After all the things I’ve been through in my lifetime, it meant a lot to have a chance to get back here,” said Winkin, who was in a wheelchair. “I love college baseball and being a part of it all. Not to be a part of it this year for the first time in my life, it’s nice to be back here.”

It was only the second time Winkin has been to Husson since he suffered a stroke in December.

“It feels great. They invited me to come, but I didn’t know if I could be released to come,” he said. “I’m just pleased they wanted me to come and I got a chance to get here. It’s really exciting to me.”

Steve Trimper, Stilphen’s head coach when he attends the University of Maine in the fall, was also on hand to watch Friday’s game.

“He’s one of the better hitters I’ve seen in many years,” Trimper said. “The thing that’s so nice about him is he has such strong hands, he’s going to adjust to the velocity difference in college. And that’s something that is one of the hardest adjustments for high school kids.

“He’s almost a five-tool type of player already because he can hit with power, run, throw and field. He’s one heck of an athlete.”

Trimper said he envisions trying Stilphen out at third base.

“I’m looking to move Jarrett Lukas, who’s also a great athlete and played third, to second and possibly making Kyle into our third baseman,” Trimper explained. “Eventually, we’d probably move him over to shortstop.”

That’s just fine with Stilphen.

“Wherever they put me is where I’ll play. I don’t really care where it is as long as I get to hit,” Stilphen said. “I can’t wait to get up there and see what I can do.”

aneff@bangordailynews.net

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