With just two seniors, Lincoln Academy’s baseball team is considered young, but a large contingent of juniors and sophomores have played in the Western Maine Class B championship game, which makes them more experienced than most.
The Eagles fought and lost in the West B championship game the past two years running. They are working hard and hoping the third time is the charm. “There are a lot of high expectations on this team, from myself and the team. There are three guys on the team that have played in that game (West B championship) for two years. They want more than anything to be back in that game and do better,” returning coach Greg Rice said.
Lincoln traveled to Massachusetts last weekend to play in two situational scrimmages with Wellesley and Cape Elizabeth. They started innings with men on base, and played everyone to see how players handled different situations. The trip gave the Eagles a great spring training opportunity and allowed them to practice outside for the first time this spring.
The only downfall was the team got “a little banged up on Saturday. I blame the MPA. With only five countable days, when you get outside they are not ready. You try to get ahead and have to push them too hard,” Rice said.
Seniors on the team include Ben McLain and Chris Chickering; juniors are Jeff Lamb (third year starting catcher), Brandon Reilly, Alex Cosgrove, Mardy Alden, Kyle Scherer and Everett Martin; and sophomores are Stephen Quinlan, Merritt Wotton, Dalton Leeman, Brandon Bonney, Nat Baptist, Jeff Cheney and Bo McLain.
Lincoln went 12-4 in 2009 and were seeded third in West Class B. The Eagles are looking to several players to fill the gaps left by graduating pitchers Eric Morgner and Gavin Joannides. “Brandon Reilly is clearly our ace,” Rice said. Also pitching will be Leeman, Baptist, and Cheney, an NYA transfer. Left handers Cosgrove and Scherer will pitch in relief and in special situations.
Rice expects the Eagles to be a solid hitting squad. He looks to Alden to be the team’s DH. “He’s got a great bat,” Rice said. Rice also looks to McLain and Reilly to provide consistent firepower at the plate.
Rice expects four or five teams in the KVAC “will vie for the top spot, including Lincoln Academy. Waterville should be fantastic. They have as many guys returning as I do.” He also expects that Gardiner and Medomak Valley will challenge for the league title.
The Eagles have preseason scrimmages at Cony on April 10 (11 a.m. and 1 p.m.), at Mt.Ararat on April 14 (3:30 p.m.), home against Erskine Academy on April 17 (11 a.m. and 1 p.m.), and home against Hall-Dale on April 20 (1 p.m.) They open their season home against Medomak Valley on Fri., April 23 at 1 p.m.
