The 2017 Central Red Devils baseball team will be hoping to build on a successful 2016 campaign. The Red Devils finished the regular season third in the class C Maine Principals’ Association heal point standings.
Central will have seven players returning. The Red Devils were able to finish third in the standings with a 9-7 record, thanks to one of the toughest schedules in the state.
“All of the teams that we play present a different challenge. I believe that we may have been the only team in the state that in 2016 every team we played was a playoff team. That’s why we can go 9-7 and finish in the top four. We have done it two years in a row, number four in 2015 and last year number three. No cupcakes on the schedule,”Central coach Pete Speed said. “Obviously in class C, GSA is always good. Well coached and always doing enough to win. Orono, MA, and Dexter will have some great players returning. The rest of the teams seemed like they were on the rise as well. We start with probably the toughest matchup, in Hermon. Not in our class but we get them two times in the first week. That is definitely going to be tough.”
The biggest challenge for Central will be replacing two starters lost to graduation.
“We expect to be right back in the mix, we did lose two key starters but are bringing back seven starters. Our bench is pretty tough as well,”Speed said. “The two positions we lost last year were pretty key. So we are looking at a few different options right now. That may be a challenge early in the season but we will figure it out.”
With new pitch count rules some teams may be at a disadvantage, especially if games get backed up because of early season postponements. Speed feels like he has enough pitching depth where that won’t be a major factor for the Red Devils.
“With the new pitching rules I think we are going to be in a good spot,”Speed said. “We have six solid kids that could go out and pitch and I would feel comfortable with any of them.”
Central has seen a lot of the opposing teams best pitchers in recent years. That will have the Red Devils prepared for a schedule that will not be any easier in 2017.
“Offensively, again only losing two starters we should be in good shape. Lots of experience and lots of at bats last year against most teams #1 or #2 pitcher. So we have seen a lot of good pitching over the last few seasons,”Speed said. “The schedule will be tough. We just need to be mentally tough and prepared for a battle every game.”
Caleb Shaw, Andrew Speed, Ethan Mailman, and Dakota Miller will provide senior leadership. Shaw is one of the top pitchers in class C. He is also a solid defensive shortstop with a big bat and a ton of athletic ability. Speed is a very good defensive catcher with a big bat in the lineup. Mailman has a strong outfield arm that can provide punch in the lineup. Miller can play multiple positions in the infield and outfield. Gage Poulin and Micah Ward will be among the key underclassmen. Poulin and Ward will both throw key innings on the mound.
Schedule
4/18- at Hermon- 4:30 PM
4/20- VS Dexter- 4:30 PM
4/24- VS Hermon- 4:30 PM
4/26- @ Bucksport- 4:30 PM
5/1-@ George Stevens – 4:30 PM
5/3- VS Bangor Christian- 4 PM
5/8- VS Bucksport-4:30 PM
5/10- @ Mattanawcook- 4:30 PM
5/12- @ Dexter- 4:30 PM
5/15- VS Mattanawcook- 4:30 PM
5/17- VS Penquis- 4:30 PM
5/19- @Bangor Christian- 4 PM
5/22- VS Orono- 4:30 PM
5/26- VS George Stevens- 4:30 PM
5/30- @ Penquis- 4:30 PM
5/31- @ Orono- 4:30 PM
