Info provided by coach Don Shields
2018 Oceanside Baseball Preview
Coach Don Shields (7th Year at Oceanside, 10th Varsity Season)
2017 Record (9-8 … lost to MDI in Pre Lim 1-0)
Seniors – Titus Kaewthong (C,OF,P), Logan Sheridan (P,3B,1B), Jack Freeman (P,1B,SS), Michael Dougherty (P,SS), Michael Norton, Jr (OF), Connor Harvey (OF), Hunter Davis (2B), Matt Waldron (P,3B,1B), Silas Miller (OF)
Juniors – Ben Ripley (P,INF), Uriah Thongaphaphone (P,INF), Cole Stevens (P,OF), Maguire LeBlanc (C,1B), Tim Mazzeo (OF,INF), Zach Cody (OF),
Sophomores – Karl Ilvonen (C,OF)
2 Players lost to graduation in 2017
Strengths –
Our Pitching Depth. We return all our starting pitching from last year and will look to Sheridan to be the Ace of the staff. Dougherty and Freeman pitched a number of innings for us last year and our pitching depth should allow us to take advantage of the pitch count rules that went into effect last year.
Our defense was solid last season and we will need to play strong defense again this year to take the stress off our pitching staff. Our infield is in tact from last year with the exception of 3rd base and our outfield has the speed to be one of the best defense outfields in the KVAC.
Needs Improving –
Timely hitting. We lost several one run games last year and battled to get that key hit to drive in runs. We are hoping that improves in 2018 with experience.
Staying Healthy. We lost several key players for a number of games to nagging injuries last season that I believe prevented us from going on a run. Avoiding those injury issues this season is necessary.
Overall-
We are a playoff team in a very deep Northern Maine Class B and we will play several of those strong teams during the regular season including Erskine Academy, Brewer, Hermon, Belfast and an up and coming Medomak Valley team. Add to that 2 crossover games with Class A Camden Hills and games against a young and improving Lincoln Academy and Morse from Southern B, we have a strong schedule and will need to be at our best every game this season.
