The Piscataquis Community High School (PCHS) Pirates will have a new coach and some returning as they try and continue building the program.
“The Pirates are expecting to compete night in and night out within our schedule. Former Coach Jamie Kane did a great job of rebuilding a solid foundation upon which to grow,” PCHS Coach Brian Gaw said. “He has developed a positive culture within the team and the kids came in ready to work and enthusiastic about the season. We’re hoping to use what Coach Kane built and use it as a springboard for this year and the near future.”
The Chadbourne brothers (Matt and Scott) will anchor the pitching staff.
“For a pretty small school and low numbers we have a pretty solid core of returning pitchers and some younger ones that showed some really good potential at the end of the season last year and have improved on that so far in the preseason,” Gaw said. “Senior Matt Chadbourne and Sophomore brother Scott Chadbourne will anchor the pitching staff. Both like to pound the strike zone and make the other team put the ball in play. Tyrus Cobb and Ben Higgins will round out the starting pitching. Both of them have shown that they also can throw strikes with multiple pitches. Higgins adds a left handed arm to the ranks as well.”
The Pirates also have Alex Lyon and Dawson Simpson return and add experience to the lineup. PCHS will have young players that will step in and get significant playing time.
“Returning senior Alex Lyons, and junior Dawson Simpson add experience to the line up. Both will likely play multiple positions. First year senior Trevor Hathorne has shown a lot of promise and is picking this up very quickly. Newcomers Gaige Tracy and Quinten Blanchard will see a lot of action and also have the ability to play multiple positions. Jacob Beckwith, Devan Pelky, Sevren Lenihan are competing for starting positions and will provide some depth off the bench,” Gaw said. “We don’t have large numbers. Depth and some important roles will be a constant challenge. We are experimenting with and developing catchers on the fly. That will be a critical piece to our season.”
PCHS is scheduled to open the season with home games against Dexter on April 20th and Stearns on April 22nd.
