FF boys on a roll
FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — The Tiger varsity baseball team is one of the younger squads in Class D this season. Coach John Ala has good numbers this season with 17 players on his squad, but 11 of those 17 are first-year varsity players. As one could expect from such as young team, the Tigers are learning and growing each and every time out.
Starting the season against perennial power Southern Aroostook and following that with a contest against a strong Washburn squad, the Tigers found themselves 0-2 to start. Since then, however, the Tigers had strung together five straight wins before finally losing to Ashland Monday. Their 5-3 mark has them sitting in ninth place in the Class D standings as of presstime, solidly in the playoff hunt.
The Tigers have only one senior on their squad in centerfielder Griffin Robles. Robles is returning from a wrist injury which has slowed him at the plate. He is getting stronger every day, and his bat is coming around as well. Robles will be a key to the Tigers’ success in the playoff run.
The junior class is represented by starting catcher Dalton Cassidy, starting third baseman Joshua Ricker, and starting leftfielder Thomas Krause. Cassidy is an outstanding defender and runs the team from behind the plate. He is solid offensively and provides outstanding leadership. Ricker has given the team quality at bats and is working hard every day to improve his approach. Krause loves the game and his enthusiasm is contagious. He is solid on both sides of the field and brings energy to the game.
Sophomores include John Bernard, Carter Bruce, Joon Gi Yu and Seth Cote. Bernard and Bruce are two of the primary pitchers for the Tigers and played key roles last year as well. Bernard sees action at first while not pitching while Bruce patrols right field. Both have the ability to be shutdown pitchers on a given day. Yu is an exchange student who is improving every day, while Cote sees action primarily in the outfield.
Rounding out the squad is a very strong freshman class. Jared Harvey is a solid player who is the team’s No. 1 pitcher. He plays short when not on the mound and has tons of natural ability. Isaac Cyr is a true rookie with minimal baseball experience. His athleticism is outstanding and he has been a key to the team’s early success. Dylan Jandreau starts at second base. He is currently returning from an injury and continues to be a quality player. Malcolm Langner has seen action as the designated hitter and in the outfield and has tons of ability. He is a plus player on both sides of the ball. Yoni Majia, Shane Sherwood, Chris Gill, Nick Krause and Liam McNamee are also working hard and have been able to give the team depth in severak positions.
“We are a tough team and I believe that we can play with anyone on a given day. Our defense has been solid and we have gotten some solid pitching performances as well. If we can continue to get timely hitting, we should continue to do well,” Ala said.
The veteran coach sees the continued improvement of the young players as a key to the team’s success.
“As long as they all play up to their potential, I’m excited about our prospects,” he explained. “We are getting more and more comfortable with the roles we have to fill, and it makes us a better team every time out. We are getting some good leadership from the upperclassmen, and the overall athletic ability makes us competitive each time out.”
