Staff Writer
Set on the right path by last season’s core of four senior leaders, the 2008 Presque Isle varsity baseball team looks to improve their record and once again become a force to be reckoned with in Class B baseball.
Dan McCue, Logan York, Chris Beaulieu and Luke Ireland led last year’s young Wildcat team in gaining the experience they needed to make this year successful.
“We had a very nice group of seniors that helped to guide this young team in the right way,” said head coach Tim Olore. “Their sportsmanship, work ethic and ability to treat new and young players with respect, set the program in the right direction.”
Olore has already begun to see the benefits of last year’s guidance during the early training. “Pre-season is going very well because we have a team with a strong work ethic, players that want to be here and a team with a great attitude,” said Olore.
The projected starting lineup for the 2008 Wildcats begins with junior Eric Morris who, according to Olore, excels as a contact-hitter. Senior Bennett Cassidy, co-captain, steps to the plate second. Cassidy hit to a .318 batting average over his career, and also plays in centerfield, first base or on the pitching mound. Senior Adam Kingsbury adds his leadership skills to the team playing at first base and in rightfield. Sophomore Matt Chasse will swap between rightfield, behind the plate and the pitching mound.
Senior co-captain Nic Gallant will play from second base and pitch for the Wildcats. Sophomore Brennen Shaw may go first to the plate for PIHS as well boasting a .386 batting average. Shaw also pitches and plays shortstop. Sophomore Dillon Kingsbury will take up a position in leftfield unless he’s on the pitcher’s mound. Sophomore Steven Ford will feature behind the plate, while sophomore Amos Dean will swap from third base to shortstop. Sophomore Ethan Braley will play first base and pitch for the Wildcats.
Beginning the pitching rotation is Cassidy followed by a group of sophomore players Shaw, Braley, Chasse and D. Kingsbury. “There’s a lot of potential in this sophomore class,” commented Olore.
Also playing for the Big Blue are sophomores Nate Ackerson and Zac Campbell.
Despite last year’s losses with a record of 5-11, the Wildcats have high expectations of themselves for the upcoming spring season. “We are a year older, and we now have experience,” said Olore. “This team is hungry to play baseball. There are no teams on our schedule that we can overlook. We have something to prove, and we remember how teams defeated us. One day will come and the Wildcats will be back.”
Olore is assisted in coaching by Tim McCue. Team managers are Jordyn Kinney and Kaitlin Lambert.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
PRESQUE ISLE BASEBALL – The 2008 Wildcats are, from the left in back, head coach Tim Olore, Amos Dean, Adam Kingsbury, Bennett Cassidy, Ethan Braley, Dillon Kingsbury, Nate Ackerson and assistant coach Tim McCue; in front, manager Kaitlin Lambert, Matt Chasse, Brennen Shaw, Eric Morris, Steve Ford, Zac Campbell and manager Jordyn Kinney; and, missing, Nic Gallant.
