Staff Writer
The 2008 Caribou High School varsity baseball team boasts an upperclassmen heavy roster, which coaching staff hope to translate into a high ranking in the Class B standings and an even more successful season than last year. The 2007 Vikings ended their regular season in fourth place, and posted a 9-8 record.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
Caribou varsity baseball. The 2008 Vikings are, from the left in front, Jon Noyes, Brandon Caverhill, Matt Kinney, Jarryd Rossignol, Chad McCarthy, Pat Thibodeau and Seth Sager; in back, head coach Jimmie Thibodeau, manager Elizabeth Keaton, Mike Doucette, Eric Brown, Philip St. Peter, Sam Robertson, Cameron Anderson, Zac Dinsmore, assistant coach Tom Hale and manager Hannah Saucier; and, missing, Justin McLauchlan.
The returning Vikings gained valuable experience in last year’s season. “We played as the unknown or under dogs,” said head coach Jimmie Thibodeau of the 2007 games. “We won some big games to help put us high in the standings, but we came up short in the first round of playoffs due to errors.”
Having lost only two players, pitcher Dustin Haines and catcher Jordan Haines, five seniors form the core of the ’08 Viking squad. Seniors Jarryd Rossignl and Jon Noyes will lead the team as co-captains.
Rossignol is the top pitcher with a wily curveball, and also plays second base. Noyes catches from centerfield.
Other senior starters are Justin McLauchlan in the rightfield and Mike Doucette on first base. Junior Patrick Thibodeau starts in leftfield, and, according to coaching staff, is the team’s lead hitter. Junior Philip St. Peter starts on third base, but may also feature as the number-one or number-two pitcher with his controlled fastball. Juniors Eric Brown or Matt Kinney may start as shortstop. Finishing the starting lineup is junior Seth Sager behind the plate.
Other possible pitchers include McLauchlan, Thibodeau (a leftie) or Doucette.
Also donning the maroon uniforms are senior Zac Dinsmore (infield); juniors Chad McCarthy (catcher/outfield), Brandon Caverhill (infield) and Sam Robertson (catcher/infield); and sophomore Cameron Anderson (pitcher/first base).
“This year’s team is more committed to succeed,” commented Thibodeau. “They work hard, and gel better than last year.”
The squad especially looks forward to taking the field against their rivals the Presque Isle Wildcats and Old Town who always give some of the best competition.
Thibodeau is assisted in coaching by Tom Hale, and team managers are Elizabeth Keaton and Hannah Saucier.
