Conference schedule begins soon for UMPI baseball
The University of Maine at Presque Isle baseball team only graduated one player last year, but lost several other players for a variety of reasons.
In all the Owls lost eight players from last year. Eight new players were added to the roster along with the eight returnees from 2009. Of the eight newcomers, seven are freshmen.
BASEBALL OWLS – Members of the UMPI baseball are, in front from left, Chris Cosenze, Stephen Thorne, Brian Saucier, Brian Andrews, Corey Fournier and Seth Dorr. Back row, student-assistant coach AJ Pennartz, Clint Carter, Ian Towle, Tyler Delaney, Corey Harding, DJ Charette, Jacob Fillebrown, Cody Humphrey, Ryan Hill, James Cirell, Josh Conroy and head coach Leo Saucier.
According to coach Leo Saucier, his team faces a shortage of pitching. Only six true pitchers are on the roster, along with three others who Saucier hopes will contribute.
Senior Corey Harding of Plymouth, an all-conference selection from last year, does return to lead the pitching staff. Harding is expected to start between eight and 10 games on the mound and will also play on the field when not pitching. Last year, he was also selected as the NCAA Division III All-Independent Conference utility player of the year.
Senior captain Tyler Delaney of Truro, Nova Scotia, an All-Canada selection for 2010, returns to play shortstop after having being named an all-conference selection at second base in 2009. He led the Owls in most of the offensive categories.
Another all-conference selection returns in senior captain D.J. Charette of Millinocket. A solid defensive first baseman, Charette serves as co-captain of the team along with Delaney.
The pitching staff welcomes three freshmen – Jake Fillebrown of Stoneham, Stephen Thorne of Dalhousie, New Brunswick and Ian Towle of Fort Fairfield. Along with Harding, these pitchers will see the majority of the starts on the mound. Junior Clint Carter of Washburn and sophomore Ryan Hill of Houlton will also contribute on the mound for the Owls.
Junior Seth Dorr of Houlton and junior Brian Andrews of Fort Fairfield will be splitting time at second base.
Freshman Cody Humphrey of New Gloucester and freshman Brian Saucier of Hermon will compete for the third base job.
Freshman Chris Cosenze of Old Town and freshman Josh Conroy of Dover will split time at catcher.
Corey Fournier of Bradley will play left field, Thorne will play center field when not pitching and Fillebrown and James Cirell of Bingham will vie for the right field job.
The UMPI baseball team finished second overall in Sunrise Conference play last season, and lost in the conference championship series against Fisher College of Boston.
The Owls are currently 2-12 on the year, having traveled on two big trips on the season – one to Virginia and North Carolina, and the most recent to the states of Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.
In addition to pitching problems, evidenced by the Owls allowing at least eight runs in 12 of their 14 contests, UMPI has also had a difficult time scoring runs, as the offense has been held to two runs or less in 10 of its games.
The highlight of the Owls’ recent trip was a doubleheader sweep of Philadelphia Biblical University last Wednesday by scores of 12-4 and 9-8 for the team’s only victories of the season.
UMPI next travels to Waterville take on Colby College for a single game on Friday and a doubleheader Saturday.
UMPI Baseball Results/Schedule
Date Opponent Result
Feb. 16 at Southern Virginia University Lost, 1-11
Feb. 16 at Greensboro (N.C.) College Lost, 1-17
Feb. 19 at Southern Virginia University Lost, 1-11
Feb. 19 at Averett University Lost, 10-28
Feb. 20 at Southern Virginia University Lost, 1-11
March 21 at Swarthmore College Lost, 0-12
March 21 at Swarthmore College Lost, 1-13
March 23 at Moravian College Lost, 2-14
March 24 at Philadelphia Biblical University Won, 12-4
March 24 at Philadelphia Biblical University Won, 9-8
March 25 at College of Staten Island Lost, 2-13
March 26 at Briarcliffe College Lost, 7-15
March 27 at Ramapo College Lost, 1-8
March 27 at St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) Lost, 1-5
Date Opponent Result
April 2 at Colby College 4 p.m.
April 3 at Colby College (2) 11 a.m.
April 9 Castleton State College (Vt.) 1 p.m.
April 10 at Fisher College in Boston (2) * 2 p.m.
April 11 at Fisher College in Boston (2) * Noon
April 15 at UM-Farmington 3 p.m.
April 16 at Southern Vermont College 3 p.m.
April 17 at Vermont Tech (2) * 1 p.m.
April 18 at Vermont Tech (2) * Noon
April 21 at Bates College (2) 1 p.m.
April 24 SUNY-Canton (2) * 1 p.m.
April 25 SUNY-Canton (2) * Noon
April 30 Sunrise Conference Tournament TBA
Home games
* Sunrise Conference games
UMPI Baseball Roster
No. Name Grade
1 Brian Andrews Jr.
2 Stephen Thorne Fr.
3 Corey Harding Jr.
4 Corey Fournier Jr.
6 Clint Carter Jr.
7 Tyler Delaney Sr.
8 Chris Cosenze Fr.
11 Brian Saucier Fr.
12 Seth Dorr Jr.
15 Jake Fillebrown Fr.
16 Ian Towle Fr.
21 Josh Conroy Fr.
22 Ryan Hill So.
23 James Cirell Jr.
26 Cody Humphrey Fr.
27 D.J. Charette Sr.
Head coach: Leo Saucier
Assistant coach: A.J. Pennartz
Manager: Landon York