Shiretowners showing a good mix of talent

By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    The Houlton High School baseball team opened their season on Monday.
    Before the season started, the Shires were working on their game.
    “We primarily focus on conditioning and mechanics,” said Graham. “We do lots of work with stations that include fielding, throwing, soft toss, run downs, bunting and lots of hitting in the cage. It’s not the ideal situation, but we make it work and try to keep everyone busy.”
OUT — Umpire Dick Gardiner gets ready to make the call, as Houlton’s Chris Anderson applied the tag to a PVHS runner sliding into base in Houlton’s opener Monday. The Shires lost 7-4 in extra innings.
    The Shiretowners graduated three seniors — Corey Woodworth (left field), Jordan Bragan (infielder) and Josh Harvey (catcher) — from last year’s ninth-seeded team, which lost to Orono 4-3 in the preliminary round of the playoffs.
    “I believe we have a good mix of talent returning,” said Graham “Our goal this season will be a little higher and hopefully finish somewhere in the top six and avoid a prelim game.”
    With all returning pitchers back — Ian Gervais, Chris Anderson, Hunter Hanning and Parker Sanderson — the Shires added transfer students Isaiah Straubel (GHCA) and Matt Birmingham (Katahdin) into the rotation.
    “Isaiah and Matt, both sophomores, give us some depth in our starting pitching,” said Graham.
    Straubel is the lone southpaw in the pen for the Shires and Birmingham, when not on the mound, fills the catching position left empty by graduation.
    Returning senior Gervais is coming off a stellar season a year ago, finishing with a 4-2 record and a 1.11 ERA, with 46 strikeouts in 36 innings of work.
Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
SWING — Houlton’s Cody Briggs follows through on his swing after connecting for a hit during Monday’s game at Community Park.
    “I’m in hopes that Ian, along with senior Chris Anderson, and Isaiah will give us a very good 1-2-3 punch,” said Graham. “Hunter, Parker and Matt will also likely see lots of time on the mound.”
    Back to anchor the infield are veterans Mike Ring (third), who was the team’s leading hitter a year ago with a .353 batting average; Sanderson (shortstop); Gervais (second base/pitcher); Jimmy Fitzpatrick (center field); Hanning (first base/pitcher); Tanner Caron and Doug Dickison (both outfielders).
    Aaron Faulkingham is back and makes a “nice utility infielder,” said Graham. Also back after a year’s absence is Cody Briggs, who Graham said would likely see lots of outfield time and first-baseman Ben Flewelling joins the team for his first season.
    “The numbers are once again very good,” Graham said. “We had 25 boys tryout for the team and therefore we will field a junior varsity team that will play roughly a 10-game schedule. Jamie Hunt will be back for his second season at the JV level.”