Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
BRINGING HEAT — Shire Isaiah Straubel fires a pitch to the plate against Presque Isle last week.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
HOULTON — The Houlton High School boys varsity baseball team has made it to the playoffs six times in seven years, and first-year coach Jim Castner is hoping to continue that streak.
The Shiretowners are a relatively young team with only three seniors, so Castner will be developing his underclassmen to help shoulder the load this spring on the field, as well as in the coming years.
The Shires have a solid core of players returning this season. Along with his three seniors, Castner has two juniors, five sophomores and three freshmen.
Playing for the Shiretowners are: seniors Jimmy Fitzpatrick, Isaiah Straubel and Dan Swallow; juniors Kole Buzzeo and Gage Hunt; sophomores Dan Howe, Jake Carter, Jake Condon, Jake Drew, Nick Hagan and Noah Holmes; and freshmen Parker Brewer, Ryan Dee and Billy Phillips.
Pitching depth will be crucial for the Shiretowners within a short season. Castner has Straubel, Buzzeo, Howe, Dee and Brewer all scheduled to see work from the mound. All are right-handers, except for Straubel who is the lone southpaw.
“My starting rotation is not set because of the nature of our schedule,” said Castner.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
CONNECTING — Houlton’s Jake Drew flattens the ball on this pitch during an April 23 baseball game against Presque Isle.
The Shiretowners lost three starting players from last year’s team — Hunter Hanning, Ian Bauersfeld and Doug Dickison.
“Our strengths are in our youth, energy and hustle,” said Castner of this year’s team.
The Shiretowners earned an opening 3-0 win against visiting Presque Isle last Tuesday.
Straubel threw a shutout, with seven strikeouts, while Drew delivered a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth and a run-scoring double in the first inning to support the offense.
Castner, who is being assisted by Jamie Hunt, has learned not to overlook any opponent.
“Every team is one to beat in our division,” said Castner. “We cannot afford to take any team lightly, overconfidence can hurt a team easily.”
