Season Preview

The Bridgton Academy baseball program starts a new chapter this fall, as the Wolverines will have a full fall baseball season for the first time in recent memory. Bridgton will be competing in the New England Club Baseball Association. The league consists of 14 teams, competing in three divisions, with a championship to follow regular season play. Bridgton is the only non-college or university team in the league. At the helm for his 12th year as head coach, Brad Smith and the Wolverines are coming off of back to back record setting spring seasons in ’08 and ’09 that saw them go 16-5 and 18-5 respectively.

Coach Smith is excited and optimistic about the addition of a full fall schedule saying, "On paper, this upcoming season should be the most challenging in the school's history for the simple reason that aside from Navy Prep, we play all colleges. Every game will be a challenge. But rather than dwelling on the fact that BA is the only prep school among thirteen colleges, we have developed the mind set that we're playing against nine guys and if we play well, we'll be successful."

The Wolverines schedule consists of 20 games, 12 conference games, with the remainder being filled in by local community colleges, and all star teams. Bridgton opens up their season on Wednesday the 9th against the Southern Maine Community College Sea Wolves, in South Portland. The home opener is slated for Sunday the 13th versus University of New England.

Joining Coach Smith will be first year assistants Troy Guidone, and Karl Olson. Guidone will be working with the infielders, while Olson will handle the pitching staff. Coach Smith is excited to have two assistants saying, “Both Troy and Karl have been tremendous additions to the program. Both have college playing experience at key positions: middle infield and pitching. Their collective efforts have certainly enhanced the level of coaching our guys receive."

The Wolverine roster includes 15 players, many of whom will factor in at various positions. Carrying the catching load will be Andrew Gummow (Brookline, MA), and Ryan Varounis (Burlington, MA) as they look to split duties behind the plate. Vying for starting spots in the middle infield positions and at third base are Sam Stauber (Cumberland, ME), Dustin Brown (East Falmouth, MA), and Nick Billingham (Edgartown, MA). All three could see additional time on the mound. First base will be by committee, as Zach Vouros (St. Charles, IL), Nate Palazzola (Gloucester, MA), and Johnny Doyle (Cockeysville, MD) are expected to see time. Returning as the veteran presence in the outfield will be Mike Murphy (Lancaster, MA), joining Murphy are Tad Gold (Vinyard Haven, MA), Tom MacInnes (Plymouth, MA), Gabe May (Portsmouth, NH), and Will Whittemore (Waltham, MA). The pitching staff looks to be deep with Whittemore, MacInnes, and Stauber seeing starting roles. May, Vorous, Billingham, and Doyle will see time out of the bullpen. Coming off of injuries and rehabbing, are Mike Bullet (Stamford, VT) and Mike Finnegan (Bow, NH). Once healthy, Bullet should slide into a starting spot in the rotation. Finnegan will see time as a utility player.

Smith believes his team can be successful with the key being; they play well defensively, not allow the other team extra outs and get some timely hitting.
Coach Smith added that the league will, "prepare these guys to play college baseball. That fact alone should be a great motivating factor for every player. It should be a great opportunity for our guys to play in front of college coaches."