Undefeated BB&N Undefeated No More

Buckingham Browne & Nichols, a perennial league contender in the very competitive Independent School League, came into today’s encounter with the Wolverines undefeated after three games. They left the game a bit stunned - and certainly not undefeated - as the BA bats pounded three Knights pitchers for eighteen hits en route to a very convincing 14-1 victory. The hitting barrage was evenly distributed as all nine starters garnered at least one hit. Sean Gavin (Keene, NH) continued his torrid hitting with a triple and two doubles. Brandon Dutch (Monroe, CT) was close behind with a triple, double, and a single, while designated hitter Mike Murphy (Lancaster, MA) lashed out three singles. Shortstop Monte Marrocco (Winchester, MA) contributed a single and a double, centerfielder Bobby Williams (Wilmot Falls, MA) pitched in a single and a triple, and Pete Creamer (Groveland, MA) had a single and in the second inning crushed a mammoth home run that cleared the center field fence and nearly left the city limits of Cambridge. Wolverine starting pitcher Gavin Scott had the Knights’ offense pretty much in check the whole game, going the distance, yielding just three hits while setting down four on strikes for his second win of the season. The late return home gives the 3-3 Wolverines no time to relish their well-deserved victory as they prepare for their home opener tomorrow at 3:00 against the Holderness School.

Lumberjacks Provide Much-Needed Elixir

The 1-3 Wolverine baseball team traveled to Hebron Academy for their first MAISAD conference game looking for a remedy to their recent offensive woes. Well, the pitching staff for the Lumberjacks was more than accommodating as the BA bats exploded for sixteen hits, including ten for extra bases, on their way to a very lopsided score of 24-3. The hit parade that included seven doubles and three triples was led by Sean Gavin (Keene, NH) who had a single, two doubles, and a triple. Nathan Cook (Riverside, SC), Monte Marrocco (Winchester, MA), and Pete Creamer (Groveland, MA) each pitched in with two hits apiece. Starting pitcher Nate Cook picked up his first win of the season, tossing a two-hit shutout for the first three innings. Lane Garvey (Marlborough, MA) took over the pitching chores in the bottom of the fourth, but not before stepping up to the plate in the top of the same inning and burying a triple deep to left center field. Coach Brad Smith hopes this hit campaign will continue as the 2-3 Wolverines travel to Cambridge, MA, to take on ISL powerhouse Buckingham Brown & Nichols today at 4:30.

Wolverines Fall to Phillips Academy, 5-2

If thirty-five years of coaching baseball has taught Coach Smith anything, it is the fact that games are most always won or lost in the infield. Witness the stellar infield play in BA’s first win over Springfield College by the score of 14-6. However, the tables were turned in the cold and blustery confines of Andover Academy as the BA infield coughed up over a half dozen chances to get outs, giving Andover five unearned runs and suffering their third loss of the season by the score of 5-2. Wolverine starter Bobby Williams (Wilmot Falls, MA) deserved a better fate as he held Andover to just two hits over five innings, striking out six. Offensively, the Wolverines outhit Andover six to three, but could not mount any sort of rally. Brian Murray (Burlington, MA) continues to hit well as he singled to left in the third and doubled off the center field wall in the fifth. Now 1-3, the Wolverines will have a day to regroup before their first MAISAD conference game at Hebron Academy on Thursday.

Mustangs Nip Wolverines, 5-4

The Milton Academy Mustangs erased a two-run deficit and scored the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat the BA Wolverines 5-4 at Milton. The Mustangs struck first in the second inning, scoring two runs off of BA starter Sean Mullaney (Newton, MA). But the Wolverines came roaring back in the top of the third with three runs as Brandon Dutch (Monroe, CT) doubled home Monte Marrocco (Winchester, MA) and Sean Gavin (Keene, NH). Dutch score the third BA run on a sacrifice fly by Pete Creamer (Groveland, MA). BA added a single run in the fourth as Brian Murray (Burlington, MA) singled and alertly took second on an outfielder miscue. Murray advanced to third on a pass ball and scored on a Sean Gavin sacrifice fly. Mullaney settled down and held Milton scoreless for the next three innings before the Mustangs scored a single run in the bottom of the sixth, making the score 4-3 and setting the stage for their dramatic comeback in the seventh. Zach Walker (Hingham, MA) came in relief in the bottom of the seventh, and gave up the tying run sandwiched between a strikeout and an infield out. With the bases loaded and two outs, a hard line drive was misplayed, allowing the winning run to score, spoiling an otherwise fine team effort by the Wolverines. On the day, the BA offense was held to just four hits, missing several scoring opportunities as they stranded eleven base runners. Now 1-2, the Wolverines hope to even their record as they travel to Southern Maine Community College for a game on Friday.

Wolverines Split Double Header Opener

Shaking off the effects of two months of indoor practices and a four-hour bus ride, the Wolverine baseball team opened the 2009 season with a very impressive 14-6 win over Springfield College. Seeing “live” pitching for the first time, the Wolverine bats were silenced over the first two innings, but then erupted for seven runs in the third and seven more in the fourth. Monte Marrocco’s (Winchester, MA) two RBI single and Brian Murray’s (Burlington, MA) two RBI double highlighted the seven-run third inning. The Wolverines put the game out of reach in the fourth in large part by Sean Gavin (Keene, NH) who came up with the bases loaded and drove the first pitch 350 feet over the left field fence. BA starter Gavin Scott (Vienna, VA) pitched three shutout innings but tired in the fourth as Springfield struck back with six runs. Zack Walker (Hingham, MA) came in relief and pitched masterfully as he no-hit The Pride the rest of the way. BA’s infield defense of third baseman Brandon Dutch (Melrose, CT), shortstop Monte Marrocco, second baseman Sean Gavin, and first baseman Nathan Cook (Riverside, SC) played superbly, accounting for over half the outs and turning a nifty 6-4-3 double play.

Unlike the first game, inconsistent defensive play cost the Wolverines a chance for the sweep as they dropped the nightcap 12-4. However, the BA bats were equally effective as they banged out ten hits, including a double and a towering solo home run by Bobby Williams (Wilmot Falls, NH). Williams also had a triple and a single in the first game. For the day, the Wolverines belted out nineteen hits including two home runs, a triple, and three doubles.

As an alumni note, Steve Bittel (Goshen, CT), last year’s catcher for the 16-5 Wolverines, caught the first game for Springfield College.

The BA baseball team will travel to Milton Academy on Wednesday for a 3:30 contest.

Fall 2009

Bridgton Academy is pleased to announce a dramatically revamped fall sports schedule for the coming fall 2009 season. In particular, the spring sports of lacrosse and baseball will begin a full and aggressive fall schedule of practices and games, joining with the Academy’s traditional fall sports of football, soccer, and golf.

“This move ensures that all of our athletes, including those playing lacrosse and baseball, get a great opportunity for broad exposure to college coaches during the critical first half of their year at Bridgton,” said Brad Smith, the Academy’s Director of Athletics. “Given our athletes’ status as post-graduate students, recruiting focus on them must be in the fall before early decision and regular application deadlines, financial aid form due dates, and national letter of intent dates stack up throughout December, January, and February.”

This move builds upon the existing fall baseball and lacrosse programs and will ensure an exciting and very busy campus come September, October, and November. “We typically have some level of athletic training taking place for all of our student athletes during the fall, but this new emphasis will ensure that all of our athletes are fully engaged both academically and athletically right from the time they arrive on campus,” Smith said.

This change also alters the way the start of school with take place. Starting this fall, all students will report to campus at the end of August with the first week being filled with an intensive pre-season for the athletes mixed in with school orientation and other activities. Those not competing in varsity athletics will also report early to participate in experiential programs showcasing the great outdoors of Maine.

Bridgton has traditionally fielded strong football and soccer programs each fall, followed by nationally ranked prep basketball and junior hockey squads during the winter. However, spring sports have often dealt with difficult Maine winters, limiting access to fields until late March or early April. This annual challenge often meant Bridgton’s nationally recognized lacrosse program and perennially strong baseball program struggled to get in home games and get quality outdoor practice time.

In addition to the weather, there is another critical factor that makes the move opportunistic. College athletic recruitment tends to be very focused on the months of September through January. In order to maximize BA’s spring athletic programs’ exposure to interested college coaches, it only made sense to build a legitimate fall schedule, thus directly addressing college coaches’ scouting schedules and recruiting needs.

The Academy’s action adds to a fall athletics schedule that currently features a football team that plays a predominantly college JV schedule against schools such as Yale, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, and Holy Cross, among others. The soccer schedule is evolving towards a mix of college JV and NEPSAC (New England Prep School Athletic Conference) schools. The golf team will continue to play in the NEPSAC and MAISAD leagues. Baseball will play up to 16 games against college club teams and other year-round baseball programs. Lacrosse will participate in several college showcases as well as play 12-15 games versus college club teams and other U-19 select teams.

“We are excited about our decision. We feel it will give your young men a chance to better engage and get into the rhythm that is Bridgton Academy. Being a PG only school means we have to ensure that every day counts, knowing that there isn’t a “next year” for our students. We attack that challenge right alongside our students. It is one that we both embrace,” said Grady Vigneau, Bridgton’s Head of School.

Look for a finalized fall athletics schedule to published by mid-May or earlier.

Fall 2009 Athletic Schedule Getting a Facelift

The Athletic Director at Bridgton Academy recently announced a ramped up fall schedule for both Baseball and Lacrosse for this coming fall. This will make for a busy and exciting fall sports program at the school and give fans of Wolverine Athletics plenty of opportunities to see the teams in action. Look for a more detailed press release to follow.