Local players have enjoyed a productive week on the baseball and softball diamonds at the University of Southern Maine.

Magan Blais of Sabattus (Oak Hill High School) captured her second straight Little East Conference Rookie of the Week honor. Blais batted a hefty .444 during the week, clouting 12 hits and knocking in eight runs.

Thirty games into her freshman campaign, Blais, who can catch as well as play third base, is tied for second on the team with a .391 average. She has delivered four doubles, a triple and two home runs with 21 RBIs.

Sophomore outfielder Meghan Ford of Mechanic Falls (Poland Regional High School) cracked an RBI single Tuesday to lead USM past Plymouth State, 9-7, in the second game of a doubleheader.

Ford has driven in four runs in 25 starts. Her strongest contribution comes in the field, where Ford has been charged with one error this season.

The Huskies (14-16) have also received a boost from Dawn Ross of Gray, a .320 hitter, and freshman pitcher Danielle Potvin of Sabattus, who has started eight games.

Two local pitchers ran their record to 2-0 for the Southern Maine baseball club this week.

Andrew Stacy of Denmark (Fryeburg Academy) recorded four outs in Tuesday’s wild, 19-13 win at Bates. Stacy enjoyed an even better afternoon at the plate, driving home four runs.

Stacy’s versatile season statistics include a 3.91 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 23 innings and a .406 average with eight RBIs.

Auburn’s Brady Blackman (St. Dominic Regional High School) has found a spot in the crowded USM rotation, as well. Blackman bagged his second victory of the spring Monday in an 11-9 triumph over Colby. Dustin Gilbert of Turner also worked in the ninth inning to help the Huskies nail down the victory.

Josh Armandi of Jay, who missed almost the entire 2006 season and is recovering from September shoulder injury, has made three brief, successful appearances as nationally ranked Southern Maine attempts to work him back into his freshman and sophomore form.

Helping Leopards change spots

Winning seasons haven’t been plentiful for the Wentworth Institute of Technology baseball program, but senior infielder Brent Grenier is helping lead the Boston bunch to new heights this spring.

Grenier, an Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School product, knocked a two-run single to center field to spark a seven-run seventh inning Saturday in Wentworth’s 12-0 victory over Anna Maria College.

With a doubleheader sweep, Wentworth advanced to 10-16 on the season. It’s the first time the Leopards have achieved double-digit victories since 1997.

Hit parade continues

Mike Chamard hasn’t stopped tearing up the North Atlantic Conference.

The junior outfielder from Livermore Falls has swung a scorching bat for Thomas College of Waterville. As of Monday, Chamard leads the NAC in batting average (.547) and on-base percentage (.583), stands second with a .688 slugging percentage and is fourth with 35 hits.

Quick hits

The Bates College men’s track team clinched its sixth straight State of Maine outdoor championship over the weekend. Matt Capone of Auburn (Edward Little) won the 100- and 200-meter dashes, and Steve Monsulick of Kents Hill (Maranacook) secured important points with his finishing kick in the 5,000. Junior Noah Gauthier also swept the hammer throw, discus and shot put. Up next for the Bobcats: The NESCAC championship meet this weekend at Middlebury, Vt.

Lauren Overlock batted .538 to win NAC Player of the Week laurels for the University of Maine at Farmington softball team. Overlock lashed out at least one hit in all eight games for the Beavers, who are 10-2.

Copy the Story Link