Team leaders Mt. Abram baseball may be heading in an exciting direction this season with a strong focus from senior leaders and captains. Pictured are (left to right) captains Dylan Tisor, Tim Smith, Aaron McGinness and Mark Wahl. Not pictured is captain Hank Poulin. (David Hart photo) SALEM -– The Mt. Abram boys’ baseball team will be a team to follow this coming season. The team has a good percentage of returning starters, is joined by two new Mt. Blue players and has shown some of the best team chemistry in years.

“The team is looking really good this year,” head coach Ryan Palmer explained. “One thing I really like this year… is the kids are bringing a whole lot of energy to practice. They want to practice. As a coach you want your players to want to come to practice to get better. The senior leadership that we have this year is bringing that energy everyday,” Palmer said.

“These guys just want to practice. They don’t look to take time off,” Coach Barry London explained. “They’re not looking to stand around. They’re looking to improve their game and it starts from the top. These guys want to play ball. I tell them it starts with every pitch and every drill. We’re not looking at wins we’re looking at plays. That’s why we do it… it’s the love of the game,” London said.

An unusual thing for Mt. Abram or for any team is having two hard-throwing left handed pitchers. Aaron McGinness is back in his senior year and throwing harder than ever and is joined by southpaw Tim Smith. Smith was Mt. Blue’s number one starter last year and transferred to MTA.

“This is going to be a real advantage,” McGinness explained. “This is going to be unstoppable, sort of like a one-two. We’re definitely going to be one of the top teams and the best team that I played with so far.”

“We already have good team chemistry and are all working together really well,” Smith explained. “It great

to work with Aaron, I’ve never had another strong left handed pitcher to work with. I’m excited. From what I’ve seen, I think we’re going to be able to put the bat on the ball. There is a lot of encouragement around this ball club,” Smith explained.

Last year both Smith and McGinness were clocked at 86 mph from the left side and are even stronger this year as seniors.

Palmer didn’t call his pitchers a onetwo punch; instead he referred them as a one-one punch. They both bring such equal depth as hurlers, Palmer said. “They both throw hard, both lefties and both have a heck of a tail on the ball,” Palmer explained. “They’re hitting their spots really well and it’s still so early. In Western C if they’re hitting the outside corner, no one’s going to touch it.”

Palmer said that his two lefties have become good friends right from the start. “They might even create a little friendly rivalry and try to outdo each other in each game. That’s definitely a good thing.”

Palmer also mentioned that his sophomore Josh Beedy will also get some starts and see a good amount of time on the mound in relief. Beedy will play the hot corner if not pitching.

Senior catcher Dylan Tisor said he started his high school career with just a couple of wins as a freshman. The team improved to four wins the following year and went 8-8 last season to make the playoffs. “Hopefully this year we can put together our one-two lefty combo and double that or even go undefeated,” Tisor explained.

Senior Mark Wahl said he looks forward to games with Livermore Falls and Lisbon, but said the team he looks forward to beating most is Dirigo. Smith said he’d like to knock St. Dom’s out in the conference championships or post season.

After initially thinking that first base was open, with Hank Poulin not returning from Carrabassett Valley Academy, the senior captain is back and excited to be with this group.

Wahl said he was psyched that his fellow captain returned to MTA. “Definitely, we need him; he always puts the bat on the ball as our number three hitter and a heck of a first baseman,” Wahl explained.

Also joining the team coming from Mt. Blue is Damian Daggett who Palmer says is showing great potential as a hitter and middle infielder.

Being outside and on the field in early April is huge for this ball club and quite a surprise for any Mt. Abram ball club. Palmer said he had indoor practice plans for the next two weeks and can’t believe they’re outside already. “It’s unbelievable.”

Palmer said when he first started they played three regular season games before they were able to even practice on their own field.

Palmer had a lot of good things to say about his individual players and in particular his senior captains. “I named all five kids captains for a reason and I think they’ll be great for this team.”

“I would be very disappointed if we lose more than four games this season,” Palmer said.